The Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) on October 2, 2025, hosted a delegation from the Russia Centre for Public Diplomacy, the Higher School of Economics (HSE) University, Moscow, and Novosibirsk State University. The meeting was chaired by Professor Kenneth Peprah, Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, at the West African Centre for Rural and Sustainable Transformation, Main Campus, Bamahu, in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
UBIDS Background and Achievements
In his welcome address, Professor Peprah traced the history of SDD-UBIDS from its beginnings as the Wa Campus of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in 2002 to its elevation into a fully-fledged university in 2019. He highlighted the University’s rapid growth, expanding from a single Faculty of Integrated Development Studies to eight faculties and schools. These are Faculty of Planning and Land Management, School of Business, School of Education and Life-Ling Learning, Faculty of Public Policy and Governance, Faculty of Social Science and Arts, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology and the School of Law.
Professor Millicent A. Akaateba, Director of International Collaborations Office, outlined the University’s strides in internationalisation, including student and staff exchange programmes, collaborations with the MasterCard Foundation and E4Impact Foundation, partnerships with Academics Without Borders, Western University, Canada, University of Bonn, Germany, among others. She also noted UBIDS’ growing presence in global rankings, its recent 5th International Research and Development Conference, and the unique role of the French Language Centre in advancing academic and cultural exchanges.
The Russian Delegation
The Russian delegation was led by Professor Leonid Issaev, Deputy Director of the Centre for Stability and Risks Analysis, HSE University. The other members included Dr Natalia Krasovskaya, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Diplomacy, Dr. Anna Ilina, Communication Director, Centre for Public Diplomacy, and Mr. Micah Yinpang D. Zing, Research Fellow at the Centre for Stability and Risks Analysis, HSE University. Professor Leonid expressed the delegation’s keen interest in establishing a Centre for Russian Studies at SDD-UBIDS. He noted that 29 African Universities are already running Russian Language Studies and stressed the importance of UBIDS joining this network.
He further highlighted opportunities for scholarship programmes for staff and students to study in Russia, joint research projects and collaborative publications, academic exchange programmes for students and faculty, and expanded cultural and educational cooperation between Russia universities and SDD-UBIDS. He also announced that a larger delegation from Russian Universities will be visiting Ghana from November 3–8, 2025, during which the collaboration with UBIDS will be a key item on the agenda.
Dr. Natalia Krasovskaya emphasised the need to commence Russian Language courses in UBIDS in the 2025/2026 Academic Year to prepare students for scholarship and exchange opportunities in Russia.
Open Forum Discussions
During the interactive session, Professor Akaateba and other UBIDS representatives proposed long-term strategies to sustain Russian Language programmes, including training UBIDS staff to become certified Russian instructors and developing joint curricula to ensure seamless student exchanges. Cultural exchange programmes were also suggested as a short-term step to boost interest in Russian studies while building capacity for long-term collaborations.
Way Forward
The meeting concluded on a positive note with both parties expressing commitment to formalising the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will cover the following key areas; establishing a Centre for Russian Studies at UBIDS, creating scholarship opportunities for staff and students to study in Russia, launching joint research projects and collaborative publications and developing academic exchange programmes.
This initiative is expected to strengthen UBIDS’ internationalisation drive and provide its students and staff with new global opportunities.
The other UBIDS staff present at the meeting were: Mr. Job Asante, Registrar; Professor Milicent A. Akaateba, Director of International Collaborations Office; Professor Frederick Dayour, Director of Research; Professor Maximillian Kolbe Domapielle, Vice Dean, Faculty of Public Policy and Governance; Mr. Fidelis Z. Tang, Director of University Relations; and Ms. Grace Y. Dassah, Assistant Registrar, Office of the Vice-Chancellor.