Whatever you can do or
dream you can, begin it.
Ashesi was founded in 2002 with an ambitious goal - an African renaissance driven
by a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial, and innovative leaders.
Today, Ashesi is recognized as one of the ﬁnest educational institutions in Africa.
Our graduates launch enterprises; develop new technologies; and work to
strengthen Africa’s civic sector. They are sought after in Corporate Africa and gain
post-graduate placements in some of the world’s top universities.
But as our name –Ashesi– implies, every day is an opportunity for a new beginning
at this institution. I am pleased to announce a new initiative at Ashesi: a modern
engineering programme that will educate a new generation of engineers who will
build the infrastructure and affordable products that our continent needs.
In September 2014, at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City, I made a
commitment to achieve gender balance in Ashesi’s new engineering programme.
At Ashesi, African women –in equal numbers to men– will guide the engineering
solutions to Africa’s challenges. This is a responsibility that we don’t take lightly.
We’ve worked hard to recruit and nurture women, and are proud to have gender
parity in our current student community. Now is the time for Ashesi to lead the way
with our engineering programme as well.
To meet this ambitious commitment, we have designed a curriculum that
intentionally includes the perspectives of women. Through summer on-campus
programmes, we are inspiring girls in African high schools to pursue careers in
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A Message from Our President
About Ashesi
The Ashesi Education
Learning Goals
Our Majors
Leadership Training
Our Curriculum
Our Classes
Voices of our Professors
The Ashesi Experience
Student Opportunities
Diversity at Ashesi
Graduate Success Record
Alumni Story: Regina Agyare ‘05
Alumni Story: Maame Cudjoe ’05
Alumni Story: Fred Deegbe ‘06
Apply to Ashesi
computer science and engineering. We are funding scholarships for women and
providing the mentorship and counseling necessary to help them succeed in
higher education and in the working world.
Our next step is to launch the engineering programme, and welcome our ﬁrst
engineering students, in September 2015.
I hope you will consider joining us and being part of starting this exciting new
chapter at Ashesi.
Patrick G. Awuah Jr.,
Founder and President.
Page 1
You WIll love this place...
Ashesi is a private, non-proﬁt liberal arts university located in Ghana, West Africa. Our
mission is to educate a new generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in
Africa; to cultivate within our students the critical thinking skills, the concern for
others and the courage it will take to transform their continent.
The university offers four-year bachelors’ programme grounded in a liberal core
curriculum, featuring degrees in Business Administration, Management Information
Systems, Computer Science and Engineering. With an academic programme designed
in collaboration with some of the world’s best universities, and in partnership with
local and multinational employers across Ghana, Ashesi has pioneered an
educational experience like no other in Africa. You will love this place.
You MUST see it
to believe it
Set on a 100 stunning acres overlooking Ghana’s capital city Accra, Ashesi’s campus is like no
other. We have united traditional African design, modern technology and environmental best
practices to create an inspiring base for young Africans to live, collaborate and study.
To provide enhanced living experiences for students, Ashesi has residence halls that currently
house some 50% of our student body – with plans to keep expanding on-campus housing.
In addition, third party providers offer excellent accommodation just a few minutes’ walk
from campus.
Our liberal education
expands minds
Ashesi’s core curriculum consists of courses that help students develop
the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for a lifetime
career of leadership. By teaching students to explore the connections
between different information, separate the relevant from the irrelevant,
question assumptions and analyse alternatives, the liberal core serves
as a foundation for success and inﬂuencing the world.
Not Just a Degree, But
Skills for a Lifetime
In 2010, our community - faculty, staff, students and alumni - came together to identify seven key
learning outcomes that every Ashesi graduate must achieve based on the university’s values.
These learning goals guide our curriculum and co-curricular programmes, and prepare students
for rewarding lives and careers.
1. Ethics & Civic Engagement
Ashesi graduates are ethical, responsible
and engaged members of their
community; they demonstrate concern
for others, and do the right thing even
when no one is looking.
2. Technological Competence
An Ashesi student is an effective and
ﬂexible user of technology, and is always
exploring new technology.
