The University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) has celebrated its annual International Day, reaffirming its mission to promote equity, inclusivity, and sustainable partnerships as a hub for international academic excellence in the Global South.
The day which falls on July 24 was on the theme: “Bridging the Gap: Internationalisation and Equity in Higher Education.”
Held at the university’s main campus in Ho, the event brought together scholars, students, international partners, and dignitaries to reflect on the role of global collaboration and inclusivity in advancing higher education, particularly in the Global South.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Florent Rutagarama, Dean of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Rwanda, highlighted the importance of sustainable international academic partnerships for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and development.
He noted that despite their potential, such partnerships often face systemic obstacles.

“Barriers such as financial constraints, technological disparities, misaligned institutional priorities, and lack of sustained engagement hinder equitable collaboration,” he said.
“The first step in addressing these is acknowledging them. Only then can we design solutions that foster lasting, impactful cooperation.”
Prof. Rutagarama outlined practical strategies for overcoming these challenges, including: Innovative funding models such as public-private partnerships and community-led crowdfunding; Inclusive stakeholder engagement; and Cross-cultural training programs to build trust and understanding.
He also emphasised that universities in the Global South grapple with additional hurdles such as political instability, insufficient funding, and cultural differences that can jeopardise well-intentioned collaborations if left unaddressed.
Underscoring the importance of cultural competence, Prof. Rutagarama said even shared languages like English or French can mask deeper differences in communication styles and technical language, leading to misunderstandings.
He recommended:Language support programs, Cultural awareness training, and Participatory communication frameworks to enhance collaboration.
“Effective communication and mutual respect are the cornerstones of successful partnerships,” he said, urging institutions to prioritise openness, adaptability, and periodic evaluations of collaborative efforts.
Ms. Ernestina Adu, representing the Ghanaian European Centre for Jobs, Migration, and Development, reiterated the need for equitable access to global academic platforms.
“International Day is not just a celebration of culture. It is a call to ensure that knowledge and innovation are accessible to all, not a privileged few,” she said.

She commended UHAS for its proactive internationalisation efforts and highlighted the Centre’s support for scholarships, such as Erasmus+, and exchange opportunities for students, healthcare workers, and professionals.
In her address, Prof. Lydia Aziato, Vice Chancellor of UHAS, affirmed the university’s dedication to international collaboration and acknowledged the vital role of global partnerships in its development.
“During critical milestones—like the accreditation of our School of Medicine—our Cuban and other international partners provided invaluable support. Some have stood by us for over a decade,” she noted.
Prof. Aziato disclosed that UHAS currently maintains 77 institutional partnerships, while calling on inactive collaborators to renew their engagement. She also drew attention to the university’s underutilised state-of-the-art Simulation Centre, appealing for support to fully operationalise it in line with global standards.
Identifying emerging areas such as machine learning, disease modelling, robotics, and health technology, she expressed UHAS’s commitment to forming new partnerships that will drive innovation and improve health outcomes.
The Vice Chancellor also pointed to UHAS’s strategic location near Togo and Benin as an asset for regional integration, announcing plans to introduce French and English proficiency programs to attract Francophone students.
The International Day celebration is a flagship event at UHAS, dedicated to recognising the contributions of its international community and promoting a culture of global inclusion.