Fulbright Scholar Supports SPED

A Fulbright Scholar and Co-Director of University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville’s 2019 Discover Ghana Study Abroad Program, Prof. Tiece Ruffin has supported the Department of Special Education (SPED) of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) with learning materials.

The materials include hot dots talking pens, retell a story cubes, hot dots vocabulary 1-3, hot dots vocabulary 4-6, hot dots getting the main idea, reading comprehension cubes among others.  

Prof. Tiece Ruffin

The rationale behind the donation is to improve the reading skills of pupils who have reading difficulties as well as promoting inclusive education in Ghana. It is also meant to support the important work of the SPED Reading Resource Centre (UEW). The support was precipitated by the reading crisis in sub-Saharan Africa as reported by the United Nations. 

According to Prof. Tiece Ruffin the summer 2019 interaction with the SPED Reading Resource Centre was an extension of a collaboration that began in 2017/2018 academic year when she was a U. S. Fulbright Scholar who was hosted by UEW.  

“Since UNC Asheville students were to study abroad in Ghana for 21 days, we (Prof. Boakye-Boaten and myself) partnered with the Centre for International Programmes (CIP) and SPED at UEW to enhance our students’ learning experience during our 12-day stay in Winneba,” she said.

Part of the activities included a cultural performance by UEW; an orientation session; guest lectures by UEW Faculty; visit to selected local schools in Winneba; a call on the Chief of Effutu, a tour around Kantanka Automobiles and service learning at the Reading Resource Centre.

Ultimately, UNC Asheville students had an opportunity to enhance their Intercultural Competent Global leadership skills with the two institutions having a mutually beneficial relationship.

Among the staff of UEW present at the donation and Kantanka Automobiles tour were the Head, SPED, Dr. Daniel Dogbe; some Senior Lecturers at SPED; Dr. Anthony Kofi Mensah, Mrs. Florence Akua Mensah and Senior Assistant Registrar, Center for International Programmes (CIP), Mr. Andy Agordah. 

UNC Asheville students in a pose with some staff from the Department of Special Education