3. Critical Thinking & Quantitative Reasoning
Ashesi graduates are able to break down
complex problems and analyse solutions to
them; they demonstrate skill in data
analysis, can approach problems from
multiple perspectives and have awareness
of a broad range of concepts and ideas that
have personal, local and global signiﬁcance.
4. Leadership & Teamwork
Ashesi graduates are adept at leading and
functioning in teams, demonstrate
conﬁdence and humility, have good
interpersonal skills, are organized and able
to plan and execute on complex projects.
5. Curiosity & Skill
An Ashesi graduate is inquisitive, probes
deeply and continuously seeks mastery in
a chosen ﬁeld and keeps an open mind,
never acting as if he/she knows it all.
6. Communication
Ashesi graduates are excellent
communicators in a variety of forms.
7. Innovation & Action
An Ashesi student takes intellectual risks
and demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit.
Page 9
Business Administration
Ashesi’s business programme depends on the foundation
set by the core liberal curriculum (see page 12), and prepares
students to be leaders who can recognise opportunities in
the needs of society and build businesses to help solve
them. The business programme takes students through
global business practices, with a focus on Africa’s dynamic
economy. Class projects are done in partnership with local
businesses in order to help students learn practical skills
through solving real-world problems.
Management
Information Systems
The Management Information Systems programme at
Ashesi empowers students to improve business efﬁciency
by effectively leveraging the connections between
Information Technology and the functions of business and
organizational strategy. This interdisciplinary programme
trains students to be managers who are uniquely prepared
to lead businesses in the new knowledge economy.
Computer Science
Ashesi’s Computer Science programme focuses not only on
software design and programming, but also on empowering
young people to be at the forefront of African growth by
harnessing the power of technology. Students in the
Computer Science programme are taken through robust
foundational courses that prepare them to engage new
technologies, and create software tools for African needs.
WE EMPHASISE
LEADERship in all we do
Through a series of interactive seminars and service learning activities, Ashesi helps
students gain valuable leadership skills, develop an awareness of the challenges and
needs in the societies around them, and learn strategies for effectively collaborating
with communities for change.
Leadership Seminar Series
The Leadership Seminar series promotes self-awareness, the exploration of different
cultural notions of leadership and the work of contemporary leaders. It draws upon
experts in different ﬁelds of business, social and academic leadership across Africa,
and students must complete the full series of four seminars before graduation.
Giving Voice to Values
Giving Voice to Values seminars help students build awareness of a key component
of leadership: speaking up for one’s values. The classes, co-taught by Ashesi alumni,
explore effective strategies for addressing situations of values conﬂict in business
and social environments. Through a series of role playing activities, with real-world
examples from alumni, students practice voicing their values to prepare them to
effectively manage real situations outside the seminars.
Community Service
All our students are required to engage in community service, a process that helps
them develop a sense of good citizenship and concern for others. In particular, our
service learning approach helps students see ﬁrst-hand how their work can
inﬂuence lives and communities. Several Ashesi graduates have gone on to work
with impactful non-proﬁts because of their volunteer experience as students.
The Ashesi Honour Code
In keeping with our values of ethics and leadership, the university community agreed to
adopt an Honour Code that is completely owned by students. Under the Exam Honour
Code, students take all their examinations without invigilators, taking on the
responsibility to maintain honesty in exams.
The code, voted into force by students in 2008, is a ﬁrst step towards the high-trust
community that we look to build, and puts students in charge of their own ethical posture.
Engineering *
Africa needs better-designed infrastructure and new,
efﬁcient products tailored for local needs. Ashesi’s
Engineering majors – Mechanical, Electrical and Computer
Engineering - with a focus on design, entrepreneurship and
problem solving, aims to empower students to drive the
important innovations that Africa needs. The
industry-responsive curriculum adapts from the models of
some of the world’s best engineering schools to foster
systems thinking, real-world learning and design.
* Starting in September 2015, pending NAB approval.
Page 10
Page 11
Our curriculum at a glance
Semester
Business Administration
Management Information Systems
Computer Science
Year 1
Academic Calendar ›› Ashesi’s academic calendar is divided into two semesters. Students typically
take four semester units per semester. A semester unit (typically 42 classroom contact hours
and 14 discussion/lab contact hours) is deﬁned as three (3) hours per week of classroom time
and 1 or 1.5 hours of discussion/lab time per week over a period of 16 weeks.
