By Philip Tengzu, GNA
Wa, (UW/R), March 04, GNA – The University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS) has hosted in Wa, a three-day International Field School on Conflict Management and Transformation Studies in Africa under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education Project.
Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) projects are international, multilateral partnerships fostering cooperation between EU member states and partner countries to modernize, develop, and sustain higher education institutions.
These projects aim to enhance skills, improve curricula, and align education with labour market needs, fostering regional and international cooperation
The Field School, held under the project title “Strengthening Conflict Management and Transformation Studies in Africa (CONMAT), brought together 40 academics and students from partner institutions across Africa and Europe.
The partner institutions included the University of Rwanda, the Protestant University of Rwanda, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of Applied Sciences, Vienna, and the University of Ghana.
A statement issued in Wa and signed by Dr. Fidelis Z. Tang, the Director of University Relations at UBIDS, said, “The initiative reinforces UBIDS’ strategic internationalisation agenda and its strategic commitment to advancing peacebuilding research and education in Africa and beyond.”
The statement indicated that the Field School was structured to provide both theoretical and practical engagement for Higher Education Institution (HEI) staff and students, with academic sessions organised in two thematic clusters for maximum impact.
One session focused on teaching and research methodologies in conflict studies, covering the methodology of teaching conflict studies, and the other session centred on applied conflict resolution and peacebuilding practice, encompassing conflict resolution and peacebuilding methodologies.
As part of the experiential learning component, the participants undertook field engagements, where they interacted with the Upper West Regional Peace Council and the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs to gain practical insights into institutional and traditional mechanisms for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
They also visited the Wa Naa’s Palace to deepen their understanding of customary governance structures and indigenous peacebuilding practices outside the formal court system.
According to the statement, the Field School demonstrated UBIDS’ commitment to international academic cooperation, capacity building and the integration of theory with practice.
It added that the initiative had consolidated the University’s position as a hub for development-oriented academic work and reinforced its vision of becoming a world-class institution driving sustainable development through innovative teaching, research and community engagement.
The statement said Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, the Vice-Chancellor of UBIDS, reaffirmed “the University’s dedication to transformative education, impactful research, and strategic global partnerships that contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.”
Professor Dr Johannes Maerk of the University of Applied Sciences, Vienna, the Project Consortium Lead, highlighted the importance of North-South academic collaboration in strengthening institutional capacities and fostering innovative approaches to conflict management and transformation studies.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah
