The French Ambassador to Ghana has paid a courtesy call on the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo on Thursday, 17th February 2022 at the Council Chamber.
Her Excellency (H.E) Mrs. Anne-Sophie Avé, who was accompanied by the Head of Cooperation and Cultural Action, Mr. Alexandre Foulon and the Head of Campus France, Mrs. Melanie Durman, were welcomed by the Pro-Vice Chancellor and some members of University Management for making time to visit KNUST.
Mrs. Avé, indicated that the purpose of their visit was to supervise ongoing projects by the Embassy in KNUST and join in the 5th Enstoolment Anniversary celebration of the Asantehemaa, Nana Ama Konadu Yiadom III.
According to Her Excellency, KNUST is one of the leading universities in Ghana that has established 11 partnerships with French universities. She said that with support from the Campus France Department of the Embassy, Ghanaian students and institutions are guided to find the appropriate universities and courses in France, as well as explore the numerous scholarships and partnership opportunities available to them.
‘Ghanaian students are appreciated by French universities because of their skills, impressive academic performances and the capacity to adapt, learn French easily and make the most of their time,’ she added.
Mrs. Avé stated that the Embassy has a Department that embraces culture and heritage, and as a result, they have partnered with the Ministry of Culture to promote Africa's history and learn more about the Ghanaian culture. To this end, she disclosed the Embassy’s involvement in the refurbishment of historical buildings in the Ashanti Region.
The Ambassador revealed her plans to visit some students at the Alliance Française and the Department of Language and Communication Sciences of KNUST.
Professor Owusu-Dabo, who welcomed the delegation noted that KNUST seeks to deepen its partnerships in terms of staff and students exchange programmes. ‘We appreciate and acknowledge the relationship we share and look forward to consolidating new areas of collaborations,’ he said.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor urged the delegation to support the Vice-Chancellor’s vision to support needy students with laptops in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic as a way of strengthening the relationships. He added that Management is working assiduously to establish a Cultural Centre at the KNUST Library to showcase different cultural heritage and history. He hoped that the Ambassador would donate some historical books in that regard.
The Head of the Department of Language and Communication Sciences, Dr. Solace A. Yankson, took the delegation through the courses offered in her Department. She called on the Embassy to assist with the processing of documents for the ‘YEAR-ABROAD’ programme to enable more students from the French Department of KNUST to study in France.
Dr. Solace lauded the Ambassador for her donations to the Department to improve students’ proficiency in the French Language.