Semester
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Year 1
1
Sep–Jan
Design
Written & Oral Communication
Programming 1
Pre-Calculus 1 or Calculus 1
Giving Voice to Values
Design
Written & Oral Communication
Programming 1
Pre-Calculus 1 or Calculus 1
Giving Voice to Values
Design
Written & Oral Communication
Programming 1
Pre-Calculus 1 or Calculus 1
Giving Voice to Values
1
Sep–Jan
Written and Oral Communication
Calculus 1
Computer Programming
Design & Entrepreneurship 1
Written and Oral Communication
Calculus 1
Computer Programming
Design & Entrepreneurship 1
Written and Oral Communication
Calculus 1
Computer Programming
Design & Entrepreneurship 1
2
Feb–Jun
Negotiation & Creative Problem Solving
Microeconomics
Text and Meaning
Leadership Seminar 1*
Pre-Calculus 2 or Calculus 2
Negotiation & Creative Problem Solving
Microeconomics
Text and Meaning
Leadership Seminar 1*
Pre-Calculus 2 or Calculus 2
Negotiation & Creative Problem Solving
Microeconomics
Text and Meaning
Leadership Seminar 1*
Pre-Calculus 2 or Calculus 2
2
Feb– Jun
Text and Meaning
Calculus 2
Physics 1: Mechanics
Design & Entrepreneurship 2
Leadership Seminar 1 *
Text and Meaning
Calculus 2
Physics 1: Mechanics
Design & Entrepreneurship 2
Leadership Seminar 1*
Text and Meaning
Calculus 2
Physics 1: Mechanics
Design & Entrepreneurship 2
Leadership Seminar 1*
Summer
Applied Calculus
(Pre-Calculus students only)
Applied Calculus
(Pre-Calculus students only)
Applied Calculus
(Pre-Calculus students only)
Summer
Introduction to Engineering
Programming for Engineers *
Introduction to Engineering
Programming for Engineers *
Introduction to Engineering
Programming for Engineers *
Year 2
Year 2
1
Aug –Dec
Macroeconomics
Statistics
Leadership Seminar 2*
Financial Accounting
Organisational Behaviour
Macroeconomics
Statistics
Leadership Seminar 2*
Financial Accounting
Programming 2
Finance for Non-Finance Managers
Statistics
Leadership Seminar 2*
Programming 2
Human Computer Interaction
1
Aug –Dec
Physics 2: Electromagnetism
Statistics for Engineering
Materials Science & Chemistry
Leadership Seminar 2 *
Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra
Physics 2: Electromagnetism
Statistics for Engineering
Materials Science & Chemistry
Leadership Seminar 2 *
Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra
Physics 2: Electromagnetism
Statistics for Engineering
Materials Science & Chemistry
Leadership Seminar 2 *
Multivariable Calculus & Linear Algebra
2
Jan–May
Social Theory
Quantitative Methods
Leadership Seminar 3*
Introduction to Finance
African Studies Elective
Social Theory
Quantitative Methods
Leadership Seminar 3*
Introduction to Finance
Discrete Math or Data Structures
Social Theory
Quantitative Methods
Leadership Seminar 3*
Discrete Math
Data Structures & Algorithms
2
Jan–May
Circuits & Electronics
Instrumentation for Engineering *
Data Structures
Social Theory
Leadership Seminar 3 *
Circuits & Electronics
Instrumentation for Engineering *
Introduction to Electrical Machines
and Power Electronics
Social Theory
Leadership Seminar 3 *
Circuits & Electronics
Instrumentation for Engineering *
Introduction to Electrical Machines
and Power Electronics
Social Theory
Leadership Seminar 3 *
1
Aug –Dec
Differential Equations &
Numerical Methods
System Dynamics
Communication Systems
Leadership Seminar 4 for Engineers
(Includes Year 3 Group Project)
Differential Equations &
Numerical Methods
System Dynamics
Communication Systems
Leadership Seminar 4 for Engineers
(Includes Year 3 Group Project)
Differential Equations &
Numerical Methods
System Dynamics
Mechanics of Materials or
Structural Engineering
Leadership Seminar 4 for Engineers
(Includes Year 3 Group Project)
2
Jan–May
Control Systems
Software Engineering or
CE Elective
Digital Systems Design
Microeconomics
Year 3 Group Project & Seminar *
Control Systems
Advanced Electrical Machines and
