The Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre of West African Studies (CWAS) of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) to begin a five-year collaboration in various areas of interest and mutual benefit.

The MoU, signed on November 29, 2023, aimed at encouraging and promoting academic activities including the exchange of information and scholarly publications among researchers and students; joint and collaborative research; and the conduct of lectures, workshops, and symposia; etc.

 

Prof. Shurong Zhao, Director of the Center for West African Studies (CWAS) of UESTC, signed the MoU on behalf of her University. Twelve (12) other Chinese Professors, Professionals, and Students accompanied Prof. Zhao to AAMUSTED to sign the agreement as part of planned activities for the Fifth International Symposium of West African Studies (5TH ISWAS), which Ghana hosted in November 2023. (Read more on ISWAS below).

The Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Frederick Kwaku Sarfo, signed the MoU for AAMUSTED with the Registrar, Mr. Augustus Kwaw Brew, as a witness.

 

…5TH ISWAS

In another development, AAMUSTED made a strong showing at the Fifth International Symposium of West African Studies (5th ISWAS) in Accra from November 27-28, 2023. ISWAS is an important convergent platform, where scholars and practitioners discuss, think, and share ideas to strengthen existing practices and chart new paths to achieve rapid socio-economic development in West Africa and beyond. It came into being following the establishment of the Center for West African Studies (CWAS) under the School of Public Administration at UESTC in April 2017 by the joint efforts of UESTC and five Ghanaian Public Universities, including AAMUSTED then Kumasi and Asante Mampong Campuses of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW).

Given the opportunity to address one of the fora for the 5TH ISWAS, the Vice-Chancellor of AAMUSTED, Prof. Sarfo did not mince words in expressing his joy in seeing a massive representation of AAMUSTED Staff in various roles, including making presentations at the 5TH ISWAS.

He described the theme for the 5th ISWAS: Promoting Social and Economic Development in West Africa from a Digital Economy Transformation and Development Perspective as appropriate, especially for Ghana, which is pursuing a digitalisation agenda spearheaded by the Vice President of Ghana, Alhaji (Dr.) Mahamoudu Bawumia, in various spheres of life, especially in TVET and Entrepreneurial Education.