The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi has hosted a delegation from the University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Benin, under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, to discuss plans to renew a long-standing partnership aimed at deepening academic collaboration.
Former Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Scholars Program Professor Williams Otto Ellis who led the delegation revealed, "The University of Abomey-Calavi is a partner institution under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Over the years, we have planned to visit them to better understand how they run their Scholars Program, particularly as a francophone institution with a student population similar to ours, about 85,000. Today marks the beginning of that engagement, and we decided to pay a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor to introduce the delegation and facilitate some interaction."
He added that, beyond the Scholars Program, the delegation is interested in building a broader institutional relationship with KNUST.
Professor Nelly Carine Kelome, UAC's Pro Vice-Chancellor for Interuniversity Cooperation and Partnerships, said the delegation was in Kumasi to learn from KNUST's experience implementing the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
"We are here to learn from KNUST, as we have seen significant achievements under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program," Prof. Kelome said. "We want KNUST to partner with us to improve our own implementation at UAC."
She explained that the visit is part of efforts to rekindle ties following a dormant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2008 between KNUST and UAC's Polytechnical School.
"Our goal is to revitalize this partnership and expand collaboration beyond the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program," she added.
Prof. Kelome noted that UAC had previously hosted KNUST students for French language training at its Language Institute, describing the exchange as mutually beneficial.
"This is something we value and want to strengthen moving forward," she said. "We also have the National Institute of Water, which previously initiated a partnership with KNUST. However, that agreement remained sector-specific. We envision a broader, cross-disciplinary collaboration in future."
She underscored the importance of south-south cooperation, stating: "The future of Africa depends on strong regional collaboration. By working closely together, we can overcome shared challenges and make meaningful progress."
Prof. Kelome also praised the integration of environmental consciousness into KNUST's academic and physical infrastructure. "This is my first visit to KNUST, and I am impressed by the harmony between the campus and its natural surroundings," she said.
KNUST Vice-Chancellor Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson welcomed the delegation and emphasised the role of partnerships in contemporary higher education.
"No institution can go it alone anymore," she said. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. The relationship between KNUST and UAC must be seen as mutually beneficial."
Acknowledging the dormancy of the previous MoU, Prof. Dickson called for renewed commitment. "We admit that the previous agreement gathered dust. This time, we must ensure the partnership remains active and impactful," she said.
She added that KNUST seeks partnerships that are action-oriented and contribute directly to student development, community impact, and national growth.
"We are training not just for Ghana, but for Africa and the world," she said. "Your interest in collaborating with us is welcome and aligns with our shared vision for sustainable development."
