The University of Cape Coast (UCC) and Virginia Tech University (VT), USA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost academic collaborations between the two universities.
The agreement aims to foster international learning and exchange programs for undergraduate and post-graduate studies, faculty collaboration, and internship opportunities, among others for student
As part of the visit, a presentation was made by the visiting university, Virginia Tech University to both faculty members and students of UCC on the various academic opportunities and programs available for both undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
The meeting also set the stage for deliberations on how to make the intended collaboration a success.
Key issues among several others that were deliberated on included scholarship opportunities, cultural sensitization for potential student beneficiaries of this agreement, faculties, and student research collaborations among others.
The meeting comprised both faculty and students from the Department of Communication Studies and the School of Agriculture, UCC, and the faculty from the Department of Agricultural, Leadership, and Community Education and the School of Communication, VT.
An Associate Professor for Agricultural Leadership and Community Education and undergraduate Director at Virginia Tech, Prof. Donna Westfall-Rudd expressed excitement at the agreement reached by the leadership of the two universities.
She emphasized that the agreement prioritizes and lays out the opportunity for further conversations.
“It is giving us space to talk and showing that all of our universities want us to take the time from our activities to be having these conversations and making plans together…and that both campuses are so excited to work together and work with us,” she said.
Prof. Westfall-Rudd also revealed that a committee with representatives from both campuses is already being formed to develop a comprehensive plan for the realization of the details of the agreement.
On his part, the Director of the School of Communication, VT, Professor John Tedesco said his department’s interest in exchange programs between the students and faculty will aim to project positive stories about the two institutions.
He indicated that the goal of VT is to become a top global university and this informed the decision to create a relationship with the University of Cape Coast which is recognized as an institution of excellence.
“So, what’s important is that students identify for us that they know our institution and the things that we do for research because ultimately, we want to make sure that a student is successful and accomplishes their goals,” he revealed.
Source: Eric Sekyi