On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Valley View University (VVU), Ghana's Premier Private University, had the honour of welcoming a distinguished twenty-four-man delegation from New York University (NYU), USA.

The visit, aimed at exploring collaborative opportunities between the two esteemed institutions, marked a significant step towards international academic partnership and exchange.

 

Led by Teboho Moja, a Clinical Professor of Higher Education at NYU, the delegation's visit underscored the global interest in the unique academic, cultural, and developmental strides being made by Valley View University. Professor Emmanuel Bismark Amponsah, the Rector of the Techiman Campus, serving as the Acting Vice Chancellor, led the Valley View University team in hosting the esteemed guests.

 

The brief engagement was filled with activities that showcased the vibrancy and academic excellence of Valley View University. A musical band composed of talented students from the University’s Music Department provided a warm welcome to the guests with a selection of local tunes that set the stage for a day of fruitful discussions and cultural exchange.

 

Highlighting the event was a presentation by Mr. Albert K. Imbrah, the Registrar of Valley View University, who delved into the history, programme offerings, institutional objectives, and systems that define Valley View University. His presentation painted a vivid picture of Valley View University's commitment to providing quality Christian education and fostering a holistic development environment for its students.

 

The delegation also had the opportunity to interact with other key officers of Valley View University, including the Dean of Spiritual Life and Development, the Chief Finance Officer, the Vice Dean of the School of Education, and the Dean of the Faculty of Science. These interactions provided valuable insights into the academic and administrative synergies that could be harnessed between the two universities.

 

 

The delegation had further interactions with students of the School of Education to appreciate the perspective of the Ghanaian student of higher learning. The team among other things was interested in knowing the challenges associated with tertiary education in Ghana especially among private universities. The host students on their part, highlighted the advantages and uniqueness that go with receiving value-based Christian education at Valley View University in spite of the challenges associated with private tertiary education in the country.

 

The interactions culminated in expressions of gratitude and hope for the future. The guests were full of appreciation for the hospitality and wealth of information shared. Prof. Moja, on behalf of the NYU delegation, expressed optimism about the potential for a lasting collaboration between NYU and Valley View University. Such a partnership promises to enhance academic exchange, research collaborations, and cross-cultural learning opportunities for both institutions.

 

The visit by the NYU delegation to Valley View University not only signifies the growing recognition of Valley View University on the international stage but also paves the way for groundbreaking collaborations that will benefit students and faculty of both universities. As Valley View University continues to make strides in academic excellence and innovation, the prospects of partnerships with globally recognised institutions like NYU herald a new era of international academic engagement and development.

 

In his closing remarks Prof. Emmanuel B. Amponsah indicated that Valley View University looks forward to the fruitful outcomes of this visit and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead in its collaboration with New York University. Together, both universities are set to make significant contributions to the global academic community and forge paths towards             a brighter future for their students and the world at large.

This exchange programme was organised under the auspices of the Centre for Academic Research and Engaged Scholarship (CARES) with able support from the School of Education (SOE). Special mention should be made of Dr. Robert Akpalu, Dean, SOE; Mr. Emmanuel Duncan, Lecturer, SOE and Programme Coordinator; and Dr. Cecilia Amponsem-Boateng, Director, CARES for their outstanding contributions to the success of the programme.

     

University Relations Directorate, VVU