Institute Of Global Health Hosts 7 Students At Florida’s A&M University

Institute of Global Health (IGH), a Florida-USA based non-governmental organization has partnered with Regentropfen College of Applied Sciences (ReCAS) in Kansoe, Namoo, in the Bongo District of Upper East to educate seven students at Florida A & M University (FAMU), the USA for a 16 months training in computer science exchange program.

The initiative which has been described as an ambitious agenda for deepening bilateral relations between the two universities is targeted at allowing the students to acquaint themselves with current trends in computer and information science in promoting global health care systems in Ghana.

The program which forms part of a United States-based non-governmental Organization-- Institute of Global Health (IGH) project, targeted at developing young talents to become global champions, seek to build a comprehensive computer application to be used by the Ghanaian hospitals in solving the broad-based challenges in the health care sector.

Upon the group’s arrival, a Ghanaian Faculty Advisor of Student Associations of Global Health at FAMU, Dr. Yussif Mijirah Dokurugu explained that the exchange program will create an opportunity for the students to explore and learn new health care methods and practices.

Dr. Dokurugu who is also the President/CEO of ReCAS Global- USA, said: “I entreat all students on the exchange program to endeavor to acquire new skills whilst in the United State and that it will be an opportunity to help impact the health system with the new trends in health practices and also to make a change in the lives of people and the entire society.”

Dr. Dokurugu - who is also an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, advised that “It is always good to travel and acquire new training, and apply again when the need arises.”

Explaining about the initiative, he confirmed that it is an ambitious agenda being explored by the two Universities: “One that the college is tackling through an academic and cultural exchange to broaden the horizons of the next generation of students”.

He added: “Overseas study adventures provide students with distinct benefits, as they develop responsibility, initiative and accountability.

“I want them to learn as much as possible to be able to contribute positively to the Ghanaian economy especially in the information science within the health care delivery of every single person they may come across in their future practices back at home.”

During the welcoming session at the Tallahassee, Florida Campus, Professor Idongesit Mkpong-Ruffin, Chair, Associate Professor at the Department of Computer and Information Sciences, FAMU, said the program has been designed to give the students first-hand experience in modern computer applications focusing on solving global health challenges. It will also provide them with a springboard to be change agents when they return to Ghana.

“The program will position participating students to be fully equipped for employment in their selected studies, governmental and non-governmental agencies where knowledge of international systems is pertinent to jobs, even in the USA,” she remarked.

She indicated that the engagement during their stay will explore various areas of collaboration, including partnerships with other celebrated computer programmers and health experts in the United States of America.

On behalf of the students, Mr. Haruna Mohammed expressed profound gratitude to the authorities of the two schools for the initiative.

He explained that the one year-four months program will focus on disease epidemics, modern pharmaceutical practices, and cultural exchanges and environmental issues, and will be aimed at improving the knowledge capacity of the students about health systems to enable them to give back to their country upon successful completion of the program.

“At the end of the program, we want to use technology Ghanaian health care sector through mobile application. At least we should have one centralized database for all the hospitals in the country,” he said. “At the end of the program, we hope to be able to use knowledge in computer science and information technology to solve social problems within the Ghanaian society as well as within the West African Sub-Region. The possibilities here are myriad.

President of ReCAS, Rev. Dr. Moses Asaah Awinongya SVD, the collaboration with FAMU is to enable the students to bring different ways of looking at things and solving problems. A blend of that nature, helps a young institution like ReCAS to grow fast whilst making the adjustments for changes.

He encourages many more candidates to apply to ReCAS and enjoy this and many other opportunities available in the Institution.