Valley View University has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with the US-based Georgia State University to strengthen nursing education and enhance global healthcare opportunities for students.

Officials from both universities gathered at Valley View University's (VVU) main campus in Oyibi, Accra on Monday, May 20, 2024, for a signing ceremony celebrating the new partnership between VVU's School of Nursing and Midwifery and Georgia State University's Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions.

"We hope this collaboration will continue to grow so that one day, our nursing students will have the opportunity to visit your school as part of the exchange we are building," said Professor William Kofi Koomson, Vice-Chancellor of Valley View University.

The memorandum outlines plans to start student and faculty exchanges in September 2024, where nursing students from VVU will participate in a collaborative learning experience virtually with students from Georgia State. 

"Through virtual exchanges and discussions, students will gain global competencies and share culturally specific strategies to address health challenges, ultimately aiming to improve population health outcomes," said Professor Ninon Amertil, Dean of the VVU School of Nursing and Midwifery.

Dr. Marcella Davies, who led the 12-member delegation comprising undergraduate and postgraduate students from Georgia State, said the partnership will help expand their existing study abroad program.

“We hope and intend that this exchange will transcend student exchange to also include faculty exchange," she noted.

The signing ceremony was celebrated with spectacular performances by VVU's cultural and music group which exhilarated the guests.

Dr. Davies again donated blood pressure cuffs and books to support the nursing program and encourage global health initiatives. 

"I know it will be used for both nursing and non-nursing students," she said, encouraging others to make an impact through small acts of generosity.

The new memorandum of cooperation aims to strengthen ties between the nursing schools through collaborations in areas like research, conferences, and jointly funded programs—ultimately helping to improve healthcare quality around the world.

The MoC in detail:

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Georgia State University and Valley View University aims to promote international cooperation in education and research. 

Under this agreement, both institutions will establish and encourage mutually beneficial relationships across scientific, technological, educational, and other domains. Potential activities include:

- Faculty and staff exchanges for purposes of research, teaching, and presenting specialized courses in their fields of expertise.

- Student exchange programs and study abroad opportunities.  

- Establishing joint research initiatives.

- Collaborating on third-party funded educational or economic development projects.

- Exchanging postgraduate students for specific research projects or courses of mutual interest and importance.

- Sharing scholarly and educational materials produced, as well as exchanging updates on impactful research from faculty at both universities.

- Organizing conferences, seminars, and symposia of joint significance.

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