“Ghanaian Institutions Are Open And Creative In Exploring”

The President and Vice Chancellor of Trent University [TU] in Ontario-Canada. Dr. Leo Groarke, has said that the university has been struck by Ghana’s welcoming culture and the warmth of the people of Ghana.

He said, “We have found institutions in Ghana to be very open and creative in exploring collaborations and the welcoming culture and the warmth of the people as superb.”

The observation of Dr. Groarke who led a delegation from Trent University in Canada in early January 2019, was relayed to this reporter by Dr. David Firang, who was a member of the delegation that visited Ghana.

Briefing this reporter about the trip, Dr. David Firang disclosed that Trent University one of the reputable institute of higher learning in Ontario has extended its connections to Ghana, Africa and the world over.

According to him, Ghana was the first of the three destinations Kenya and Rwanda, chosen by the Canadian University as it embarked on internationalization efforts in key regions throughout Africa and the world at large.

Beginning the programme, Trent International and Trent University’s President and vice chancellor led a delegation to Ghana first of three countries strategically targeted for expansion in Africa.

Dr. David Firang, a professor of social work at the university who holds a lot of contacts in Ghana, put out the programme which focused on institutions and applicants in Accra and Cape Coast as extension of a long association between Trent and Ghana.

Accordingly, institutions visited in Ghana included the Ghana Technology University College, University of Ghana –both the center for climate change and sustainability studies and the office of international programmes-Methodist University College in Ghana.

The rest were Pentecost University College and University of Cape Coast as well as Trent University students currently studying in Ghana.

“Meeting with our own students currently studying abroad at University of Cape Coast was a highlight as well as their accounts of the impact of their experiences” Dr. David Firang commented.

The Trent in Ghana programme has provided the students with opportunity to study abroad and gain experiential learning opportunities through placements in communities through Ghana for decades he further observed.

He praised Dr. Paul Shaffer, a colleague lecturer in international development studies at the Trent University for overseeing the programme for the past four years while it has been offered in partnership with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.

It was learnt that at the meeting with the Trent delegation, the students shared their impressions of their Ghana experience which was very encouraging.

Again, while in Ghana the Trent team, also met with prospective students at the undergraduate and graduate level, applicants to Trent and their parents who were delighted to hear more details about Trent and its living and learning environment, Dr. David Firang disclosed.

He pointed out that for their students from Trent studying in Ghana is an education in itself, especially for students who have not previously experienced the developing world.