A four-member delegation from Higher Education Partners (HEP) led by Dr. Justyna Dymersk, Chairperson of HEP USA, has paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson. The meeting, held on 24th January 2024, seeks to foster a partnership aimed at advancing the quality of education through online learning.
Dr. Dymersk, expressing the commitment of HEP as a reputable company, affirmed that the partnership would bring credible and valuable benefits to KNUST. She disclosed that HEP, recognised as a global leader in expanding access to higher education, specialises in providing access to quality and affordable higher education through the online delivery of instruction for short and full online courses.
As the foremost provider facilitating the transition of universities to the online sphere, she added that HEP aims to contribute to the transformation of lives through higher education in Africa and beyond. “We believe very strongly in the social vision of needing to provide an education to help people advance their lives and careers,” she said.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson asserted that, among various tools and resources, education stands as a paramount weapon to transform lives. She highlighted the need to embrace the online space for continuous learning, free from any hindrance. She added that KNUST is on a journey to train transformational leaders for Ghana and the continent. In achieving this goal, she highlighted the imperative need for strategic partnerships.
The Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, highlighted HEP's engagement with universities in exploring transnational education. He disclosed that discussions have been underway to integrate the KNUST E-Learning Centre (KEC) as a pivotal component of the partnership.
The Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Eric Appau Asante, disclosed ongoing conversations regarding the roadmap for the partnership and the potential introduction of online short courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Accompanying Dr. Dymersk were Nicholas Kendall, CEO of HEP Africa; Varaidzo Mhangami, Managing Director of HEP South Africa; and Linda Deigh, Director of University Partnership Ghana.
Also present at the meeting from KNUST were the Registrar, Mr. Andrews Kwasi Boateng; Dean of Quality Assurance and Planning Office (QAPO), Professor Jerry John Kponyo; Deputy Registrar (Academic Affairs), Mrs. Magaret Afi Dzisi; Deputy Registrar (Legal Services), Mr. Isaac Berko; Senior Assistant Registrar (Admissions Office), Mr. Charles Asamoah-Boateng; Assistant Registrar (IPO), Mrs. Yvonne Baiden; and Assistant Registrar (KEC), Mr. Christopher Addo.