UHAS AND COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NURSINGS SCHOOLS EXPLORE COLLABORATION FOR CAPACITY BUILDING

A delegation from Columbia University School of Nursing interacted with the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) Management on Wednesday, September 17 and Friday, September 19, 2025 as part of capacity development collaboration efforts between Columbia University School of Nursing and UHAS School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM). 
The international collaboration is aimed at nursing exchange programmes, as catalysts for global health, equity and cultural competencies in research, nursing and midwifery education.
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Lydia Aziato, among other things, expressed the support of the University Management to the international collaboration. 

The Assistant Dean, Office of Global Initiatives, Columbia University, Professor Jennifer Dohrn, on her part, highlighted the challenges that necessitated the collaboration. Professor Dohrn said, as healthcare frontliners, nursing and midwifery healthcare professionals often lack resources and access to quality capacity development opportunities, hence the collaboration to address such challenges. She added that UHAS emerged as part of the collaboration upon a rigorous selection exercise from among other universities in Africa and called for a sustained commitment to the programme. 

Ms. Yu-hui Ferng, Director, Division of Global Health, Columbia University disclosed that, as part of the collaboration, nursing faculty and students from Columbia University are scheduled to undertake a 6-week clinical placement exchange programme in UHAS next year.  
Professor Peter Adatara, Dean of SONAM, expressed gratitude to managements of UHAS and Columbia University for the opportunity and gave the assurance of his School towards the success of the programme.
The delegation also interacted with Heads of Department (HoDs) of SONAM and toured some facilities including the UHAS Simulation Centre, Ho Teaching Hospital and other clinical sites. 

Also present were the Registrar, Ms. Yaa Amankwaa Opuni, Director of Finance, Mr. James Abrah, Director of Academic Affairs, Dr. Cedric Dorkenoo and other faculty and staff of the University.