A 42-member delegation from Southern University and A&M College, USA, led by Dr. Donald Andrews, Dean of the College of Business, paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, at the Council Chamber on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The delegation included notable figures such as Emerita Professor Ann Smith, Chairperson of the Council Board; Dr. Patrick Mensah, Senior Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs – Research and Development; Dr. Ashagre Yigletu, Associate Dean and Graduate Business Programs Director; and Ms. Mary Cobb-Marshall, Associate Director of Graduate Business Programs and Special Projects Coordinator, as well as faculty members and students.
Welcoming the delegation, Professor (Mrs.) Dickson expressed her deep appreciation for the enduring partnership between the two institutions over the past 30 years. “Our focus is to train international professionals, not just international degree holders. We cannot do this alone. This is why we put much premium on our friendships,” she stated. She lauded the progress made over the years and expressed optimism for future developments.
Professor Charles Ofosu Marfo, Provost of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Professor Ahmed Agyapong, Dean of the KNUST School of Business, provided the context of the visit, noting that it is part of a long-standing collaboration aimed at promoting academic excellence, joint research, and cultural exchange. They emphasized that this is one of the university’s longest and most vibrant international partnerships.
Dr. Andrews reiterated the importance of the collaboration, describing it as a strategic alliance that has yielded significant results over the past 30 years. He noted that the ongoing partnership continues to be a model of international academic cooperation.
Highlighting upcoming collaborative initiatives, Professor Andrew Muhammad, an expert in Agricultural Economics Research, announced plans for an International Conference on Franchising to be held in Kumasi. He indicated that preliminary discussions have already been held with the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce to identify areas of interest in franchising for mutual benefit.
The Chancellor of Southern University, Professor John K. Pierre, in a message delivered by the delegation, extended his warm regards and congratulated Professor (Mrs.) Dickson for her leadership and contributions toward sustaining the collaboration.
The meeting was also attended by several senior KNUST officials, including Professor David Asamoah, Pro Vice-Chancellor; Professor Daniel Y.A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office; Dr. Samuel Y. Akomea Esq., Head of the Centre for Business Development; Mr. Festus Nyame Esq., School Secretary (KSB); and Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Senior Assistant Registrar.
