The University for Development Studies (UDS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science (WAPCMLS) at the Central Administration at the Tamale Campus at Dungu on July 4, 2022.

The MoU among other things are aims at fostering Collaborations in the training/research works of post-graduate students (MPhil and PhD) of either party; Holding of relevant courses at UDS by Professors from WAPCMLS in the near future; Development of new relevant programmes at UDS in the near future; Co-operation for mutual advice or advice to third parties and offering specialized training for such third parties; Exchange of teaching and research personnel within the sphere of teaching and research and to explore ways to advance research and learning innovations between UDS and WAPCMLS as mandated or charged by their respective statutes of establishment. The MoU also spells out the roles expected of the two institutions in achieving the aims.
 
Mr. Nurudeen Issah Abubakar, the Registrar of UDS who signed the MoU on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gabriel Ayum Teye, said the document has become an invaluable tool of collaboration between the two Institutions. He added that it will be a win-win situation and that, licensed Medical Laboratory Scientists can embark on dual certification programmes through either UDS or WAPCMLS. He gave details of the programmes to be considered including MPhil/Membership in Chemical Pathology, PhD/Fellowship in Chemical Pathology, MPhil/Membership in Clinical Microbiology, and PhD/Fellowship in Clinical Microbiology.

Professor. Nafiu Amidu, Dean of School of Allied Health Science (SAHS), who is also the President of WAPCMLS, expressed his excitement for the opportunity to collaborate with UDS and said that, it is an opportunity to design and implement programmes that will help meet the human resource needs in the health sector, especially in laboratory Sciences. He added that, the Doctor of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences was introduced in the school to resolve the challenges of professionals going into academia. Now it has become a model that has been understudied and implemented by several institutions of learning across west Africa.

The Registrar of the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr. Godswill Chikwendu Okara, said that this epochal event will mark another milestone in the history of UDS and the College. He added that UDS has proved to be the flagship of undergraduate medical laboratory science training in the model of the six-year Medical Laboratory Science Doctorate (MLSD) degree programme that was approved by West African Health Organization (WAHO).  He reiterated that, there is no doubt that UDS is on its way to emerging as a Centre of Excellence in Medical Laboratory Science training, research and practice in West Africa with the signing of the MoU with the College today. Dr. Godwill further, said that the collaboration will help to broaden knowledge and bridge the deficiency gap in health service delivery in West Africa. He finally stated that, on behalf of the College and the body of medical laboratory Scientists in the fifteen (15) ECOWAS member countries and Cameroon, to place on record, their profound gratitude and deep appreciation to the Management and academic leadership of UDS for the signing of the MoU today.

Professor Courage Saba, Director of International Relations and Advancement (DIRA), of UDS, thanked both parties for the cooperation and said that through the MoU a Laboratory will be built to cater for diseases that we contacted countries like, South Africa for diagnosis.
 
Dr. Godswill Chikwendu Okara, in talking with university relations gave a brief history of WAPCMLS as follows; 
Also present at the ceremony were; Professor Shamsu-Deen Ziblim, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance DAPQA, Dr. Prince Sodoke Amuzu, Board of Trustee, WAPCMLS

BRIEF HISTORY OF WAPCMLS

On the 10th of June, 2010 in Nairobi Kenya, the delegates from West Africa at the 29th World Congress of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) met and agreed to form a platform for training and developing the much-needed specialist laboratory manpower for enhanced and effective healthcare service and diagnostic capacity in the sub-region. The name, West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science (WAPCMLS) was adopted by the delegates in attendance at the meeting.

The proposal to establish the College was enthusiastically received by all in attendance at the meeting, and it was tagged: The Nairobi Initiative. Delegates from Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Cameroun were in attendance at the meeting in Nairobi.

The ECOWAS President was formally informed about the Initiative. A request was made for the guidance of the ECOWAS Authority on the process and procedure for getting the recognition and assistance of ECOWAS for the College. It was accordingly provided and meticulously followed ever since.

Story by:
Isaac E. Dramani
(University Relations)