Bradford College

International Education Programme Supported by Prime Minister’s Initiative

Desma Brown, Masters Course Leader at Bradford College, jetted over to Valley View University Campus in Ghana, Africa earlier this year, accompanied by Bradford College Tutors David Grundy and Richard Layden as part of a cultural exchange programme.

The innovative exchange programme is supported by the Prime Minister’s initiative for International Education, encouraging new learning opportunities for learners from both institutions. 

Elaborating further on the inspiring new partnership, Desma Brown, Masters Course Leader said: “My colleague David Grundy and I were involved in delivering Masters’ sessions in relation to teaching, leadership and management skills for Ghanaian educators.  Whilst learning Environments Manager Richard Layden was concerned with the development of distance learning applications including virtual learning environments.”

Desma Brown, Masters Course Leader continued: “The teaching took place within Valley View University campus, where university staff and head-teachers from surrounding schools accessed the programme.” Desma Brown reflected: “Our experiences during the week were very positive.  We developed a fond regard for our hosts and the school staff we were working with.”

The cultural exchange programme, which sees the two institutions share good practise goes from strength to strength with Deans from Valley View University, Dr Daniel Ganu and Abraham Okrah visiting Bradford College earlier in March  to discussion future collaborations. Desma Brown said: “During the visit the Deans experienced a taste of College classes at McMillan and had discussions with key members of staff about teacher education, quality assurance and CPD. This was followed by a lively and interesting presentation to staff about the Ghanaian education system.” 

Desma Brown continued: “The programme was extremely successful and the university are keen to continue the relationship with Bradford College through the Masters Programme in Education.”

Desma Brown concluded: “This was a very valuable learning experience for us and it was a privilege to be able to exchange knowledge and expertise with a university in a completely different context.”

Reflecting on the success of the programme Daniel Ganu, Dean from Valley View University said: “The project has enabled us to build friendships and contacts.  We also gained some knowledge, skills, expertise and confidence in the educational understanding of the United Kingdom.”

Abraham Okrah, Dean from Valley View University smiled warmly and added: “We also benefited from the project in that it exposed us to the culture of the United Kingdom, its educational and social relations.”