UCC Hosts GVSU Staff and Students on a Study Abroad Programme

A team of 26 students and four faculty members from the Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in the United States are currently undertaking a Study Abroad programme at the University of Cape Coast. The Study Abroad Programme which forms part of UCC-GVSU collaboration is an initiative between the Department of Public Health of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, UCC and Public Health Nursing, GVSU. It began in 2013 with the aim of establishing and improving links and partnership with local and international collaborators in the area of Public Health. Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Prof. A. N. M. Pappoe said the programme has come to stay since it has become an annual affair. He also added that the programme has been successful due to the collective support and commitment of the partners. Prof. Pappoe said the aim of the collaborative programme was to engage with community members, educate them on health promoting activities and also change negative perception about illnesses and diseases. The Dean hoped the programme would provide both faculty and students the opportunity to get to know each other and to forge and consolidate the existing bonds of friendship. “It will enable faculty from both institutions to explore ways of strengthening the relationship”. He added, “We look forward to collaborative research and faculty exchange involving the School of Nursing and Midwifery and GVSU”. Giving an overview of the University, the Dean of Centre for International Education, Prof. Rosemond Boohene, noted that UCC considered Internationalisation seriously that was the main reason why the Centre was set up in the year 1994 to take charge of all international activities. The current trend in higher education according to Prof. Boohene was to train and groom students to acquire global world-view thereby becoming global citizens. This, she said, would make the students fit in wherever they find themselves on the globe. She said, “International Education is so dear to our heart, so we will make our curriculum international so that we will be understood everywhere”. The Provost of College of Health and Allied Sciences, Prof. H. S. Amonoo-Kuofi, who chaired the function, urged the visiting GVSU group not hesitate to ask questions about whatever they observe since their hosts were ready to offer them the right answers. Prof. Amonoo-Kuofi called on the visitors to study the health systems here and compare to that of the US to identify the similarities and differences to make them understand how each of the two systems operate and come out with recommendations where necessary. “Do not hesitate to ask questions, because what you are coming to do will help us find solutions to some of our social problems”. He said some of the issues they would come across could serve as good topics for their research.