German Embassy Seeks Stronger Collaboration with UEW for Enhanced German Language Education
A delegation from the German Embassy has paid a courtesy call to the Management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), on Thursday, 30th January, 2025, to have discussions on the future of German language training at the university.
Speaking in an interview, Ms. Sivine Jansen, Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Ghana, highlighted UEW as a strategic partner in expanding German language training in Ghana. She emphasised the university's pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for German language education and fostering academic and professional opportunities for students.
“There is a huge demand from young people in Ghana interested in learning German. However, we currently face a shortage of qualified instructors to teach the language. The University of Education, Winneba, is a key player in addressing this bottleneck,” she affirmed.
Ms. Sivine Jansen announced that UEW had received accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) to upgrade its German language programme from a minor to a major in the Bachelor of Education curriculum. “We look forward to implementing this as soon as possible to equip students with skills that will enable them to use German professionally,” she added.
She highlighted the historical presence of German language instruction within the French Department as a unit but stressed the need for it to evolve into a full-fledged department. “To fully reach its potential, German must become a standalone department to offer better services and training for students,” she emphasised.
The Deputy Head of Mission also explored potential avenues for future collaborations. “We could consider including German language training in TVET education and even in medical education,” Ms. Sivine Jansen suggested, pointing to Germany's labour shortage and how proficiency in the language could open job opportunities for Ghanaians.
She highlighted the benefits of studying in Germany, where public universities charge no tuition fees, and many programmes are offered in English. “Each year, over a thousand students from Ghana express interest to study in Germany. Many alumni return to Ghana with impressive skills and hold significant positions,” she remarked.
Ms. Sivine Jansen expressed optimism about the prospects of collaboration and the growth of German language education at UEW. “The opportunities are enormous, and by working together, we can unlock the full potential of this partnership for the benefit of students and the university,” she concluded.
The discussions mark a significant step towards strengthening ties between Ghana and Germany through education, positioning UEW as a hub for language and cultural exchange.