Power Electronics
Digital Systems Design
Microeconomics
Year 3 Group Project & Seminar *
Control Systems
Mechanical Machine Design
Digital Systems Design
Microeconomics
Year 3 Group Project & Seminar *
Operating Systems or CE Elective
CE Elective
Project Management &
Professional Practice
Senior Project 1
Fundamentals of Thermal Fluid
Science & Heat Transfer
EE Elective
Project Management
& Professional Practice
Senior Project 1
Fundamentals of Thermal Fluid
Science & Heat Transfer
ME Elective
Project Management
& Professional Practice
Senior Project 1
Networks & Distributed Computing
CE Elective
African Studies Elective
Senior Project 2 & Seminar
EE Elective
EE Elective
African Studies Elective
Senior Project 2 & Seminar
Thermal Systems & Applications
ME Elective
African Studies Elective
Senior Project 2 & Seminar
Year 3
1
Aug –Dec
2
Jan–May
Year 3
Research Methods
Marketing
Managerial Accounting
Leadership Seminar 4 or
Business Elective
Research Methods
Marketing
Database Management
Leadership Seminar 4 or
Business Elective
Research Methods
Database Management
Programming 3 *
Leadership Seminar 4 or
CS Elective or
African Studies Elective
Operations Management
International Trade & Policy
Investments
Leadership Seminar 4 or
Business Elective
Software Engineering
Web Technology
Operations Management
Leadership Seminar 4 or
African Studies Elective
Computer Organisation & Architecture
Web Technology
Software Engineering
Leadership Seminar 4 or
CS Elective or African Studies Elective***
Corporate Finance
Business Elective
Competitive Strategy
Entrepreneurship 1 or Thesis 1 or
Applied Project or Elective
Managerial Accounting
Operating Systems**
Competitive Strategy
Entrepreneurship 1 or Thesis 1 or
Applied Project or Elective
Algorithms Design & Analysis
Operating Systems**
CS Elective or African Studies Elective ***
Entrepreneurship 1 or Thesis 1 or
Applied Project or Elective
Business Law
African Studies Elective
Business Elective
Entrepreneurship 2 or Thesis 2 or
Applied Project
E-Commerce
Networks & Distributed Computing**
Advanced Database Systems
Entrepreneurship 2 or Thesis 2 or
Applied Project
Computer Science Elective
Networks & Distributed Computing **
Computer Science Elective or
African Studies Elective ***
Entrepreneurship 2 or Thesis 2 or
Applied Project
Year 4
1
Aug –Dec
2
Jan–May
*1/2 credit
(0.5 units)
Page 12
Computer Engineering
** Note: The order of the Networks and Operating Systems courses may be swapped
in a given year (1.5 units). Electives will depend on student interest and faculty availability
Year 4
1
Aug –Dec
2
Jan–May
*** Computer Science Majors may substitute
Macroeconomics for one African Studies Elective
Page 13
SMALL Classes,
Amazing Professors
Class sizes at Ashesi are kept small, because we believe the best learning
takes place when students are able to have deep conversations with their
classmates and professors in and out of the classroom. Our classes are
full of energy, and students are encouraged to speak up, share ideas and
ask critical questions.
Our professors care deeply about the success of the students in their
classrooms. As leading voices in their areas of expertise, students will
ﬁnd that professors bring strong inspiration to Ashesi’s classes.
“ I want to help students realize the
signiﬁcant impact that technology
can have on problem-solving. ”
Dr. Ayorkor Korsah,
Head of Computer Science,
(PhD. in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence,
Carnegie Mellon University)
I want to help students appreciate the breadth of
computer science, and realize the signiﬁcant impact
that it can have on problem-solving from a wide
variety of disciplines, from economics through
biological sciences to education. I am committed to
helping students develop problem-solving and critical
reasoning skills as well as conﬁdence that they can be
active agents of their own learning.
