On Monday, April 27, 2026, representatives from Pan-Atlantic University visited Ashesi University to further conversations around a cultural entrepreneurship exchange programme designed to connect students across African universities through experiential learning, creativity, and leadership development.
The visit followed an earlier engagement in Nigeria, where an Ashesi delegation led by Dr Millicent Adjei and Mrs Rosemary Kotei-Buckman from the university’s office of International Programs and Campus Cohesion visited Pan-Atlantic University to explore opportunities for collaboration. During that trip, the Ashesi team engaged with key stakeholders and institutions within Nigeria’s creative economy, including the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Lagos Business School, the Enterprise Development Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and Black Box Film Production Company.
The return visit to Ashesi marked another important step in what both institutions envision as a long-term partnership rooted in African collaboration and student mobility.
Mrs. Ndidi Oranye, Director of Academic Programmes Marketing and Exchange Programme and Mastercard Foundation at Pan-Atlantic University, noted that the initiative is rooted in a shared educational philosophy between both institutions and a belief in the value of African collaboration. Reflecting on the Ashesi delegation’s earlier visit to Nigeria, she observed that both universities demonstrated strong similarities in their approach to leadership, ethics, and experiential learning. She added that the exchange programme is intended not only to expose students to new cultural and creative environments, but also to help them build meaningful relationships and develop a deeper appreciation for Africa’s diverse opportunities and industries.
Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Millicent Adjei, Director of International Programs and Campus Cohesion at Ashesi University, explained that the partnership emerged from a deliberate effort to strengthen intra-African exchange opportunities for students.
“For the past year, we have been very intentional about identifying strategic African partners,” she noted. “Pan-Atlantic University naturally stood out because of the similarities in values, vision, and educational philosophy.”
The proposed programme moves beyond the traditional understanding of exchange programmes centred solely on classroom instruction. Instead, the initiative seeks to immerse students in Africa’s growing creative industries through a three-week cultural entrepreneurship experience focused on film, music, and fashion.
Representatives from Pan-Atlantic University explained that the programme is intentionally designed to expose students to leadership, entrepreneurship, identity, and innovation through creative practice. Students will engage directly with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, filmmakers, musicians, designers, and business experts while working collaboratively on practical projects.
Mrs. Mary Nwabuisi-Osagie, Associate Manager for Academic Programmes Marketing and Exchange Programmes at Pan-Atlantic University, described the initiative as an effort to help students better understand themselves as Africans while equipping them to contribute meaningfully to society.
“We want students to understand who they are, what they can do, and how they can use their experiences to give back to Africa,” she explained. “The end goal is not simply to produce filmmakers or fashion designers, but to develop young leaders and entrepreneurs who understand how creativity can transform communities.”
The programme is expected to combine academic learning with hands-on experiences. Students will participate in sessions with industry experts, collaborate on creative productions, and develop entrepreneurial projects that may eventually receive grant funding and further incubation support.
Faculty and staff from Ashesi welcomed the concept, noting strong alignment between the proposed exchange and the university’s own emphasis on experiential learning, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Jessica Boifio, Associate Director at Ashesi’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, highlighted similarities between the proposal and existing student innovation initiatives at Ashesi, particularly those that encourage students to work on real-world projects and engage directly with organizations and communities.
The initiative is also envisioned as a multi-university exchange involving several institutions across Ghana, including Palm University College, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast Technical University, and Ashesi University. The programme will bring together students from different institutions to create opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration, peer learning, and regional networking, while helping students build relationships across West Africa’s higher education ecosystem.
Rather than positioning international exchange as something accessible only through Europe or North America, the partnership reflects a growing commitment to strengthening educational ties within Africa itself.
The discussions also highlighted the important convening role played by the The Education Collaborative, an Ashesi University-led initiative that has helped facilitate conversations and partnerships among African universities focused on innovation, leadership, and employability.
Representatives from the Collaborative present at the meeting emphasized the importance of telling stories that demonstrate how African institutions are working together to solve shared challenges and create opportunities for students across the continent.
The proposed programme reflects a growing emphasis across African higher education on collaboration, regional partnerships, and the development of globally minded graduates who remain connected to the continent’s future and priorities.
