The University of Cape Coast, UCC, has hosted a three-member delegation from Blekinge Institute of Technology, (BTH) Sweden, to operationalise the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two institutions in 2025.
The visit was also aimed at developing a roadmap for collaboration between the two institutions in key areas such as proposed joint bachelor’s, master's and PhD degree programmes, staff and student exchanges, joint proposal and grant writing, research in artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as co-supervision of postgraduate students. The partnership also focuses on leveraging technology to support remote teaching and exploring opportunities for joint conferences and seminars.
The delegation comprised Prof. Niklas Lavesson, Professor of Software Engineering and Country Director for Ghana –Tanzania, Mr. Gurudutt Velpula, Director of Internationalisation, and Prof. Martin Andersson, Professor of Industrial Economics and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.
Receiving the delegation, the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences (CANS), UCC, Prof. Rofela Combey, said she was happy with the relationship established between the two universities.
She stressed the importance of the collaboration, noting that it formed a major part of her vision for the College, and reaffirmed her unwavering support for the Department of Computer Science and Information Technology in implementing the existing MoU.
The leader of the visiting team, Prof. Niklas Lavesson, who is also a Professor of Software Engineering and Country Director for Ghana–Tanzania, expressed appreciation to the leadership of the College for the warm reception.
He described the meeting as a strong indication of UCC’s readiness to establish a meaningful partnership with BTH.
Prof. Niklas Lavesson further expressed the desire for Blekinge Institute of Technology to have footprints in Ghana, where students would associate it with quality education for better partnership opportunities in the future.
At the meeting were some management of CANS and Department of Computer Science and Information Technology (DCSIT) including the Head, Dr. (Mrs.) Alimatu-Saadia Yussiff, the Vice-Dean of the School of Agriculture, Prof. Paul Agu Asare, Dr. Charles Roland Haruna, Dr. Regina Esi Turkson, Dr. Maame G. Asante Mensah, Mr. Elliot Attipoe, Mr. Isaac Armah-Mensah and Ms. Linda Otoo.
In a related development, the three-member delegation from the Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), Sweden, also held a meeting with some management and staff of the School of Business.
During the meeting, the Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Small Enterprise Development (CESED), UCC, Prof. (Mrs.) Mavis Serwah Benneh highlighted CESED’s commitment to entrepreneurship education, research, and practice within the University.
She explained that the establishment of CESED consolidated several long-standing initiatives undertaken by the UCC School of Business in promoting entrepreneurship development.
In response, Prof. Niklas Lavesson expressed gratitude to CESED and the School of Business for the warm reception.
Prof. Lavesson recalled the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UCC and BTH in 2025, describing it as a major step toward strengthening the academic and societal roles of both institutions for their mutual benefit.
Present at the meeting were a former Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Rosemond Boohene; the Vice- Dean of School of Business, Prof. Innocent Senyo Kwasi Acquah; the Director of the Design Thinking and Innovation Hub, Dr Edward Nii Amar Amarteifio; Dr. Charles Hackman Essel, Dr. Enoch Mensah-Williams and Mr. Richmond Asumadu.
