Ashesi University and Arizona State University (ASU) have signed a new partnership that deepens efforts from both universities to strengthen education outcomes in Africa. Under the new partnership, Engineering and Computer Science students from Ashesi will have the opportunity to pursue a 5-year accelerated academic programme that grants them a Bachelor’s Degree from Ashesi, and a Master’s Degree from ASU. Faculty from both universities will also mentor selected candidates and share knowledge to support teaching and learning.
Students for the programme will spend their first three years of study at Ashesi, during which they can apply to continue their studies at ASU. Selected students will complete an additional year of study at ASU, after which they will receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Ashesi. Following this, students will then be admitted to ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering for an additional year to complete their chosen Masters programme. Fees for the programme are fully funded under the Mastercard Scholars Programme at both Ashesi and ASU.
A first step to deeper collaboration
“While Ashesi has distinguished itself globally for delivering high-quality on the African continent, collaborations like these make us even stronger,” says Millicent Adjei, Director of Diversity and International Programmes at Ashesi. “This opportunity is not only a shorter pathway for our students to gain a high-impact Master’s Degree, it will also bring opportunities to collaborate globally. We are truly excited to be working with the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program and Arizona State University to offer some of the brightest students on the continent with this opportunity.”
With funding from the Mastercard Foundation, this partnership is the first step towards a broader vision of collaboration with ASU; and is a key goal of the Strengthening Institutional Linkages initiative led by ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teacher’s College and ASU’s Graduate College.
“The new cohort of students from Ashesi University will further strengthen our institutional ties and help accomplish our joint mission to educate leaders who can mobilize knowledge and effect positive changes in Africa,” says Dr. Enrique R. Vivoni, Associate Dean for Graduate Initiatives at the ASU Graduate College.
Emily Taylor, Strengthening Institutional Linkages Program Manager at ASU, adds, “It is a privilege and honor to support exceptional students in fulfilling their potential and making an impact, while also being a part of the institutional change and innovation this unique program requires and inspires at ASU.”