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News from 2007
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Ashesi Writing Centre started
to support student writing
December,
2007
 The
Ashesi Writing Centre (A.W.C), is a new initiative to improve
writing and communication skills of Ashesi students. Directed by
Prof. Molara Yetunde Ogundipe the Writing Centre is located in
the TALIF Computer Laboratory and provides members of the Ashesi
community with one-on-one assistance with their writing. Tutors
include employees of the university as well as 3rd
and 4th year students who have excelled in Ashesi’s
writing-intensive courses. Assistance may take the form of
anything from brainstorming to basic editing.
Alison Cohen, a tutor at the A.W.C. who graduated from Harvard
University in the United States with a degree in Sociology, says
she learned about Ashesi when a friend transferred to the
school. After she learned about the Writing Centre she
decided to apply for a job as a writing tutor and was hired.
Alison has always been inspired by Ghanaian development as
defined by Ghanaians themselves and relishes the opportunity to
participate in a high impact project like Ashesi. “My skill set
is an excellent match for what I do here at Ashesi and I find it
a very welcoming place,” she adds.
Another Writing Centre tutor, Eli Tetteh, a graduate of
Vanderbilt University in the United States with a major in
English Creative Writing, says he loves what he does at the
A.W.C. “I wish students would come in earlier and more often,”
he says.
So far patronage of the Writing Centre has been high and
students are enjoying the added support for their writing
assignments. A sign-up system has been instituted so students
can reserve time with tutors in advance. Afua Biney, Class of
2011 states, “The Writing Centre helps us think through the
entire process of writing, from developing ideas to correcting
grammar. You can come to the Writing Centre with nothing and
come away with good start to your project.”
US Embassy staff raise funds for
Ashesi Scholarship Fund
December,
2007
 On
Saturday, December 1, 2007, Ashesi University students and staff
came together with employees of the American Embassy and the
Canadian High Commission, Ghana, to raise scholarship funds to
support student tuition. This new initiative, a benefit walk/run
dubbed “Dollars for Scholars,” was organized by Luis Mendez, a
member of the consular staff at the American Embassy. According
to Mendez he learned about Ashesi University through students he
interviewed at the embassy. “During my time here in Ghana I have
interviewed over 12,000 people and Ashesi students really stood
out. I was particularly struck by their ability to think
critically and went to visit the school” he said. “I was
impressed by what I saw and heard so I decided to help raise
funds for the university by getting my friends involved.”
It was a fun day for all who attended the event. Participants
had the option of walking 5km or running 10km. Among these
runners/walkers were the President of Ashesi University, Dr.
Patrick Awuah and the Canadian High Commissioner to Ghana, Mr.
David Stockwell. Participants had the opportunity to make new
friends as they shared their experiences about Ghana, Ashesi,
and life in general. One participant remarked, “this sure has
been a great way to spend a Saturday morning! I feel like I’m
contributing to something to help others.” Mr. Luis Mendez and
his family graciously served participants breakfast.
The event helped raised approximately GHC1,000 ($1,000) for the university’s
scholarship fund. Currently, close to 50% of Ashesi students
receive financial aid or scholarships from the university.
Students are selected based on need, academic merit and
leadership potential.
Click
here to see more pictures from the event on Ashesi's Flickr site.
Dean of UC Berkeley business
school teaches at Ashesi
November,
2007
 From
the 19th through the 23rd of November,
2007, Ashesi University played host for the second time to Bank
of America Dean of the Haas School of Business, Tom Campbell.
Dean Campbell taught “Industrial Organization” to a class of
twenty-five, at Ashesi. Industrial Organization is a branch of
economics that deals with how companies compete with each other.
This week-long class consisted of current students of the
university, alumni and some faculty members.
Dean Campbell taught the fundamental economic premises of
industrial organization and regulated industries while making
reference to national and international legal rules governing
cartels and monopolies. In this fun and interactive class, the
professor employed examples from the United States whiles his
students shared Ghanaian examples. At the end of the one-week
course, Dean Campbell remarked “The class was exceptionally
bright and shared lots of world experience that allowed us to
apply theory to life.”
The first course Dean Campbell taught at Ashesi was
"Constitutional Law" in February 2003.
Networking event for
alumni and senior class
November,
2007
 On
Saturday 10th, November, the Ashesi Career Services and the
office of the Dean of Student Affairs organized a professional
networking event for the graduating classes of 2007 and 2008.
The event which was dubbed “Keeping Afloat in the Corporate
World” was primarily to help the graduating class gain insights
into professional life, and to develop some of the right
approaches and mindsets necessary to confront the challenges of
the working world.
 The
event was held at Alisa Hotel (North Ridge) and started with a
key note message from Mrs. Adzo Ashie, Dean of Students &
Community Affairs. Then came the highlight of the event—group
activity in which groups of facilitators, alumni, students and
faculty discussed scenarios involving challenging situations in
the work place and brainstormed practical solutions to these
problems. Each group then presented their case studies and
proposed solutions to the entire audience.
 The
event ended with a cocktail, which gave participants another
avenue to interact and network. The alumni were happy to meet
their old friends and to share their experiences with the
graduating class. Facilitators—a mix of faculty and business
professionals commended Ashesi for such a brilliant initiative.
Dr. Patrick Awuah, the
President of Ashesi gave his closing remarks, expressed his
delight at joining the senior class and the alumni in the spirit
of the Ashesi family. He promised a separate meeting with the alumni
in January 2008 to bring them up to date with the state of the
university.
Ashesi hosts career fair
October,
2007
The Career
Services Centre of Ashesi University organized its second annual
Career Fair on Saturday 22nd September 2007. The fair
brought together 18 companies from 12 industries, a 67% increase
over last year’s. The high patronage from these companies is an
indication of the recognition Ashesi students’ have gained for
their top-notch performance in the corporate world.
 To
Career Services, the fair is one of several programmes designed
to prepare students for their professional life and help them
learn to market their skills and accomplishments. To ensure the
event was a success, the career centre organized CV clinics and
information sessions on interviewing prior to the fair. Some
students participated in mock interviews as well.
This year’s
fair saw many new companies participate such as United Bank for
Africa (UBA), Tigo, Metropolitan Insurance Company, MTN,
Explainer DC, Softribe, Multi Media Consult (operators of Joy
and Adom FM), IRS, IKANDO, Habitat for Humanity, General Law
Consult, Coca Cola, Maersk Line, MediaBloc and Land Tours & Avis
aptly accompanied by their Marketing Manager and Alumni of
Ashesi—Ms. Ada N. Ojukwu.
Also several of
Ashesi’s home-grown entrepreneurs were on hand to share their
achievements and challenges with students. Alumni founded
businesses included Dream Oval, an I.T. company, M.I.G. a
clothing and technology firm and I-Wallet—also an IT firm.
“I was most
impressed by the fact that I talked to people who actually
function in their company and were open to share their knowledge
with me”—recounted a freshman.
Nine companies
made brief presentations highlighting qualities and skills
employers look for in new hires and how our students can start a
career with them. Students were enthused with most presentations
and asked thought-provoking questions. Commenting on his
interaction with students Mr. Thomas Hess—CEO of Explainner DC
unmistakably said “your students are bright!”
The career
fair was a good experience for both students and companies. Some
students landed on-the-spot interviews while others were invited
for future offers. Most companies expressed their willingness to
return for another event. Everyone left satisfied and
appreciative. For the Recruitment Manager of TIGO the event was
“educative and an eye opener. The students are … intelligent
thus trainable”.
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