•Varsity refutes report that 60% students population are Nigerians
By Gabriel Dike
Three foreign students studying at the University of Ghana (UG), Accra, Ghana, have shared their study experience at the premier university and urged others to seek admission into the institution.
The three students, two undergraduates and a postgraduate, expressed happiness at being offered admission by the 75-year-old university that has attracted and produced many prominent Nigerians.
The students, who make up 1.0 percent of International students of UG, spoke online with newsmen, as part of the university’s recruitment exercise in Nigeria targeted at SS3 students whose May/June 2023 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) was released recently.
Agatha Utomi, an MSc. student of Public Health, said as an international student her study in the University of Ghana has been wonderful.
Utomi explained that students are provided with online network to boost their academic pursuits, and described the lecturers as wonderful and interested in students study. She advised SS3 students to take advantage of the recruitment opportunity.
A 100 level Political Science student, Max Udochuks said he has settled down for lectures, stating, “My studies have been great and we are getting the best from our lecturers.
“University of Ghana has good lecturers and modern facilities to help students. It is the best university for SS3 students to apply. Here, lecturers check lecture notes,” Udochuks said.
Another 100 level student of the university, Michael Makia Nije, said the difference between the two countries’ academic calendar was that Ghana starts in January and September for Nigeria.
Nije, who is studying Biological Science, explained that Ghanaian lecturers take time to explain to students areas they find difficult to understand. He encouraged SS3 students to apply for admission to the University of Ghana.
The three students said they have adapted to Ghanaian food and are overcoming the language barrier. The thrio described Ghanaians as wonderful people willing to help international students.
The Recruitment Officer of the university, Mr. Emmanuel Yaw Dankwa, said with the release of WASSCE results, the University of Ghana deem it necessary to seek SS3 students for recruitment to study different courses.
Dankwa disclosed that the Ghana Consulate would support International education between Nigeria and Ghana.
He said many prominent Nigerians passed through the university, which would celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.
He gave reasons why the SS3 students should consider the University of Ghana such as the quality of lecturers qualifications, high quality facilities, nurture the next work-ready graduates and postgraduates, alumni in reputable industries across the global, which provide and expose its students to global perspectives and experiences
Dankwa further disclosed that the university runs numerous courses in the four colleges, which are College of Humanities, College of Basic and Applied Sciences College of Health Sciences and College of Education.
He said International education is currently faced with numerous challenges, noting, ‘’globally, international students have reduced in the last five years due to COVID-19 and the economic recession.’’
“Ghana has many international students. Many Nigerian students won awards. In 2021, the best medical student was a Nigeria.”
Dankwa confirmed that the current recruitment exercise is focused on SS3 students whose WASSCE results were released and who are expected to take advantage of the opportunity offered to seek admission into the six colleges.
The Ghana Consul-General, Samata Gifty Bukari, acknowledged the existence of collaboration between Ghana and Nigeria in several areas including education.
Bukari confirmed that the University of Ghana has opened its portal to admit new students and that priority would be given to applicants from the sub-region. She said that the university is considering reducing fees, adding, “with our interaction with parents, we discovered that school fees is the reason many of their children did not seek admission. To make it easy for parents, an arrangement has been made for them to pay the fees installmental.
“We take the arrangement of payment of foreign students serious. Accommodation is also assured for international students. The university will guarantee the security of the new students on campus,’’ she stated.
She noted that the university is celebrating its 75th anniversary and acknowledged the contributions of Nigerian students, who attended University of Ghana.
Bukari said the foreign students in 100 level are adjusting to life on campus and the foods, adding, “learning in other country offers benefit because it allows for exposure.”
In a related development, the university has faulted the online report of 60 percent of students of the University of Ghana are Nigerians.
“Nigeria students do not form 60 percent of our total students population. They form the highest number of our international students population, the varsity noted.
Statistics made available to The Education Report showed that Ghanian students’ population is 98.99 percent while international students (foreign) make up 1.0 percent.