A delegation from the University for Development Studies (UDS), made up of the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences, Professor Terry Ansah, Assistant Registrar, Mr. Paul Asianab and a Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Food And Consumer Sciences at UDS, Dr. Fortune Akabanda, together with two senior officials of the Catholic Archdiocese of Tamale, namely Rev. Fr. Boris Charles Ansu Tingabo and Ms. Rita Wepea, have paid a reciprocal visit to the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Münster in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The visit which was facilitated by UDS, the catholic Archdiocese in Tamale, and the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, formed part of UDS’ efforts at operationalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Munster.

In February 2022, the University for Development Studies Tamale, and the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Münster of the Federal Republic of Germany, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of teaching and research between the two partner institutions.

The MOU which was signed by Prof. Seidu Al-hassan Vice-Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor of the University for Development Studies, and Prof. Dr. Frank Dellmann, President, FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, Münster, agreed that, the two universities will foster cooperation in the areas of exchange programs for lecturers and students in teaching and research, working together in planning development and research as well as holding joint lectures, courses, seminars, conferences, excursions and work placements, facilitating exchanges between lecturers in teaching and research and by making teaching material available to each other, exchanging students and by assisting them professionally in a practical semester or trimester, recognizing and accepting each other’s qualifications,  cooperating in advanced training or in-service training of lecturers and teachers,  sharing and exchanging information,  working together on joint publications and promoting the knowledge of each other‘ s languages and culture.

The reciprocal visit indicates the keenness on the part of the University for Development Studies, to deepen the relationship. 
Whilst touring various facilities in Germany and particularly, at the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences, the delegation kicked off discussions regarding particular areas to start the partnership and how to find the resources for its execution, engage capacity building, explore working on team shadowing and faculty exchange.

FOLLOW-UP VISIT

As a follow-up to the visit, another delegation, mainly made up of students of UDS and led by the Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Dr. Vida Yakong arrived in Germany on May 24, 2023, for a Student Exchange Programme at the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences. 

Among other things, the visit also aims at activating an exchange programme with the Diocesan Partnership between the Diocese od Munster and the five Dioceses of the Tamale Ecclesiastical Province, which was halted due to the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, the visit, which is an important input for building international networks, will also kick start the collaboration between the Faculty of Food Science Technology of the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Sciences of the University for Development Studies and the FH Münster University of Applied Sciences.

The delegation of students is expected back home on June 14, 2023.

Story by:
Abdul Hayi Moomen (University Relations)