By Esther Mateyko Kumah
Accra, Sept. 25, GNA – Wisconsin International University College Ghana (WIUC-Ghana) and Riphah International University of Pakistan are exploring the establishment of a state-of-the-art Dental School in Ghana as part of a broader academic partnership.
The proposed school is expected to expand access to quality dental education, research, innovation and clinical services, while drawing on Riphah International University’s experience in dental education and the academic strengths of WIUC-Ghana.
The initiative forms part of a collaboration between the two institutions following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 15, 2026.
The partnership covers teaching and research, faculty and student exchanges, capacity building, professional development and the development of emerging academic programmes, subject to relevant regulatory and accreditation requirements.
The two institutions inaugurated a Joint Steering Committee in Accra on Thursday to provide strategic direction for translating the partnership into practical and mutually beneficial programmes.
The inauguration, held both in-person and virtually, brought together academic leaders and stakeholders from Ghana and Pakistan, including the High Commissioner of Pakistan to Ghana, Mr Najeeb Durrani, representatives of the two universities, members of the Joint Steering Committee and faculty members.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Lawrence A. Kannae, President of WIUC-Ghana, said the proposed dental school was one of the most ambitious areas of the partnership.
He said the school would respond to a national need by expanding opportunities for quality dental education, research and clinical training.
Dr Kannae said WIUC-Ghana would seek to combine Riphah International University’s experience in the dental sector with the academic expertise and human resources of the two institutions.
He said the partnership was anchored on a shared commitment to academic excellence, innovation, ethical values and producing graduates who were globally relevant and locally impactful.
Dr Kannae said the inauguration of the Joint Steering Committee represented more than the establishment of a coordinating body, describing it as a step towards building a bridge of knowledge, culture and friendship between Ghana and Pakistan.
He said both institutions had experienced lecturers, researchers, professionals and specialists whose expertise could be shared to strengthen capacity and promote professional development.
Dr Kannae reaffirmed the commitment of the two institutions to ensuring that the development and implementation of all programmes complied with applicable academic, regulatory and accreditation requirements.
The Joint Steering Committee said its immediate task was to translate the MoU into formal agreements covering teaching, research, academic engagement and institutional development.
It said the institutions would build on their existing academic programmes, institutional strengths and human resources to promote faculty collaboration, teaching and research.
The Committee said it would also explore jointly delivered certification and professional development programmes, including possible subsidised access to selected programmes, subject to applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements.
It said emerging academic programmes would also be identified and developed for possible joint delivery by the two institutions.
On the proposed dental school, the committee said WIUC-Ghana was, particularly, interested in learning from Riphah International University’s experience in dental education to inform the development of dental education in Ghana.
It emphasised that all proposed programmes, including those in health sciences and dental education, would have to comply with applicable regulatory and accreditation frameworks to ensure sustainable academic development.
The Committee described the partnership as a progression “from an MoU to meaningful collaboration, from collaboration to capacity building, from capacity building to joint programmes, and from joint programmes to sustainable institutional development.”
The Chancellor of Riphah International University, Dr Hassan Muhammad Khan, welcomed the partnership and said the collaboration should develop into an institutionally meaningful relationship between Ghana and Pakistan.
He said the partnership should go beyond the formal signing of agreements and create tangible opportunities for students, faculty members and researchers.
The Chancellor emphasised the importance of academic excellence, knowledge sharing and partnerships that responded
to the changing needs of society.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage