Mississippi State University to strengthen ties with African universities
Representatives of the Mississippi State University (MSU) in southeastern United States visited the University of Ghana last week as part of a tour of the country.
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The MSU is in the process of expanding its global presence and has identified the University of Ghana as a potential partner in that endeavour.
Dr Jon Rezek, the Interim Associate Vice President for International Programmes at the MSU, was particularly impressed with the quality of the faculty and ongoing research programmes at the University of Ghana.
While in Accra, Dr Rezek visited the School of Agriculture, the School of Business and the Faculty of Law.
"In addition to the stable political environment, Ghana offers a rich, vibrant culture, a friendly people and a society that places a high value on education," he said.
The MSU's objectives are to promote joint research and outreach activities with the world-class University of Ghana faculty and offer exchange opportunities for students, faculty and administrators.
The MSU, established in 1878, is part of the United States' land grant university system. It is a comprehensive university of approximately 20,000 students offering a choice of over 70 majors.
It is considered a very high research activity institution, according to the Carnegie Foundation, with strengths in Agriculture, Engineering and Social Sciences.
In Agriculture, the MSU was recently ranked ninth nationally by the National Science Foundation in research expenditures.
Dr Rezek, also directs the university's International Institute, which serves as the hub of all international activities on campus.
He indicated that there were a great deal of complementarities between the two universities.
"There are an incredible number of opportunities for the MSU and the UG to build research, outreach and academic linkages," he said.
Research focus areas at the MSU include water conservation and management, food and fibre production and safety, natural resources and environmental sustainability, health and education disparity, mobility systems and materials science and engineering.
Additional talks regarding the specifics of the partnership are ongoing.
Dr Rezek invited faculty members to visit the MSU campus located in Starkville, Mississippi.
"I feel confident the University of Ghana faculty and administrators will be as impressed with the MSU as I have been with the UG," he said.
He also expressed optimism that student exchanges could be of great benefit to both schools.
Fourteen Ghanaian students are currently working on degrees on the MSU campus, mostly at the masters level in the areas of Chemistry, the Agricultural Sciences and Engineering.
"Our Ghanaian students have enriched campus life at the MSU, exposing our students to their vibrant culture and traditions," Dr Rezek said.
In addition to academic activities, as the home of blues music and civil rights struggles, the state of Mississippi also offers University of Ghana students and faculty a chance to experience a unique, diverse and historically important region of the United States.