By Celestine Avi
Seoul, South Korea-President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new academic exchange programme between Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea and Ghana’s University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) at Bonsu in the Eastern Region, aimed at strengthening collaboration in higher education and research.
The initiative will allow lecturers and students from the two institutions to participate in exchange programmes, promoting knowledge sharing and academic cooperation between Ghana and South Korea.
President Mahama made the announcement during the Ghana Day Independence Celebration in Seoul, South Korea, as part of activities marking his official visit to the country.
He noted that Yonsei University has played a key role in supporting the development of a university campus in Ghana and expressed optimism about the future of the partnership.
Under the arrangement, lecturers and students from the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, whose campus is located at Bonsu in Ghana’s Eastern Region, will travel to South Korea for academic exchanges, while Korean lecturers will also visit Ghana to teach and collaborate with students.
President Mahama said the partnership demonstrates that knowledge and academic collaboration can transcend geographical distance.
He recalled that the journey to Korea took two days due to the need to reroute flights because of the conflict in the Middle East, but stressed that such distance should not hinder the pursuit of knowledge and cooperation.
The President expressed confidence that the academic partnership will serve as a strong symbol of the growing relationship between Ghana and South Korea.
He further called for continued cooperation between the two countries, noting that stronger educational ties will contribute to innovation, research and development for the benefit of both nations.
President Mahama was also conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration by Yonsei University in recognition of his distinguished contributions to national transformation, economic development, and his engagement with the global academic community
