Education is a powerful force that transcends borders, builds bridges, and shapes the future. On this International Day of Education, CWEIC is pleased to welcome insights from Ivy Heward-Mills, Director at the Centre for International Education and Collaboration at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA).
The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) proudly reflects on its internationalisation journey — a mission to prepare students for a globalised world, promote cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to the shared prosperity of Ghana, Africa, and the entire ecosystem of the Commonwealth. From very humble beginnings at its establishment in 1965, UPSA has grown exponentially as a leading higher education institution in Ghana, especially in the past decade. While actively pursuing an internationalisation agenda, one of the strategic initiatives selected was becoming a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) as well as a Strategic Partner of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC). Guided by its values of Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, and Service, UPSA prioritises global engagement—creating meaningful connections that align with the principles of representation, promotion, amplification, and the internationalisation of higher education.
In this Commonwealth Insights, Ivy explains how UPSA is implementing its internationalisation policy, driving transformative change through collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity, and offering fresh perspectives on what it means to be a truly global African institution in a Commonwealth state.
Representing the Aspirations of a Connected World
At UPSA, the concept of representation goes beyond a beautiful accessible campus, academic rankings, and glossy brochures — it is about embodying and sharing the aspirations of the end-user of its products, the business community of the Commonwealth inclusive. In heeding its motto of Scholarship with Professionalism in equipping students with practical skills and a global mindset, UPSA ensures they are not only ready for the workforce but also for the challenges and opportunities of an interconnected world.
One striking example of this commitment is UPSA’s growing network of international partnerships. Collaborations with institutions in the United Kingdom, Canada, China, North America, the Caribbean, and other Commonwealth member countries open doors for student exchanges, joint research opportunities, and innovative projects and programmes that address global challenges. The steady growth in its international student population and incoming mobilities guarantees a multicultural campus life experience for students and staff alike.
Take the example of UPSA’s dual-degree programmes. By offering students the chance to earn degrees that carry international recognition, the university empowers them to step confidently into global markets. Besides their academic prestige, these programmes create pathways for real-world impact, from entrepreneurial ventures to public service initiatives across the Commonwealth.
Another outstanding feature of education at UPSA is its unique mandate to offer both academic and professional programmes, but it gets more exciting; students who enrol in degree programmes are offered free tuition towards the corresponding professional qualification of their area of study. What that means is, if Kwame, our imaginary friend, enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance programme, Kwame will get free tuition that prepares him for the Institute of Chartered Accountants or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants examination. Kwame therefore graduates with his BSc as well as, a Part 2 ICA or Part 2, ACCA.
Promoting a Vision Through Action
UPSA’s strategic partnership with CWEIC reflects the university’s depth of commitment to advancing global collaboration and contributing to economic growth. As a Strategic Partner, UPSA actively participates in CWEIC initiatives, using platforms like Commonwealth Insights and UPSA’s flagship platforms, such as the Annual Leadership Lecture Series and the International Conference on Business Management and Entrepreneurial Development (ICBMED), to spark meaningful conversations about leadership, education, policy, innovation, and enterprise.
Through these engagements, UPSA demonstrates how universities can be more than academic institutions; they can be hubs of influence and advocacy. For example, UPSA recently hosted its maiden conference, The State and Future of Tertiary Education, themed “Delivering Fit-For-Purpose Education for a Changing World”, to explore how universities can respond to global trends like artificial intelligence, sustainability, and drive politically independent educational policy and adapt educational methodology and delivery to the technological advances of the times and tailored to the needs of industry. These conversations go beyond sharing knowledge to inspire action, align stakeholders, and contribute to promote CWEIC’s vision of an integrated Commonwealth that leverages its strengths for collective prosperity.
UPSA’s strategic direction supports entrepreneurship and SMEs. With initiatives like UPSA tis Enterprise and Innovation Centre that engender impact entrepreneurship and innovation, birthing start-ups and small businesses, the university amplifies CWEIC’s advocacy for trade and investment. The establishment of UPSA’s soon to be inaugurated West African Trade, Innovation and Policy Institute further highlights it. In nurturing young entrepreneurs, UPSA contributes to a ripple effect of economic transformation beyond Ghana, within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and, the Commonwealth.
Amplifying Voices That Matter
One of UPSA’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to celebrate and amplify the voices of its diverse community. Currently, with students from ten countries, the university is a microcosm of the Commonwealth — a vibrant mix of cultures, ideas, and ambitions.
The stories of these students and alumni are inspiring and instructive in equal measure. Take the example of a UPSA graduate who, through an international internship program, developed a sustainable business model that has since gained traction in several African countries. Or consider the international student who led a cross-cultural project addressing rural education in her home country of Cameroon. These are not isolated success stories — they are proof of what can be achieved when diversity is embraced, and opportunities are shared.
But amplifying voices transcends celebrating achievements to creating platforms for dialogue and collaborations that enrich understanding and promote partnerships, and showing the Commonwealth what can be accomplished when we listen to and learn from one another