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News from 2004
Jan-Mar | Apr-June | Jul-Sep | Oct-Dec

Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Ashesi Founder address Seattle audience
June 2004
On June 23rd 2004, Prof. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Studies at Harvard University, joined Ashesi Founder, Mr. Patrick Awuah for a presentation on the on links between Africa and African-Americans.

Prof. Gates discussed the genesis and significance of the Encyclopedia Africana project. Prof. Gates through a series of engaging and often humorous stories explained how W.E.B Du Bois's vision for an Africana Encyclopedia was brought to fruition.

In his presentation, Prof Gates explained that W.E.B Du Bois's primary motivation for creating an Encyclopedia of African history and accomplishment, was his deep belief in the importance of such work, not only to document African history, but to serve as a means of alleviating racism and improving relations between blacks and other races. Dr. Du Bois believed that a document of African accomplishment would help make Africans more respected in the world. Unfortunately, because of funding constraints, W.E.B Du Bois was unable to complete the encyclopedia. Prof. Gates and co-author, Dr. Anthony Appiah of Princeton, took on the challenge, and after 25 years of searching for funding, accomplished Dr. Du Bois' dream thanks to investments from Microsoft Corporation and Perseus Books.

Prof. Gates and his colleagues have created an educational curriculum that has been distributed to teachers throughout the United States to encourage them to use the Encyclopedia Africana and teach black history in their classrooms.

Following Prof. Gates, Patrick Awuah, Jr., founder of Ashesi University, shared his thoughts about the role higher education can play in Africa's future development. Mr. Awuah decided to start Ashesi University, in a vision similar to that of Dr. Du Bois and Dr. Gates, to help spur accomplishment on the African continent. Mr. Awuah described the need for a phenomenon in Africa similar to the development of the Asian Tiger economies in Asia (Japan, S. Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong), whose success changed the way the world perceived Asians, and fundamentally made the world a better place for Asians both in Asia and abroad.

In his presentation Mr. Awuah referenced a recent study by the World Bank which found that higher education was of critical importance to the economic success of the Asian Tiger nations (click here to read more about this report). Drawing parallels between South Korea and Ghana, which had very similar economic standings in the 1950's & 60's, Mr. Awuah showed how investments in higher education, specifically private higher education in South Korea, led to long-term economic growth and the development of a skilled labor pool that were not matched in Ghana over the same time period. If similar investments in higher education are made in Ghana, Mr. Awuah believes that similar results can be achieved.

Mr. Awuah discussed how Ashesi University seeks to serve as a catalyst for future accomplishment in Africa. The mission of the University is training a new generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers that will have the skills to succeed in the global economy. Mr. Awuah noted that Ashesi's achievements to date have been made possible mainly through the philanthropic contributions of individuals around the world who believe strongly in the power of higher education. He believes such investments in higher education in Africa must continue for lasting change in Africa to occur.

Following the presentation there was a lively question and answer session featuring queries from the audience. Prof. Gates signed books and chatted with audience members in the lobby to conclude the evening. (Click here to view more photos of the event)

Ashesi Founder presented Doctorate from Swarthmore College
June 2004
Swarthmore College President Alfred H. Bloom awarded Ashesi Founder, Patrick Awuah, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of his work to promote liberal arts education in Ghana. The presentation was made during Swarthmore's commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 30th.  Mr. Awuah was asked to speak during the ceremony to Swarthmore's graduating class of 2004. Click here to read a transcript of his full speech.

Mr. Awuah graduated from Swarthmore College in 1989 with degrees in Economics and Engineering. Mr. Awuah credits the education he received at Swarthmore college as a model for the curriculum he helped develop at Ashesi University. Faculty from Swarthmore assisted in the design of Ashesi's liberal arts core curriculum and currently serve as external examiners for several Ashesi courses. In 2001 Ashesi and Swarthmore College signed a collaborative agreement to work together to develop the liberal arts model in Ghana. Click here to see a video clip of the ceremony.

Study Abroad program to begin in August 2004
May 2004
Ashesi is currently accepting applications from students at accredited universities in the United States that wish to study abroad in Ghana. Ashesi's Study Abroad program provides a unique opportunity for international students to experience life and learning in a developing country that is going through a profound political and economic transformation. From cultural classes in Africana studies, to courses in economics, businesses administration, and computer science, study abroad students will take courses with full-time Ashesi students from across Africa. Students wishing to participate should contact the Foundation office in Seattle, Washington for more information. To learn more about Ashesi's Study Abroad program please click here.

Ashesi Apartments to serve as housing for incoming students
May 2004
We have recently completed renovations on a new dormitory facility located near Danquah Circle, that will house Ashesi students as well as international and study abroad students that are attending the university. Dubbed the "Ashesi Apartments," residents will share 3 bedroom apartments complete with kitchen, living room, dining room, 2 bathrooms, and laundry facilities. The Apartments are managed by a full-time Ashesi staff caretaker, and have limited janitorial services. Though the facilities are located in a very safe neighborhood, the facility has been equipped with a security alarm system and rapid emergency response services just in case of an emergency. The apartments are conveniently located near shopping, restaurants and the police station and are a short ten minute walk from campus. For more information about housing options for Ashesi students please click here.

Sixth UC Berkeley team undertakes a market research study for Ashesi
May 2004
Since 1998, UC Berkeley's Clausen Center for International Business and Policy has provided consistent support for what was first an idea and has now become the thriving academic community of Ashesi University. Over the last seven years, Ashesi has engaged six teams of graduate business students from the center's International Business Development (IBD) program, which assigns MBA consulting teams to projects throughout the world. IBD clients range from large multinationals to small not-for-profit organizations and cover a wide variety of industries.

