UGBS Hosts President of Galilee International Management Institute to Explore Academic Partnership
The University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) hosted Dr. Joseph Shevel, President of Galilee International Management Institute in Israel, on 10th July 2026, for discussions on potential academic collaboration aimed at supporting higher education in Ghana through voluntary teaching, mentorship, and online graduate education. Dr. Shevel was received on behalf of the Dean by Prof. Albert Ahenkan, Head of the Department of Public Administration. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Matilda Adam, Dr. Baah Aye Kusi, and Mr. Emmanuel Poku-Sarkodee, School Administrator.
During the meeting, Dr. Shevel explained that many faculty members at the Galilee Institute are alumni of the University of Ghana and some are approaching retirement. He noted that although they are retiring from active service, they still possess valuable knowledge and expertise they are willing to share through voluntary teaching in Ghana, particularly at UGBS. He stated that his visit was to understand the University's requirements for engaging retired academics as volunteer lecturers and to explore how such an initiative could be implemented. According to him, the Institute is also developing a programme in history and has several colleagues with links to UGBS who are interested in contributing to academic development.
Dr. Shevel further indicated that many Ghanaian students pursue his Institute’s doctoral studies, including programmes in public administration, and proposed the engagement of UGBS faculty members as mentors for fully online PhD programmes. He emphasised that having Ghanaian mentors guide Ghanaian doctoral students would provide valuable local context and enhance the learning experience. To facilitate broader collaboration, he proposed convening a meeting with the deans of the various schools at the University of Ghana to discuss areas of interest and determine how the proposed partnership could be structured. He noted that he would subsequently engage his colleagues at the Galilee Institute based on the outcome of those discussions
Welcoming the proposal, Prof. Albert Ahenkan highlighted UGBS' commitment to internationalisation and strengthening global academic partnerships. He observed that funding often presents a challenge in such collaborations and described the voluntary nature of the proposed initiative as a significant advantage. Prof. Ahenkan indicated that the University would review the proposals to determine the areas where the expertise of the visiting academics would be most beneficial. He also suggested that, beyond teaching, the retired academics could mentor early-career faculty members and PhD students. He further sought clarification on the academic disciplines that would be covered under the initiative.
Dr. Matilda Adam described the proposal as a laudable initiative and welcomed the opportunity for collaboration. She sought clarification on accommodation arrangements for the visiting academics and enquired about the number of faculty members expected to participate in the programme. Dr. Baah Aye Kusi proposed that the collaboration should be reciprocal, allowing UGBS faculty members and students to visit the Galilee Institute for academic exchange, learning, and joint engagement. Mr. Emmanuel Poku-Sarkodee informed the delegation that UGBS would soon have accommodation facilities to support such exchange programmes, with the school’s new building nearing completion. He encouraged Dr. Shevel to prepare a formal proposal to guide discussions towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The meeting concluded with both parties expressing optimism about the prospects of developing a mutually beneficial partnership that would strengthen academic exchange, faculty mentorship, and graduate education between UGBS and the Galilee Institute.