The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has started a policy dialogue that seeks to establish a policy framework for transnational education in the country.
The policy dialogue being done in collaboration with the British Council is geared towards engaging all stakeholders in the tertiary education space to come out with a policy framework to regulate the transnational education space in the country.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day transnational education dialogue at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST, the Director General of GTEC, Prof. Ahmed Jinapor Abdulai, explained that the increasing number of institutions outside the country expressing interest in operating in the country triggered the need to get a framework in place to regulate their operations.
He was upbeat that all stakeholders in the sector would contribute their quota towards getting the best ideas and suggestions that would help come out with the right policy to operationalize the transnational education space in the country.
In attendance are Vice Chancellors of Traditional Universities, Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities, Council of Independent Universities, Principals of Colleges of Education, Registrars and College of Education Secretaries, Directors of Academic Affairs, Directors of Quality Assurance and Academic Planning among others.
Prof Jinapor stated that Ghana was one of the most attractive destinations when it comes to tertiary education attributing these to the peace and conducive environment in the country, availability of reliable electricity, security situation, the nation’s democratic credentials, qualified staff and faculties to teach were among the reasons most foreign institutions feel comfortable doing business in Ghana.
He eulogized the British Council for its support to GTEC, lauding the Country Director, Mr Doodo Dodoo for his interest and supporting the agenda of GTEC in terms of establishing collaboration and dialogue among our different stakeholders.
He also commended VCs of Traditional Universities as well as VCs of Technical Universities, Principals of Colleges of Education and other stakeholders for their special roles in helping shape the development of education in the country.
The Country Director of the British Council, Ghana, Mr Doodo, was happy to be part of the programme as he would be sharing some of the experiences of British institutions on transnational education with those in the country.
He indicated throwing in some seed funding towards the establishment of the policy framework and guidance as well as helping share those experiences with Ghanaian institutions.
The Country Director indicated that the collation of the views of stakeholders will help with the establishment of a policy framework to help regulate the sector which could also be replicated by other countries willing to learn from Ghana.
Prof. Kwame Boafo Arthur, Board Chairman for GTEC, said, transnational education plays a critical role in the global exchange of knowledge, fostering cultural understanding, and preparing individuals for the challenges of an interconnected world”.
He explained that “as we navigate the complexities of this landscape, it becomes imperative for us to join hands, share insight, and create a robust framework that prioritizes collaboration and quality assurance.”
The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Mrs Rita Akosua Dickson, said, that the transnational education development in the country would not only help train many people for the nation’s manpower needs but for the global market as well.
She lauded the GTEC and the British Council for their collaboration towards the policy dialogue which stood the chance to promote the development and transformation of nations through education.
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