Foreign universities invade Ghana to woo more students

A man in his early 30s is busily swinging his fingers across silver-plated keypad of a big laptop in front of him.

Beaming with smile all over, he happily flicks his fingers at the keyboards within short intervals as his eyeballs carefully gaze onto the screen of the laptop with rapt attention.

Standing on his right is a man with an American accent spotting a blue shirt with its long sleeve carefully toppled over each other in strokes

Alexander Atiah, a former Agricultural Engineering student of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology has a long term dream of pursuing further studies abroad.

But for lack of funds and other challenges, he is unable to go after his dreams.

But thanks to a local travel agency, Femon Travel and Tour, Atia now has the opportunity to apply for admission into one of the popular universities in the United States.

It follows a presentation by officials of the overseas office of the university at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.

Foreign universities are now adopting innovative ways of reaching potential students in Ghana.

It has become common for agents of schools in the United States, United Kingdom and other parts of the world to travel to Ghana to meet prospective students face-to-face.

It is in sharp contrast to the past when people had to struggle, either to travel abroad for admission or have relatives abroad facilitate the process for them.

Officials of Park University in Missouri are currently in the country to take would-be students through enrollment.

About 150 prospective students attended the first session in Kumasi, with dozen others attending the Sunyani and Accra events.

Atiah, who is currently with Ghana’s National Health Insurance Authority, wants to pursue Health Administration at the Park University to help turn the fortunes of the insurance scheme around.

So why has Ghana become the destination for foreign universities?

Senior Director, Office of International Students at the Park University Kevin Vicker says it “worth the time” of foreign universities to search for students in Ghana.

“I think that the students we have had from Ghana in the past especially they have been fantastic students; hardworking students, joyous students-just pleasant to work with. And so those two factors combined and the fact that in Ghana English is spoken which is helpful for any process in this regard in terms of foreign study worth my time for coming here”.

Another side attraction is Ghana’s growing economy, which means Ghanaians can afford education abroad.

New students are expected to spend between USD 19,000 and USD 22,000 a year on tuition, housing and fee. Students can also enjoy between USD 2,000 and 5,000 in scholarships each year.

“When I do research, up and coming markets in terms of growing economies, the currency skill well Ghana is the one we are looking at. I think this country has the potential to grow a lot in terms of infrastructure, in terms of the economy,” says Mr. Vicker.

The presence of the foreign universities relieves potential students from the burden and hustle associated with applying for admission abroad.

For Atiah and others who nurture dream of education abroad, it’s a dream come through for them.

one of the many students who want to further their education abroad.

He is currently with the National Health Insurance Authority.

With the help of a laptop, he can secure admission to the Park University within one month.

“One important thing is that, it releases you of the pressure. When you are applying, you don't know whom you are applying to. It gets so hard but when you have the person sitting right [besides] you, you are speaking to the person as a friend so it releases you of the pressure.

"He's here. You will not have to go over there. He is rather here-so for you the student, I don't think it’s really costly for you. It's cheaper and very very convenient for the student”, elated Atia has said.