UHAS marks International Day with focus on global partnerships and cultural diversity

The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region has hosted its 2026 International Day, highlighting the institution's commitment to cultural diversity and global academic collaboration. The event underscored UHAS's position as a hub for international partnerships and cross-cultural learning within Ghana's higher education landscape.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Lydia Aziato disclosed that the university currently maintains 94 international partnerships across the world, a development she described as a significant achievement. These collaborations are designed to enhance student training and support faculty development across the institution's health-focused programmes.

Prof Aziato particularly acknowledged the pivotal role of Cuban faculty members in the university's trajectory, crediting them with instrumental contributions to the establishment and accreditation of UHAS's School of Medicine. The School of Medicine has since become a recognised institution nationally and globally. She also recognised contributions from faculty members from Nigeria, India, and South Africa in shaping the university's quality standards across various health disciplines.

Why it matters for Ghana

UHAS's international partnerships represent an important avenue for strengthening Ghana's health sector through knowledge transfer and collaborative research. The university's success in attracting foreign expertise and establishing partnerships reflects broader efforts to position Ghanaian institutions competitively within the global academic ecosystem. As Ghana continues to address complex healthcare challenges—from disease prevention to specialised medical training—institutions like UHAS leverage international collaboration to raise standards and build capacity that benefits the nation's health system.

The celebration also highlights how cultural diversity in academic spaces can enhance learning outcomes and research quality. For Ghanaian students at UHAS, exposure to international perspectives and cross-cultural collaboration prepares them to work effectively in increasingly globalised healthcare environments.

Internationalisation as institutional strength

Prof Elvis Tarkang, Dean of International Programmes, emphasised that cultural diversity strengthens institutional identity and enhances the quality of teaching, learning, research, and service delivery. He noted that through internationalisation, UHAS has equipped students to address complex health issues across different communities—a skill set essential for healthcare professionals operating in diverse contexts.

Dr Carlien Jooste, Director of Internationalisation at Sefako Makatho Health Sciences University in South Africa, shared insights on best practices for university internationalisation. She advocated for universities to integrate internationalisation into their strategic vision, invest in staff development, and incorporate global perspectives into curricula. Critically, she stressed that successful internationalisation should not be measured merely by the number of international partnerships or students, but by creating inclusive environments where all individuals feel valued and empowered.

Her remarks suggest that UHAS and similar institutions should view internationalisation as a framework for fostering belonging and meaningful exchange, rather than simply accumulating partnerships on paper.