The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in the Volta Region has extended a partnership appeal to to the international world to advance training in health technology to enhance the country’s healthcare system.

The University aims to acquire an infrastructure and human resources to help train students to apply organized knowledge and skills to solve complex health problems.

Prof Lydia Aziato underscored the significance of health technology addressing the 2025 edition of the UHAS International Day, themed “Bridging the gap: Internationalization and Equity in Higher Education.”

She also outlined that the university is poised to form partnership to render courses in areas such as machine learning, disease modelling, robotics, and among others to advance the country's universal health coverage agenda.

International Partnerships

She said that the University has established 77 institutional partnerships, aiming to improve on this to achieve its global impact objectives.

Prof. Aziato disclosed the University’s plans to introduce French and English proficiency programs to attract Francophone students due to the University’s strategic location in proximity to Togo and Benin.

“We pride ourselves in the international arena with a rich portfolio in the development of strategic partnerships. We aim to bring health and allied sciences to new heights through innovative teaching and cutting-edge community-oriented research.”

“The University is open to establishing academic and cooperative linkages with international universities, institutes, and organisations across the globe to enhance teaching, research, and cultural integration. This is meant to advance knowledge through scholarship and research and provide patient care and services that would improve health and quality of life”, she said.

Underutilised Simulation Centre

Prof Lydia Aziato underscored the underutilization of a state-of-the-art Simulation Centre, which is housed at the China Phase Two Project site. It houses labs, theaters, labor units, gymnasium among others.

She appealed for support to fully operationalise the Center is equipped with a wide range of standard health equipment which would enhance training of students.

UHAS’ Cultural Diversity

The Dean of the Office of International Programme of UHAS, Prof Elvis Tarkang, indicated that the University prioritizes diversity in enrolling students and recruiting staff, to advance its “internationalization agenda.”

He stressed his outfit would commit to ensuring an enabling environment for the international staff and faculty, to sustain the Uviversity's reputation on the global stage.

International Academic Partnership

The Dean of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Rwanda, Prof. Florent Rutagarama, shed light on the significance of international academic partnerships towards attaining global objectives.

Delivering the keynote address, he underscored that systemic obstacles have hindered these partnerships which drives knowledge exchange, capacity building, and development among others.

He outlined that “barriers such as financial constraints, technological disparities, misaligned institutional priorities, and lack of sustained engagement hinder equitable collaboration."

He listed innovative funding models such as public-private partnerships and community-led crowdfunding, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and introduction of cross-cultural training programs as practical strategies to overcome the identified obstacles.

UHAS currently has international partners from 24 countries across the world, with international staff and students from 5 and 3 countries respectively.