Combining their primary research findings in Ghana with secondary research done both in the US and in Ghana, IBD teams have conducted various studies for Ashesi - ranging from the initial feasibility study for the creation of a new, private university in Ghana and a similar study for programmatic expansion into the health sciences, to an assessment of job placement prospects for Ashesi graduates.

This year, a team of four MBA consultants is conducting a market research study that will gauge student perceptions of higher education options in Ghana. A similar study was conducted in 2000, before Ashesi University was established. This year's results will give us an indication of how perceptions of various universities have or have not shifted as college-bound students face greater options in Ghana.

The Clausen Center for International Business and Policy is the home for international activities at UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

Volunteer profile: Gautam P. Venkatesan
May 2004
Gautam Venkatesan contacted Ashesi looking for ways he could help after reading an article about Patrick Awuah in the Seattle Times. Gautam has been one of our longest-standing volunteers and has helped us complete a wide variety of projects. Gautam graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy high school and Stanford University with an undergraduate degree in Economics. He currently is working in Sales at Hewlett Packard in Colorado and stays in touch via email.

In his own words:
"I believe that the creation of a strong university system in Africa is of the highest priorities in the struggle for development. Universities incubate ideas as well as leaders. Both are indispensable in promoting the advancement of a country and a continent. I was drawn to a volunteering opportunity at Ashesi in the hope of making my contribution to helping Ashesi and Africa meet its promise.

In the volunteering assignments I was given, I had the opportunity to learn in greater detail about the corporations, nonprofit organizations and public institutions that have the greatest influence on Ghana. The research that I have been involved in and colleagues I have worked with have provided me an invaluable experience. Volunteering at Ashesi has empowered me to see into the country and school in ways that one would be unable otherwise. The purpose, service and value of Ashesi will indelibly leave its print on Ghana and Africa. Volunteering at Ashesi has allowed me to make contributions towards building the vital and enduring infrastructure that Ashesi is so vibrantly beginning to lead."

Ashesi student organizes basketball tournament
Apr 2004
Charles Hansen-Quao of the Class of 2006 organized a basketball fiesta on April 30, 2004 at the Aviation Social Center in Accra dubbed "Lords of the Rim." This event brought together basketball teams from all over Accra for a showdown. The Ashesi basketball team, 'G-Unit' also competed. The team members; Lionel, Elias, Edem, Ebenezer, Fred (all members of the Class of 2006), Koku, Andrew (Class of 2007) and Nii- Amon, (Class of 2005) took on a team of Liberians from the Bujumbura Refugee Camp. G-Unit was coached by Kwame and Obinaa (Class of 2006). It was great to witness the Ashesi solidarity. Many of us became self-appointed cheer-leaders, cheering them on as best as we knew how! I practically lost my voice! Although they did not win the game, it was a wonderful experience which afforded us an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of friendship among us and meet others. Charles, who is also an Ashesi peer educator, received sponsorship from the Ghana AIDS Commission which enabled him to also use this event as a forum to give out educational material on HIV/AIDS.

Henry Sampson presented Meagasa Award for Excellence in Calculus
Apr 2004
The last day of orientation week for the April Class of 2007 was set aside as a fun day for the freshmen after having had to sit through four days of 'lectures' on everything from Ashesi rules and regulations to HIV AIDS. The agenda that Friday centered on presentations from representatives of the various Ashesi student clubs and a barbeque lunch to which the entire Ashesi community had been invited. The highlight of the lunch was the presentation of the Meagasa Award for Excellence in Calculus; an award instituted by Professor Sitsofe Anku, an Ashesi Math Professor through his Meagasa Education Foundation, to the best student in calculus.

This was the first award of any kind to be instituted in Ashesi and this marked the first time it was being given. Everyone was abuzz with excitement as to who was going to be the recipient; those in the Class of 2006 though seemed to think they had a pretty good idea who it was going to be. The music was turned down and everyone waited to hear Professor Anku call out the name. . . . "and the winner is Henry Sampson - Class of 2006."

Congratulations Henry and thank you Meagasa for blazing this trail; we hope this is just the first of many awards to come.

Ashesi welcomes the Class of 2007 to campus
Apr 2004

Ashesi would like to welcome the incoming Class of 2007 to campus. This year, 258 individuals submitted applications to join the Ashesi student body, the largest number of applicants in a single year to date. From this pool of applicants 52 men and women have matriculated to become the Ashesi Class of 2007. These students have been chosen due to their past academic achievement and leadership potential. Not only is the Class of 2007 Ashesi's largest class it also is composed of the largest percentage of women. With a recruiting goal to balance the gender representation as much as possible, while maintaining high academic standards, this year's incoming class is composed of 44% women. Congratulations to the class of 2007! We are very happy to have you as members of our community.

Ashesi launches new Africana studies curriculum
Apr 2004
This fall Ashesi will offer its first series of courses in Africana studies. The Africana studies program at Ashesi University is designed to help students understand Africa's past and present, and begin to formulate some ideas of how this diverse society might be shaped for future generations. Furthermore, the Africana studies program serves as a platform for collaboration between local and international scholars of Africana. The program features a multi-disciplinary curriculum with courses in African music and dance, archaeology, architecture, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. Africana studies courses may also be of particular interest to study abroad students, who will be enrolling at Ashesi for the first time in August 2004. For detailed Africana studies course descriptions please click here.

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