By Kwame Bediako
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) opened its doors on Friday, March 27, 2026, at its Nyaniba headquarters to some top Ghanaian universities for a landmark event titled “Expanding Ghana-Germany University Partnerships (Matchmaking).”
This gathering brought together institutions from both nations to forge stronger collaborations, share innovative ideas and explore joint research opportunities.
Amid rising global demands for sustainable development, the event underscored Germany’s commitment to partnering with Ghana’s academic powerhouses.
Participating universities, including Germany’s University of Kassel and Ghana’s University for Development Studies (UDS), engaged in dynamic discussions on shared priorities like agriculture and technology.
Ute Clement from the University of Kassel expressed delight at reconnecting with UDS counterparts.
“I am here to work with the University for Development Studies in Tamale. They have a very strong focus on development, which interests us in Germany too, especially in agriculture and technology. We have much in common”; she said.
Clement highlighted the potential for mutual growth, noting how UDS’s expertise could enrich Kassel’s programs. The interaction exemplified the event’s goal: turning casual exchanges into concrete partnerships that drive innovation and knowledge transfer between continents.
From UDS’s perspective, the reunion was equally thrilling. Karej Kosisetwa Fiasaba, Director of International Relations at UDS, revealed a deep-rooted collaboration with Kassel spanning over 20 years.
“We’ve had major projects like the Urban Food Project, where we trained numerous PhD and postdoc students,” Fiasaba affirmed.
“More than 15 students have earned joint PhDs from this partnership, and we’re eager to build on it”; he added.
