Successful Africa trip creates new partnerships for University of Bradford

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Brian Cantor, led a delegation of academics and professional staff to Accra, Abuja and Lagos where he sought to bring together the expertise of other Vice-Chancellors who share interests in internationalising their universities.

The delegation met with government officials, alumni of the University of Bradford and potential students, as the University seeks to boost student recruitment from the region.

During the visit, Professor Cantor delivered keynote lectures on ‘the impact of universities on economies’. Professor Udy Archibong with the support of Cecilia Anim delivered a workshop on Dementia and Stigma. This was attended by 118 nurses and was sponsored by the Ghana Registered Nurses and Midwives Association [GRNMA].

Professor Uduak Archibong, Professor of Diversity and Strategic Advisor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Bradford, said: “Bradford is proud of its long-standing engagement with Africa, exemplified in our student body, partnerships and collaborations. This trip was a great success and has enabled us to reinforce the strong relationships we already have as well as create exciting new ones.”

Mark Garratt, Director of External Affairs said “This was without doubt the most successful Vice-Chancellor delegation that we have run in my five years at the University. Having Professor Udy Archibong, who is a native of Nigeria, leading the delegation planning and delivery was invaluable and really demonstrated the power of having someone with knowledge of how to ensure the trip was incredibly high profile and a huge success.

“Combining meetings with senior government officials and senior officials from Ghanaian and Nigerian Universities, along with reconnecting with our amazing and successful alumni, whilst getting them to engage with prospective new students was incredibly powerful. The media profile we received was out of this world"

The University engaged with more than 200 alumni in Ghana and Nigeria as a whole with many attending networking receptions hosted by the delegation in Accra, Abuja and Lagos respectively.

The University has an impressive alumni network across West Africa with many Bradford graduates working at very senior levels in Government authorities, education institutions and in the private sector.

The trip took place between April 15-21 and involved several successful stakeholder events, important meetings with several dignitaries and recruitment and alumni events.