UEW, University of Washington Explore Collaboration in Research, Teaching and Exchanges
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and the University of Washington (UW), USA, have begun exploring opportunities for collaboration in research, teaching, student and staff exchanges, and international education.
The discussions took place when a delegation from UW’s College of Education and other university units met with UEW management at the Council Chamber on Tuesday, 18th August 2026.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, expressed the University's enthusiasm for exploring a partnership with UW, particularly in areas where the complementary strengths of both institutions could be leveraged.
She highlighted UEW’s unique mandate as Ghana’s leading institution dedicated to teacher education, with expertise spanning early childhood, basic and second-cycle education, as well as postgraduate training and research.
Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu also introduced the University’s practical Ghana and Africa-focused learning opportunities, including a transferable-credit course designed to expose international students to Ghanaian culture, languages, food, tourism, arts and other aspects of African life.
Prof. Hinneh Kusi, the Dean of the School of Education and Life-Long Learning, stated that the School is ready to collaborate with UW in research, teaching and student and staff exchange programmes.
He noted that internationalisation was becoming increasingly important in higher education and that the proposed collaboration could broaden the experiences of students and staff from both institutions, preparing them to operate as global citizens.
TheProf. Imurana Awaisu Braimah, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Imurana Awaisu Braimah, stated that the partnership could also enhance graduate education and research by facilitating the exchange of expertise and the development of collaborative programmes.
He emphasised UEW’s strong practical orientation, noting that students across programmes are exposed to real-world professional environments as part of their training.
Representing the UW delegation, Dr. Joe Lott, an Associate Professor at the College of Education, explained that the visit was partly motivated by the University’s interest in creating international learning opportunities for students participating in its Brotherhood Initiative.
“The initiative supports young men of colour at UW through academic and experiential programmes designed to strengthen their educational experiences, confidence, agency and prospects beyond graduation,” he said.
Dr. Lott stated that the university is exploring the possibility of bringing students to Ghana to deepen their understanding of their West African heritage and expose them to perspectives on liberation and identity.
Dr. Rashida Love, who leads the Sisterhood Initiative at UW, said the programme similarly supports young women of colour through seminars and other activities aimed at helping them develop confidence, agency and pride in their identities, particularly within predominantly white institutional environments.
Dr. Joy Williamson-Lott, the Dean of the UW Graduate School, expressed interest in learning more about UEW’s distinctive role in teacher education and its postgraduate programmes. She also highlighted opportunities for collaboration that could support graduate students, particularly students of colour, through international exposure and stronger academic communities.
Dr. Rickey Hall, the Vice-President of UW’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity and University Diversity Officer, said that the University is interested in expanding international opportunities for students, including study abroad programmes and potential pathways for UW graduates to pursue postgraduate education at UEW.
He noted that UW’s Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity supports first-generation, low-income, formerly fostered, unhoused and undocumented students through academic advising, cultural programmes and graduate preparation initiatives.
Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo, the Registrar of UEW, expressed the University’s readiness to consider the areas discussed and called for formal proposals from UW to enable further deliberations.
The engagement establishes a foundation for the two universities to identify specific areas of mutual interest and to develop a framework for sustained academic and institutional collaboration.
The meeting brought together senior officials and academics from both institutions, signalling a shared interest in leveraging international partnerships to expand learning opportunities, strengthen research and foster academic exchange.
