What is University of Utah West Africa?

Did you know that the University of Utah has a hub in West Africa? University of Utah West Africa offers unique learning, research, and programming opportunities for students, faculty, and partners, made possible through a partnership with Ensign Global College, a world-class teaching institution located in Kpong, Ghana. This partnership is managed by the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity which also serves as the first point of contact for individuals and organizations seeking to engage with University of Utah West Africa and Ensign Global College.

University of Utah West Africa is vibrant and active. It houses and manages innovative programs like Health 2 Go, that, over the last 6 years, has brought basic healthcare access to approximately 2,400 children under age 5 in rural, remote, and underserved communities in Ghana. Programs like Health2Go create impactful research opportunities for local and international graduate students. University of Utah West Africa hosts a branch of the Center for Global Surgery at Ensign Global College, and its Executive Education program has created opportunities for top University of Utah faculty to travel to Ghana and share training, knowledge, and best practices with professionals. Since student experiences were launched 2019, over 150 students and faculty from diverse fields of study have traveled to Ensign Global College, collaborating hands-on with communities, entrepreneurs, and public health professionals to engage in real-life prosperity work, generating meaningful research and life-changing experiences for students.

2023 brings the launch of two new opportunities through University of Utah West Africa: the Master of Business Creation (MBC) and Master of Health Management (MHM) degrees. These University of Utah degrees will be offered in a hybrid format starting in the 2023 Fall Semester and will be hosted at Ensign Global College.

Why Partner with Ensign Global College?

Ensign Global College offers an ideal setting for student programs, research, and other teaching and academic work. It is an accredited, private, not-for-profit academic institution of higher education, located on a beautiful campus near the scenic Volta River in the Eastern Region of Ghana. It has ample classroom and meeting space, on-campus housing, and an on-campus infirmary. The hospitality staff is experienced in working with international groups, and Ensign Global’s world-class faculty and staff can help coordinate off-campus excursions, research, and other collaborative opportunities with the community.

Professor Don Wardell, University of Utah, David Eccles Faculty Scholar and Francis A. Madsen Scholar comments on his experiences:

Professor Don Wardell, Dr. Millicent Ofori Boateng (Ensign Global College), and Professor Stephen Alder during Professor Wardell’s quality management course January 2022.

“I had the wonderful opportunity to teach a course on quality management to healthcare executives as well as a Six Sigma course to alumni and current Master of Public Health Students at Ensign Global College in Kpong, Ghana in January and February of 2022. We all learned a great deal about applications of quality principles and tools as they apply to the delivery of healthcare in Ghana.

“A principal reason that the experience was successful was because of the staff of the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity as well as of Ensign. From the planning stage, to the travel, to the accommodations, to the in-country excursions, we received VIP treatment. Everyone made sure that our visit to and stay in Ghana were carefree. We loved the opportunity to see some fantastic sites in Ghana (including an elephant preserve), but our fondest memories come from the people that we met and got to know.

“I highly recommend the experience to anyone who is contemplating a visit to Ghana.”

Get involved!

Opportunities for Students

  • Applications are open for Summer and Fall 2023 student experiences in Ghana. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible. Opportunities include Eccles Global study abroad trips and summer internships. Click here for more information or to apply.
  • Information on the MBC and MHM degrees is coming soon.

Opportunities for Faculty and Partners

  • For research opportunities or for faculty, partners, and organizations interested in developing programs, bringing a group to Ensign Global College, or other general inquiries, reach out to the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity at: bhp@utah.edu

To learn more about University of Utah West Africa and Ensign Global College, stay tuned for future articles or visit the Ensign Global College Website.

Further reading