Professors Beryl Pilkington and Linda Juergensen (above, second and forth from left) of York University, Toronto, are engaging with two PhD Candidates, Mrs. Irene Torshie Attachie and Mr. Milipaak Japiong (far left and second from right), who are currently pursuing their doctorates at York University as part an existing partnership between York and UHAS dubbed, ‘Advancing Scholarship for Emerging Nursing Doctorates’ (ASCEND). During their 10-day visit from January 11 to January 20, 2021, the two professors will also engage various constituencies of UHAS involved in advancing the programme.

During a courtesy call on Vice Chancellor Professor John O. Gyapong (pictured above centre), he highly commended York University’s readiness to accept UHAS’ request to train two additional faculty members to acquire PhDs, making a total of four beneficiaries from UHAS. The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission requires each university to ensure that faculty members possess terminal degrees; thus, the training of more PhD candidates would help UHAS toward fulfilling this requirement.

Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), Prof. Ernestina S. Donkor, said that there would be a rigorous and competitive process to identify the additional two candidates for the programme.

During a similar call on the Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. Seth Owusu Adjei (seated in background), he said he hoped the process could be expedited to ensure that candidates pursuing terminal degrees would complete in time to enable them bring their new knowledge to bear on the work of SONAM.

The Registrar, Dr. Cynthia S. Kpeglo (below left) requested that the visiting team share their experiences with UHAS as part of the process of building the relationship between the two partners.

Professors Beryl Pilkington and Linda Juergensen thanked the management of UHAS for the warm reception given them.