UHAS, Ghana signs MoU with York University, Toronto, Canada

Senior Researchers from York University, Toronto, Canada paid a 2-day working visit to the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho (UHAS). The purpose of the visit is to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UHAS and also brief the University Management on their Dahdaleh Global Health Research programme.

In his welcome address, Professor Seth Owusu-Agyei, the Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor of UHAS said the University has specific aspirations for collaborations. Some of these aspirations he said are research, joint grant applications, faculty development, faculty exchange / sabbatical, student exchange, joint programmes and technology transfer. Professor Owusu-Agyei related that UHAS has for the past six years since its inception managed to build a strong reputation as a competitive academic and intellectual institution; has just launched and brought into force a strategic planning process, continue to pursue its vision and mission passionately and has over the years built a number of effective international collaborations.

The Registrar, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo also reiterated UHAS’ focus on effective collaborations and called on all stakeholders to ensure that the implementation of the MoU between York University and UHAS meets the expectations of both institutions.
The International Relations Manager of York University, Professor Julie Hard in a presentation on York University (Toronto, Canada) said the University’ main goal is to ensure that people live healthy lifestyles and ultimately have a long life span. She also said the pursuit of social justice is a unique feature of York University.

Professor Joseph Mensah, a Ghanaian faculty member at York University, who was part of the delegation used his turn to shed more light on York University. He said among other things that it is the third largest university in Canada and well known for its commitment to excellence in teaching and research. He is therefore optimistic that the collaboration with York University will birth many success stories.

Professor Beryl Pilkington of School of Nursing, York University, briefed the meeting on the Ghana-Canada Global Health Research Partnership programme. The programme which is to create a common platform for the promotion of global health research is under the auspices of the Canadian Coalition for Global Health Research (CCGHR) and UHAS has signed up to be an active partner.

Professor Pilkington said the programme is anchored on the principles of commitment to the future, authentic partnership, inclusion, humility, responsiveness to causes of inequities and shared benefits. These, she said, must be upheld by all researchers, funders and students on the programme.

UHAS Deans and Faculty Members present at the meeting used the opportunity to express their specific areas of research interest.

Among the delegates from York University were Ms. Carol Krywenky, Executive Assistant, York University, Professor Julie Hard, International Relations Manager, Faculty of Health, York University, Professor Beryl Pilkington, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, York University, Professor Joseph Mensah, Chair, Department of Geography, York University, Dr. Kofi Bobi Barimah, Research Director, Catholic University College, Ghana.

UHAS was represented by the Acting Pro-Vice Chancellor, Professor Seth Owusu-Agyei, the Registrar, Dr. Cynthia Sena Kpeglo, the Director of International Programmes, Professor Francis Bruno Zotor, Deans and Faculty Members.