Webster University is in Ghana for the long haul

Accra, May 28, GNA - Webster University is in Ghana for the long haul and would offer students the skills needed, in the current global environment to enable them to apply the knowledge in real business and life situations.

Professor Benjamin Ola Akande, a Professor of Economics and Dean of Webster University's largest academic unit, the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology said in an interview with the Ghana News Agency.

He said: 'We have made a very significant investment in Ghana. We are not here for the short term but for the long-term.

'If you look at our infrastructure investment and commitment it demonstrates that we are basically planting a seed that we are going to water and we are strongly hopeful that it would become something big.'

Ghana is Webster's 8th international location and the first in Africa and has been established to provide American-style education to Ghanaians who wish to undertake undergraduate and graduate studies and the sub-region as well.

Prof Akande, who was in Ghana to witness the commencement ceremony of Webster University in Ghana, said while the University has been in the Ghanaian market for a relatively short time, 'there is a sense of constructive impatience to want to have an impact sooner than later'.

He said: 'Our approach to education is very different from what other institutions are doing. We try to distinguish ourselves not in theory but the application of knowledge, teaching the skill sets that the students need and making them ready to use them. We get our students job ready, economy ready and to be able to get the ground running.'

Prof Akande said Webster University is very clear in its mission to produce global citizens and trying to do that not just in the United States but in all other countries, adding that a key distinctive feature of Webster University from other institutions is its clear focus on application of business knowledge.

"Webster University prides itself in being a worldwide institution that ensures high quality learning experiences that promotes individual excellence and transforms students into Global Citizens," he stated.

In this direction, the University's curriculum is so designed to give the students the framework of being able to design a business plan, being able to do the due diligence, understanding of regulations and being able to move forward an idea to fruition.

Prof Akande said the future of Ghana is clearly in the realms of new businesses, finding ways to solve people's needs and have a different level of mind set.

He said that this is why the University's programme are so structured to get young Ghanaian minds at the undergraduate and graduate levels to think about what is next for Ghana and how to take a concept to fruition.

'We want to be the one preparing our students and future leaders of Ghana with that particular mind set,' he said.

Prof Akande said the campus in Ghana is part of an African strategy to be able to attract students from all over the continent to the country to study.

He said Webster chose Ghana because of the strong belief that the country 'represents the very best of what we would want in Africa-stable democracy, an emerging economy, very open attitude to new ideas, safety and a sense of tranquility'.

'We think it really makes for the best environment for learning and teaching. It is a decision that I shudder to say so far we have nothing but a very positive experience,' he said.

Prof Akande said Webster University focus in Africa would be on skill sets that address the leadership challenge, skills sets that enhance innovation and creativity and in the long-term the focus is on economic prosperity.

He said admission standards at Webster University are very high, adding that applicants have to meet rigorous criteria of the academic credential test.

He said the school would soon introduce new academic certificate programmes, including project management, cyber security and data analytics as well as introduce a one-year Master of Business Administration programme in January 2016.

GNA