The Jospong Group, a Ghanaian conglomerate, and Russia's RUDN University have entered into a significant partnership aimed at facilitating the pursuit of master's degrees by 600 Ghanaian students.
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed in Accra, signifies a commitment to advancing education in key sectors such as agribusiness, solid waste management, and climate change. The collaboration, set to commence this year, will see the initial cohort of 120 students from various Ghanaian tertiary institutions travelling to RUDN University in Russia for a comprehensive two-year program.
The overarching goal of this initiative is to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry needs, promoting knowledge transfer and equipping young Ghanaians with the necessary skills to address challenges in the country's agriculture sector.
The RUDN University plans to take this collaboration further by supporting 20% of the students to pursue PhD programs at the institution, emphasizing a long-term commitment to nurturing Ghana's academic talent.
The signing ceremony, attended by dignitaries such as the Speaker of Parliament and government officials, highlights the strategic importance of public-private partnerships in driving education and skill development.
Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group, expressed optimism that the scholarship program would contribute to the transformation of Ghana's industrial agricultural sector, fostering food sufficiency and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Government officials, including Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, and Dr. Freda Prempeh, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, were present to witness the signing.
Dr. Adutwum emphasized the alignment of this partnership with the government's efforts to invest in human capacity development, encouraging the beneficiaries to take the program seriously and contribute to Ghana's agricultural growth upon their return.