Welcoming the Swiss delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor and the university’s management at the Council Chamber of UEW, Mrs. Wilhelmina Tete-Mensah, Acting Registrar, emphasised UEW’s status as Ghana’s sole institution mandated to train teachers at all educational levels. “With a growing student population of over 64,000, we are always seeking partnerships that enrich our academic landscape and extend our impact,” she remarked.

The visit was led by Prof. Rihs Bruno of PH Luzern, whose earlier engagements with UEW’s Faculty of Social Sciences Education (FSSE) laid the groundwork for this budding collaboration. Prof. Anselm Abotsi, Dean of FSSE, noted that the mutual focus on teacher education created a natural foundation for cooperation. “Their interests mirror ours. We see fertile ground for shared growth,” he said.

Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW, underscored the value of strategic partnerships in higher education. “No university can thrive in isolation. Through collaboration, we exchange ideas, foster innovation, and contribute meaningfully to global education,‘’ he said. He stressed that the partnership should go beyond formalities and produce tangible benefits for both institutions.

Prof. Mitchual drew attention to the importance of integrating cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence (AI) into education, not to replace educators but to empower them. “AI can help us teach smarter, assess faster and innovate more. We hope to explore these frontiers together,” he added. He encouraged the faculty to embrace the promise of technology. “When applied well, artificial intelligence will not take our jobs—it will give us time to focus on more meaningful, human-centred work,” he said.

Prof. Bruno, deeply touched by the reception, expressed admiration for Ghana and UEW. “From the moment I arrived in Ghana, I felt at home. We are not here to teach or be taught—we are here to learn from each other,” he said. He emphasised the shared global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and equity in education, calling for collaborative solutions. “We are in the same boat, facing the same storm. Let us navigate it together,” he said, adding that he hopes Swiss students will one day study in Ghana to broaden their worldviews.

Prof. Frimpong Kaakyire Duku, Principal of the College for Distance and e-Learning (CODeL) and Acting Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, reinforced the institution’s dedication to cultural integrity in education. “Even as we expand globally, we carry our culture with us. Your students will learn that education and identity can coexist beautifully,” he shared.

Prof. (Mrs.) Rebecca Apkanglo-Nartey, Principal of the College of Languages Education at UEW, added that beyond social sciences, ��ɫ��Ƶhouses rich academic offerings in Ghanaian languages, media, and foreign languages, all ripe for deeper collaborative ventures.

As both institutions laid the foundation for this collaboration, expectations are high for a robust exchange of students, virtual classrooms, co-authored research and lifelong academic friendships. With hearts aligned and visions shared, ��ɫ��Ƶand PH Luzern have taken the first step in what promises to be a game-changing journey in global teacher education.