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The News from the Network section of IdealistOnCampus.org is a space to highlight the interesting and innovative programs, people and events connected with the Idealist On Campus Community. As a resource for the rest of our constituency, these individuals and organizations who have made a tremendous impact are invited to share how they've turned a concept into reality and continue to work each day to build a better world.

Ashesi: Beginning of a New Era of Higher Learning in Africa
By Aba Ackun

"Ashesi" (aah-share-see) means "beginning" in a Ghanaian language, Akan, and this name embodies the dream of the African visionary who established the Ashesi University Foundation in 1999. Patrick Awuah, a former project manager at the Microsoft Corporation, who sought to empower young minds to change Africa, along with his wife Rebecca and co-founder Nina Marini, left highly paid jobs in Technology and International Business to invest their time, money and lives into creating the first liberal arts university in Ghana, West Africa. The tortuous process of fundraising, acquiring a site for the campus, registration and accreditation within a highly bureaucratic and corrupt government did not deter them. Their efforts were crowned in January 2002 with Ashesi's first class of 31 matriculating students. The foundation is a nonprofit organisation funded by various individuals and corporations such as Goldman, Sachs & Co. and the Microsoft Corporation. The board of Ashesi is made up of prominent Ghanaian and internationally acclaimed professionals with Peter Woicke, former vice chairman of the World Bank, being its most recent addition.

Ashesi University truly is a place of beginnings and opportunities. The students have broken the traditional African bounds of classroom learning and are making strides to solve societal problems. One student initiative has obtained funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ghanaian Ministry of Communications to develop an incubator of the former class project, "the intelligent traffic light" to solve the problem of vehicular congestion in Accra, Ghana. Within the next three years under the close supervision of the UNDP, they will conduct more research, further develop their product, and begin its distribution in major cities of Ghana. If this project is successful, it will create a wealth of employment opportunities within a country where unemployment is a major problem. Another student's chemistry virtual lab was featured in a technology fair organised by the Advanced Information Technology Institute of Ghana. This project aims at bringing science to life and giving the Ghanaian basic education student a glimpse of science beyond the textbook. With these and a wealth of ideas that are being worked on every day, one cannot help but agree with Senyo Akaba, a student, who says, "I now believe Ghana needs me. I can make an impact either by becoming a software developer, business administrator or a politician."

Through its students, Ashesi continues to impact Ghanaian society in many different spheres. The Standard Chartered Bank of Ghana has adopted an Information Technology-based banking product that improves efficiency while reducing the costs of its transactions in Ghana. This was solely the product of third and fourth year students of Ashesi. Ashesi students consistently excel in competition against their counterparts from other institutions. They are chosen over other applicants to study abroad for a semester at the American University of Rome on scholarship. Each year, Ashesi students are chosen to join students from all over the world at the Leadership and Democracy Institute in Accra, Ghana and engage in lectures and seminars with high-profile policymakers from Ghana and beyond. Student initiatives have helped the underprivileged in society. Ashesi students volunteer with a drive that, in the words of senior Charles Hansen-Quao, "demonstrates the depth of compassion and caring we have for those who are less fortunate than we are." With the Making a Difference musical concert organised by students, funds, clothing, and books have been gathered for Ghanaian orphans. The students have also volunteered through the on-campus Junior Achievement Company to help assist orphans with their schoolwork. Ashesi students have collaborated with foreign students in reaching remote areas of Ghana with books through a book drive organised in late 2005. Donations have been made over a series of years through the "Save a Smile" student-run project to children living with disabilities and the homeless of Accra. Students of Ashesi are constantly giving back to society with their time, money and skills.

Africa for so long has waited for places like Ashesi to change the face of African higher education. According to Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Chair, Department of Afro-American Studies and Director, Harvard University, "Ashesi is one of the most interesting things happening on the African continent today." This is made possible though donors, who sponsor students, donate much needed technology equipment and books to help the school to set and maintain high standards. Many of its students are only able to afford such an education which is highly coveted in Africa with the help of scholarships they receive. The exhilaration one experiences in gaining an Ashesi scholarship is captured by Appolonia Kumi:

"My application was approved and I was offered financial aid. My joy knew no bounds. Ashesi University, just during the orientation week, changed my life and way of thinking. I was totally impressed by what I saw. The faculty is excellent and it is one of the most organized, most peaceful and most academically inclined places you could ever wish to be."

All who are part of the Ashesi dream are without a doubt glad to be a part of it. It is truly a promising new beginning.