The MANDELA Project team at the University for Development Studies (UDS) has paid a courtesy call on the University’s new Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Muniru, to introduce its members and brief him on the project’s objectives, planned activities and expected outcomes.

The meeting provided an opportunity for the team to outline UDS’s role in the international consortium and highlight how the project contributes to strengthening intercultural understanding, promoting innovative teaching approaches and advancing cultural diplomacy in higher education.

Vice-Chancellor Reaffirms UDS Support

Welcoming the team, Prof. Muniru expressed the University’s appreciation for the initiative and reaffirmed UDS’s support for the project. He encouraged team members to take full advantage of the opportunities offered by the collaboration to strengthen their professional capacities, promote the University’s values and share their knowledge and experiences with the wider university community.

He further emphasised the importance of translating the knowledge and experiences gained through the project into meaningful contributions to the University’s development, particularly in enhancing its international outlook and strengthening engagement with academic institutions and partners beyond Ghana.

The Vice-Chancellor’s remarks underscored the importance of ensuring that participation in international projects goes beyond individual learning to generate institutional benefits through knowledge sharing, improved teaching practices and stronger international collaboration.

UDS Leads Dissemination, Exploitation and Sustainability

As a member of the MANDELA Project consortium, UDS leads the work package on Dissemination, Exploitation and Sustainability. This role involves coordinating efforts to increase the visibility of the project, promote the uptake and application of its results, and support the long-term sustainability and impact of its outcomes.

Through this work package, the University contributes to ensuring that the knowledge, methodologies and resources developed through the project reach relevant audiences and continue to provide value beyond the project’s implementation period.

The work also presents an opportunity for UDS to strengthen its institutional communication, share good practices with partner institutions and promote the wider application of innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

Advancing Cultural Diplomacy Through Innovative Teaching

During the meeting, the team also briefed the Vice-Chancellor on an upcoming hands-on training in Cultural Diplomacy for UDS academic staff.

The training is designed to support academic staff in developing cultural diplomacy modules for their courses and integrating innovative pedagogical approaches into existing teaching practices. It will also provide opportunities for participants to explore how cultural exchange, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding can be incorporated into higher education.

The initiative aligns with the broader objectives of the MANDELA Project, which seeks to strengthen cultural diplomacy education and promote intercultural understanding through collaboration among higher education institutions and other partners.

By engaging academic staff directly, the training is expected to support the practical application of the project’s approaches within the University’s teaching and learning environment, while encouraging knowledge sharing across faculties.

Strengthening UDS’s International Outlook

The courtesy call reflects the importance of institutional leadership and support in ensuring the successful implementation of international collaborative projects. It also highlights the potential of the MANDELA Project to contribute to UDS’s capacity development, international engagement and adoption of innovative teaching practices.

With UDS leading the Dissemination, Exploitation and Sustainability work package, the University will continue to contribute to communicating the project’s achievements, encouraging the application of its results and supporting their long-term value within and beyond the consortium.

Through initiatives such as the MANDELA Project, UDS continues to create opportunities for academic collaboration, professional development and the exchange of knowledge and experiences, strengthening its engagement with the international higher education community.

Bukari Ayuba
UDS Media