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Towards Many Joint Accomplishments – University of Potsdam Strengthens Cooperation with Partners in Ghana and Nigeria

The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Education Winneba in Ghana.
The University of Potsdam delegation at the German International School Accra in Ghana.
The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Ghana.
Photo : Katharina Schmitt
The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.
Photo : Katharina Schmitt
The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Education Winneba in Ghana.
Photo : Katharina Schmitt
The University of Potsdam delegation at the German International School Accra in Ghana.
Photo : Katharina Schmitt
The University of Potsdam delegation at the University of Ghana.

The University of Potsdam is further expanding its cooperation with universities and educational institutions in Nigeria and Ghana. That is the result of a trip taken by a Potsdam delegation headed by University President Prof. Oliver Günther, Ph.D., from October 30 to November 4 to visit several institutions in both countries. The program included meetings at the University of Ibadan in Nigeria and in Ghana at the University of Education Winneba, the University of Ghana, and the German International School Accra. "Science builds bridges and opens doors or keeps them open," Oliver Günther said. "This is important in view of global political developments. Above all, however, collaboration with our African partners holds great potential – for our students and for joint research on a level playing field. Both sides contribute their expertise and learn from each other in the process."

Some of the institutions that the delegation visited have long-standing links with the Department of English and American Studies as well as Linguistics and German Didactics, the Institute of Biology and Biochemistry, and the Center for Teacher Training and Education Research. These collaborations give students the opportunity to go on field trips, spend some time studying at the partner institutions, or complete a compulsory internship there as part of their teaching degree. Potsdam students can complete their final internship semester or a regular internship abroad at the German International School Accra. In addition, Potsdam academics foster various research collaborations with Ghana and Nigeria. Linguist Prof. Natalie Boll-Avetysian, for example, conducted the first experimental study on early language acquisition in babies on the African continent together with researchers from Accra. English studies expert Prof. Hans-Georg Wolf, who researches West African variations of English, has long-standing relationships with all three universities visited – both through field trips with students and through joint research projects.

The UP aims to strengthen and expand cooperation with partners in Nigeria and Ghana in the future. "Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the international priority regions with which the University of Potsdam has long maintained intensive relations," explains Katharina Schmitt, Head of the International Office at the University of Potsdam. "In the future, we want to offer even more students the opportunity to go there and gain the valuable experience of interning or studying abroad. And we want to create the right framework conditions for fruitful research collaboration. It is important that we do this responsibly, sustainably, and on a level playing field: We can learn a lot from our partners, e.g. how to deal with a diverse university community," emphasizes Katharina Schmitt and adds: "Digital opportunities for international cooperation also play a major role in this region in particular. That is how we can ensure no one is excluded due to lacking the necessary resources."

Contact:
Katharina Schmitt, Head of the International Office at the University of Potsdam
E-Mail: kath.schmittuni-potsdamde
Phone: +49 331 977-1533

Media information 08-11-2024 / No. 103

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