DME-UEW Hosts Distinguished Jamaican Mathematician to Foster Global Collaborations
The Department of Mathematics Education (DME) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has welcomed a prestigious guest professor from the University of Windsor in Canada, Prof. Andrew Allen.
The visit, organised by Dr. Peter Akayuure, the Department's Graduate Coordinator, aims to fortify global alliances, explore collaborative opportunities, and enrich the field of mathematics education.
Prof. Allen's visit was marked by a series of insightful discussions on potential collaborations and partnerships. The topics ranged from doctoral studies to joint supervision of PhD candidates, training mathematics teachers, and harnessing emerging digital platforms for teaching.
The visiting professor also delved into the intricacies of writing funding proposals for research, professional development, and collaborative research.
In a remarkable exchange of knowledge and expertise, Prof. Allen engaged graduate students, faculty members, and PhD candidates at UEW's South Campus with two captivating presentations. The first, titled "New Trends in Mathematics Education," emphasised the fundamental purpose of mathematics and the importance of adopting diverse teaching methods.
Prof. Allen underscored the significance of balancing conceptual knowledge and procedural knowledge to enable students to grasp the subject effectively. He encouraged educators to employ humour, physical engagement, and vocal interactions to foster student confidence and comprehension while emphasising the need for patience in accommodating students' varying developmental rates.
In the second presentation, "The Use of Digital Space in Mathematics Education," Prof. Allen guided participants through a journey of online resources, programming, coding, and the integration of real-world and online technology to enhance mathematics instruction. His innovative approach aimed to equip educators with the tools to engage and inspire students in the digital age.
In an interview, Prof. Allen articulated his motivation for coming to UEW, saying, "I want to explore Ghana while also giving back. I am in Canada, improving the Canadian education system, and I would like to contribute here to the Ghanaian education system." He envisioned a reciprocal partnership where both institutions could learn from each other's experiences and best practices.
Dr. Peter Akayuure, who orchestrated the visit, commended Prof. Allen's valuable contributions to the Department's growth. He stressed the importance of inviting seasoned educators like Prof. Allen to mentor and inspire the next generation of mathematics teachers. Dr. Akayuure revealed that faculty members at UEW had already initiated the drafting of a memorandum of understanding, laying the groundwork for future collaborations with international institutions.
Dr. Akayuure also highlighted the importance of internationalisation for universities, stating, "Universities are now being ranked according to how internationalised they are." He emphasised the need for global outreach to enhance research, community-building, funding support, and teamwork.
The event presided over by Prof. Samuel Kwesi Asiedu-Addo, a professor of mathematics at the Department of Mathematics Education, UEW, marked a significant milestone in the university's pursuit of academic excellence and international collaboration. Prof. Allen's visit not only enriched the academic landscape at UEW but also reinforced the institution's commitment to fostering global partnerships and creating opportunities for students and faculty members to thrive in the evolving field of mathematics education.