While Ashesi’s Beyond the Horizon strategic plan set a long-term vision for this decade, 2025 has been a year of significant momentum.
The University welcomed its first cohorts into the Intelligent Computing Systems graduate program and the Ashesi MBA, further extending academic programs into areas shaping Africa’s digital and economic future.
At the undergraduate level, Ashesi admitted pioneering students into new Economics, Mechatronic Engineering, Bioengineering, and Law with Public Policy programs.
Beyond new degree programs, the Center for Leadership introduced its executive education offerings, reaching professionals and senior leaders seeking practical frameworks for growing their impact.
Members of Ashesi's Class of 2028, during their orientation this year. The class represents 23 countries and 171 high schools across Africa, Europe, and North America.
Ashesi's new graduate students brought new milestones. Among them is Twum-Ampofo M'27, who currently works with 2,000+ smallholder farmers to expand sustainability initiatives and looks to grow her network as a member of Ashesi's pioneer MBA class.
Participants join the Center for Leadership's Masterclass Session with MTN Group's Ebenezer Asante. The 2-day session focused on how business leaders could harness data for better decision-making.
The pioneer cohort of Ashesi's Master's in Mechatronic Engineering, the first graduate students in Ashesi's history, celebrated their commencement, a historic milestone for Ashesi's academic program expansion.
The University introduced a dual-intake admissions model, which enables an increase in enrolment capacity while preserving Ashesi’s academic quality and learning experience.
Implementing this shift required a redesign of academic calendars, and brings new opportunities for students to join Ashesi’s community. The physical expansion of our campus progressed in parallel.
The University opened its largest student residence, increasing on-campus housing capacity significantly; construction advanced on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Innovation Building, set to be completed in June of 2026; and the University broke ground for construction on a Leadership Building.
The building will house multiple learning spaces as well as a 1400-seater auditorium, creating a dedicated space for leadership development, convening, and dialogue.
Ashesi's campus continues to grow alongside the university's academic and community growth.
Ashesi President Patrick Awuah, and University Board Chair Sangu Delle, lead a tour of the STEM Building construction with Board members.
A courtyard view of Ashesi's Student Dorm 2E, a day before it was opened to students this year.
Members of the Ashesi Class of 2029's Cohort A kicked off our dual intake system this year. The new admissions cycle will see Ashesi enrolling approximately 750 undergraduate students each year.
Ashesi made a formal commitment to pursuing R2 research university status in 2025, signaling ambitions to deepen research output, graduate training, and scholarly contribution.
This commitment was reinforced by the appointment of a Dean of Research and Innovation, bringing focused leadership for this ambition.
At the student level, research and innovation activity received renewed emphasis, supported by new programs, facilities, and partnerships.
These efforts laid the groundwork for a collaborative research culture, complementing Ashesi’s long-standing strength in teaching.
As Dean of Research and Innovation, Dr. Yaw Bediako brings years of experience as an immunologist and biotech entrepreneur to the Ashesi innovation ecosystem. Photo credit: Yemaachi Biotech.
Competing under the name “PentaVib”, Ashesi's 2025 International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition team earned a silver medal in Paris for their biology-based approach to coastal erosion. They also received nominations in four categories: Best Project in Bioremediation, Best Measurement, Best Wiki, and Best Education.
Dr. Elena Rosca, Head of Ashesi's Engineering Department, addresses students at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Conference.
Graduate student Precious Odekunle M'25 receives grant funding to support his research. The Solar and Mechatronics Innovation award was organised by Ashesi's Center for Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Arthur Waser Foundation.
The impact of Ashesi’s work is most visible beyond the University itself, including through contributions to advancing education and leadership. In 2025, Ashesi’s work connected to broader efforts to strengthen institutions and expand opportunity.
Executive Director of The Education Collaborative, Rose Dodd, welcomes Rwanda's Minister of Education to the Collaborative's 2025 June Convening in Kigali. 2025 marked the first time the convening was held outside of Ghana, and the 280 attendees represented 79 African institutions.
Dr. Esi Ansah, Executive Director of Ashesi's Center for Leadership was appointed to Ghana’s Constitution Review Committee, bringing her expertise to a national civic process. Photo Credit: Office of the President, Ghana
In recognition of his work in higher education in Africa, Ashesi President Patrick Awuah was named one of three 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize laureates during a ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea. Other recipients were co-founder of Global Citizen Hugh Evans, and Chairperson of the Green Belt Movement Wanjira Maathai. Photo Credit: Sunhak Peace Prize
Teams from Ashesi joined global colleagues at this year's World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in African Higher Education. The teams presented on two reports commissioned by WISE to explore opportunities for reshaping learning for students across Africa using AI.
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to education, public health, and economic empowerment, Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy was named the inaugural recipient of the Ashesi University Medal. The award, the highest the University can confer, was presented to Roy during the year’s Commencement Ceremony.
Ashesi's Career Services Office convene employer partners for a day-long conference. The convening focused on ways to strengthen career preparation for students.
The 2025 Global Business School Network (GBSN) Beyond Conference, hosted at Ashesi, focused discussions on “Entrepreneurs, Enterprises, and Ecosystems.” The event brought together industry leaders, grassroots cooperatives, and government agencies to explore how business education and innovation can accelerate Africa’s growth.
Attendees at the inaugural Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) conference at Ashesi, share conversation. The conference, led by the Office of the Provost, brought together faculty, researchers, students, and leaders from 20 universities.
Representatives from the Mastercard Foundation NKABOM agribusiness network, visited Ashesi for a networking day. The NKABOM initiative aims to transform food and nutrition systems through youth leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The past year brought together many moments that advanced our work, some visible, and others less so. Together, they enabled Ashesi’s momentum, and laid the groundwork for our direction in 2026.
Alumni and other representatives from Bank of America join students on campus to discuss career opportunities at the organisation, and help interested students understand ways to take advantage.
The University's 2025 retreat provided opportunity to strategize ahead of a new academic year, and align around goals for entrepreneurship, research, and the student experience.
Students from Cameroon dancing during an event to celebrate the over 30 countries represented at Ashesi.
Members of the 2025 Ashesi Student Council team share a group photo during the past year's Ubora awards ceremony. The ceremony celebrates student leadership and excellence.
The women's football team at Ashesi poses for a photo ahead of their match during the Global Football Festival. The Festival, led by Wun-nam Haruna '27, also featured basketball and volleyball games, and brought several university sports teams to Ashesi's campus.
Three Ashesi Alumni were selected for the pioneering cohort of the African School of Governance Master’s in Public Administration program in Kigali; with alumnus John Ayomah '24 being elected as Vice President for its inaugural student council. The graduate-level institution seeks to develop purpose-driven African leaders through world-class public policy and leadership programs.
Alumni in Nairobi gather for a networking event earlier in 2025. The event was part of a series of events spanning Accra, Nairobi, Kigali, London, and New York; signaling the growing reach of Ashesi's alumni network around the world.
Ashesi alumna Ayeyi Ohene-Adu ’23 (right) was selected as a McCall MacBain Scholar for a funded master’s degree and leadership program at McGill University in Canada. Ohene-Adu was the only Scholar from an African university in this year’s cohort, and shares the photo with fellow alumnus Daniel Amoshie '24, who was awarded the scholarship in 2024.
