Over 600 Ghanaian students are in luck as the Jospong Group of Companies is providing scholarship packages for them to study at the RUDN University in Russia.
The scholarships, which will span the next five years, will focus on Agriculture, Information Technology, Integrated Waste Management, and Climate Change studies, offering 120 scholarships to Ghanaian students each year from 2024 to 2029.
This landmark initiative was solidified with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Jospong Group’s subsidiary, Asian, African Consortium (AAC), and the RUDN University in Accra on Friday, February 2. The Speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, and the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Sergei Berdnikov, were present to witness the momentous occasion.
Applauding the Jospong Group for pioneering the initiative, the Speaker of Parliament expressed hope for the future of Ghana. He emphasized the longstanding friendship between Russia and Ghana and commended them for elevating their relationship from government level to the private sector.
The Executive Chairman of Jospong Group, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, assured stakeholders of his company’s commitment to providing opportunities for the students upon completion of their education. “Gone are days when you finish your education and you stay behind because of lack of opportunities back home but I want to assure you that Jospong is ready to work with you so come and let’s develop Ghana together,” he stated.
The CEO of the Asian African Consortium, Adelaide Siaw Agyepong, described the collaboration as a unique opportunity to enhance climate change and agriculture in the country. She highlighted the significant benefits that the knowledge and skills will bring to Ghana and expressed the hope that the initiative will provide opportunities for talented individuals who may have faced challenges in accessing quality education outside of Ghana.
The Education Minister, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, lauded Dr. Adjepong for the novel partnership, noting that it is unique for a private actor to lead such a significant education scholarship initiative. “The better days of our nation are ahead of us, and Jospong is showing us that the private sector is more than capable of changing the narrative,” he noted.
Representatives of RUDN University, including Dr. Masamba Kakh and the Russian Ambassador to Ghana, Serga Berdnikov, also expressed their commitment to supporting the scholarship program and facilitating the students’ travel to Russia for studies.
This initiative, achieved in collaboration with the National Service Secretariat, Ghana Scholarship Secretariat (Office of the President), University of Ghana, Pentecost University, University of Development Studies, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and other partners, includes competitive Olympiad exams in Integrated Waste Management and Climate Change.
The partnership marks a significant step in enhancing educational opportunities for Ghanaian youth, with the aim of creating lasting impacts in agriculture, information technology, integrated waste management, and climate change studies. The Jospong Group has engaged key institutions such as the National Service Secretariat, the Scholarship Secretariat, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and Pentecost University in steering this scholarship initiative.
Representing RUDN University was a seven-member delegation, led by Prof. Sergey Elansky, a renowned expert in Agrobiotech Technology and a consultant for major agricultural holdings in Russia. Additionally, over 500 National Service Personnel engaged in the agricultural sector were present to witness this historic event, further emphasizing the significance of this collaboration.
