Ho Technical University on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 marked its maiden International Students Day on theme, ‘Becoming a reputable Technical University through Internationalisation‘.
The event, which was under the auspices of the Office of International Programmes and Institutional Linkages (IPIL), was aimed at projecting the University’s international and cultural diversities.
Dr. Paulina Adzoyi, Dean of International Programmes said, the event was also to provide platform for both beneficiaries of various exchange programmes, and international students in the University to share their varied experiences with the University Community.
According to her, the office, which handles the University’s external relations, has over the years coordinated various exchange programs for staff and students of HTU and other partner institutions globally.
‘Through the resilient efforts of the office, the University has had collaborations with other Universities and Institutions which has resulted in over thirty (30) aggreements. These agreements have secured joint projects and research, staff and students exchange programmes, staff capacity building, among others.’
She highlighted students’ participation in the United States Community College Initiative Programme, academic exchanges with the selected universities in Finland and Germany, as some of the recent collaborations the office has succesfully coordinated.
Dr. Adzoyi further noted that, aside four Finland students who are currently on an inbound exchange programme at HTU, the University has also registered other nationals within Africa currently pursuing various programmes in the University as international students.
She however indicated her office would pursue various strategies to attract more international students into the University to deepen its internationalisation agenda.
The occasion saw, the showcasing of the unique cultures from Benin and Gabon, and experiece sharing from the United States, Finland and Germany by HTU exhange students.
They highlighted experiences on cultural shock, punctuality, volunteerism, internship, among others..
In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ben Q. Honyenuga said, internationalisation remain a key strategic objective of the University Management, and instituting the International Students Day was a further step towards achieving that objective.
He noted that, internationalising the University would create a more diverse academic environment, which will foster peaceful co-existence among members of the University Community.
In addition, it would also impact positively on the outlook and ratings of HTU among its peers.
The VC therefore reiterated Management’s resolve to explore various avenues to give the necessary international exposure to the University, through aggressive pursuit of foreign students, and collaborations.
‘We have instituted the international students day to appreciate and learn about the culture diversity of our international students, and collaborators. It is also an occasion to share experiences from the various exchange programmes embarked on by our students,’ he stated.
Prof. Honyenuga also charged staff to give the needed attention and assistance to international students on campus, in order for them to integrate properly within the University Community, to empower them become conduits through which other students across the continent would be attracted.
He also tasked the office of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and the College of Deans to find ways to adopt some of the experiences, especially volunteerism as part of the curricular of the University.
The ceremony was attended by members of the University Management, including the Prof. Christopher Mensah, Pro-VC, Dr. Christopher K. Amehoe, Registrar.