UEW VC Advocates Stronger Governance for University Internationalisation
Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has underscored the critical role of governing councils in advancing internationalisation and positioning African universities for global competitiveness.
He made the presentation at a three-day Conference for Governing Councils and Management Teams of African Universities held from Monday, 22nd to Wednesday, 24th June, 2026, at Lancaster University, United Kingdom. Organised by Global Skills Hub (UK) and Lancaster University, the conference focused on strengthening council-management relationships, promoting governance best practices, enhancing financial sustainability and developing resource mobilisation strategies for African universities.
Speaking on the topic, "Governing Councils and Internationalisation Strategies of Universities," Prof. Mitchual described governing councils as the apex decision-making bodies responsible for strategic direction, accountability and institutional sustainability. He noted that in today's interconnected world, universities must embrace internationalisation by integrating global and intercultural perspectives into teaching, research, community engagement and governance.
According to him, internationalisation enables universities to access global knowledge networks, strengthen research collaborations, attract international students and faculty, improve institutional reputation and enhance graduate employability. He emphasised that governing councils must play a leading role by approving internationalisation strategies, allocating resources, managing risks, monitoring performance indicators and fostering strategic partnerships.
While highlighting opportunities for global engagement, Prof. Mitchual also cautioned against challenges such as competition for international talent, regulatory barriers, technological constraints and brain drain.
He urged African universities to embed internationalisation within their strategic plans, invest in collaborative research, support staff and student mobility programmes and strengthen South-South partnerships.
Prof. Mitchual concluded that universities that combine effective governance with purposeful global engagement are better positioned to achieve academic excellence, financial sustainability and international relevance. “Universities that govern well, think globally,” he stated.
The presentation resonated strongly with the conference's objective of equipping governing councils and university management teams with practical strategies to enhance institutional effectiveness, sustainability and competitiveness.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment among participants to strengthen governance systems, deepen collaboration and pursue innovative strategies that will position African universities as influential contributors to global knowledge production, research excellence and sustainable development.
