Students and faculty, have you ever thought about taking your studies or research to Africa? The U now has a new base of operations and several exciting programs on the continent made possible through a formal collaboration with Ensign College of Public Health in Kpong, Ghana and the U’s Office for Global Engagement.
The team in the U West Africa Program estimate that over 150 U students will engage in meaningful experiences in Ghana in 2020. Students interested in health, community, economic development, and becoming global leaders are encouraged to apply now for summer and fall courses.
Faculty are invited to consider ways that their research interests intersect with the challenges and opportunities in West Africa. The partnership with Ensign Global offers faculty the tools, location and relationships needed for context-informed and impact-driven research.
There are even offerings for high school students.
“This global partnership opportunity comes at a time when the University of Utah is truly on the rise,” said Dr. Stephen C. Alder, Special Advisor for the West Africa Program in the Office for Global Engagement. “I have no doubt that our U students and faculty will help to greatly improve health and economic development for the people of West Africa while gaining meaningful and expansive global experiences that will have impact back in Utah.”
High school & U students
In March, undergraduate students who enroll in a Poverty Alleviation and Entrepreneurship course will conduct consultations with local businesses to increase their economic impact. This summer, Ensign College will host Honors College students for two months in the new Health in Context emphasis. The college will also host month-long programs for high school students and interns through the Ensign Global Leaders program, and an Eccles Global Health & Development course. Many of these programs are currently accepting applications, learn more here. Follow Ensign Global on Instagram for program updates.
Faculty
Established programs and access to Ensign College’s state-of-the-art campus also present exciting opportunities for U faculty engagement in West Africa.
In 2017, a cooperative agreement was awarded to the U by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office for American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) to fund construction of a new facility to house and establish an Institute for Community Health and Development at Ensign College. The Institute will focus on using impact-driven research and innovation to advance the well-being of families and communities. Health 2 Go, another U West Africa program, trains community members to deliver basic health services to rural communities.
The formal collaboration with Ensign College will also allow U departments and faculty to host courses, conferences, and workshops in Ghana. The campus includes a conference center, guest accommodations, classrooms, auditorium, and on-site culinary service.
Learn more about these exciting new study and research opportunities here, and follow Ensign Global on Instagram.
