Asantehene secures scholarship for Ghanaian students at University of Memphis

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has brokered a deal for Ghanaian students to study at the University of Memphis, USA on scholarship.

It covers research for the award of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

As part of the deal, the students will also have the opportunity to undertake internship at some of the major industrial establishments in Memphis, Tennessee.

The deal followed a visit by His Majesty to Memphis, last year for the Memphis in May international festival , where as part of his schedule, he delivered a lecture at the University of Memphis, on the topic, “ Challenges in US and Africa Relations.”

In his speech, the King said he was looking forward to begin a collaboration between the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Memphis in the sciences and entrepreneurship development.

Scholarships Secretariat action

Following the visit, the Registrar of the Ghana Scholarship secretariat, Dr Kingsley Agyemang led a team to start negotiations with the University of Memphis.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat and the University of Memphis.

The delegation also met other stakeholders to ensure that the MoU met all legal requirements

Facebook post

Dr Agyemang took to social media to announce the deal.

“In furtherance to an invitation extended to His Royal Majesty, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, in May last year during the much- touted Memphis in May festival, the Ghana Scholarships Secretariat subsequently under the guidance of Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh, former Education Minister, took the necessary steps by securing an MoU with the University of Memphis.

“I am happy to report that last week, an MoU was successfully signed between the two institutions,” he posted on his Facebook page.

Importance

Dr Agyemang added: “It is important to underscore that the city of Memphis is the headquarters of so many globally acclaimed companies such as Fed Ex, Autozone, Sedgwick Jone Incorporated, International Paper, Baptist Memorial Healthcare, First Horizon National Incorporated (NYSE: FHN) and Mueller Industries.

“What this means is that academia and industry will gradually be bridged as these companies will provide essential Internship programmes for Ghanaian students. Discussions between thesecompaniesandtheGhanaScholarships Secretariat have started.”

He commended the Asantehene for brokering such an important deal for Ghanaian students and assured the University of Memphis that both countries will mutually benefit from this deal.

Entourage

The Ghanaian entourage also included Richard Gyamfi, Head of International Relations & Partnerships, Janet Koranteng, Head of Treasury, Ghana Embassy, Washington D.C., and Nana Owiredu Wadie, Member, Scholarship Review Committee.

The University of Memphis was represented by Dr. Abby L Parril, Interim Provost; Raaj Kurapati, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating & Financial Officer; Dr Balaji Krishnan, Vice Provost and International Affairs; Mrs Rebecca Laumann, Executive Director, Centre for International Education Services.

Background

The Memphis in May International Festival is the largest annual international festival in Tennessee, USA. It was founded in 1977 in the city of Memphis to celebrate the culture and the citizens who laid down their lives to build the glory of the city. The festival has since grown in several dimensions to incorporate the international community.

Each year, the organisers devote the festival to honour a particular country and it fell on Ghana in 2022.

The E ON 3 Group, which was given authorisation by the Bank of Ghana to mint the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin, the KGL Group and the KGL Foundation facilitated Otumfuo’s participation in the Memphis festival.