“ Engaging students in constructing
their own learning extends to the
design of learning tasks that take
place outside of the classroom. ”
“”
Rebecca Awuah
Head of Arts and Sciences
(Master in Teaching, Seattle University)
All my classroom experiences are designed to get
students actively engaged in developing for
themselves the connections and “aha moments” that
represent real learning and integration, and set the
stage for application beyond the classroom. Engaging
students in constructing their own learning extends to
the design of learning tasks that take place outside of
the classroom.
“If you can create culture then you
can change it. In doing so, students
can change society. ”
“ We’re training students who are
willing to learn, explore and
challenge the status quo. ”
Kobina Graham
Lecturer, Arts & Sciences
(MA International Studies & Diplomacy, School of
Oriental & African Studies, University of London)
Dr. Esi Ansah
Assistant Professor, Business Administration
(PhD., Public Administration, Rutgers University)
My ultimate aim as a teacher is to move students from
social apathy towards a particularly African social
empathy. I attempt this in two ways: ﬁrst, by helping
students to see and question the hegemonies within
which they exist; secondly, by introducing them to the
idea that they are not merely receivers of culture but
also creators of it, with all the responsibilities that this
entails.
We are training students who are innovative and don’t
just think within the conﬁnes of what they know.
They’re willing to learn, explore and challenge the
status quo. And so when I look out there, and
employers are telling me they need more of our
students, that tells me we are doing something good.
“ I try to motivate my students by
sharing examples of how class
subjects apply to their life
beyond college. ”
“ It is not about ﬁnding the brightest
students but rather helping all
students to develop their ability. ”
Dr. Charles W. Jackson, PhD, P.E.
Assistant Professor, Computer Science
(PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University)
Anthony Ebow Spio
Head of Business Administration
(MSc. International Marketing, Strathclyde University)
In the quantitative methods, computer science,
discrete math and data mining classes I teach, I try to
motivate my students by sharing examples of how
these subjects apply to their life beyond college. I am
also passionate about introducing students to the
open source software that enable them to compete
globally even though they may not have the means to
purchase expensive software packages used in
colleges of the global north.
Learning is most effective when students are actively
engaged and collaborate with their colleagues in the
learning process and continually test, apply and reﬂect
on the concepts and theories they learn. My role is to
facilitate the process by creating an environment and
helping students to learn in multiple ways that
positively inﬂuence the way they think, feel and act.
LEARN AND DO MORE
OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
The kind of experience students have at Ashesi is theirs to choose.
From top to bottom, Ashesi’s campus life is brimming with excitement,
creativity and collaboration; students who choose to engage fully get
the best value from their time here.
Students have access to a wide variety of opportunities that bring energy to their
learning, on and off campus, in Ghana and abroad. For students who do not ﬁnd
opportunities that match their interests, Ashesi’s supportive environment allows
them to create their own.
A Student Owned Campus
Our campus life is owned and managed by students themselves. The student
leadership, known as the Ashesi Student Council (ASC), collaborates deeply with the
Ofﬁce of Student and Community Affairs to enhance the student experience and
support student-led initiatives. The student council also manages its own funds, with
oversight from university administration, and gets to determine spending according
to its own needs and priorities.
Growing Diversity in Clubs & Societies
Ashesi has many clubs and societies that aim to further unique student interests;
from the Ashesi Business Club which focuses on preparing students to engage in the
world of business, to the Kingdom Christian Fellowship which is the largest
non-denominational Christian group on campus, to the Photography club, an
energetic team of creatives, clubs at Ashesi continue to expand their impact.
A Pan-African Campus
As a Pan-African university, students and faculty come from all over Africa and
beyond, making our campus one of the most diverse in West Africa. Our growing list
of study abroad programmes and global learning opportunities also help expand the
reach of Ashesi’s education.
Our small, intimate university community also means that students get to build
strong relationships with their classmates and have a lifetime network of support all
over the world by the time they graduate.
Phoebe Amoako ‘15
Computer Science Major
Intern, Bank of America Merrill Lynch & Goldman Sachs
My greatest fulﬁlment has been working and learning in
different multicultural settings and realizing how the
knowledge I have acquired puts me among the best anywhere
in the world. At Ashesi, I have had the opportunity to intern
with Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs
International (both in London) where I worked with teams on
signiﬁcant projects.
Being an exchange student at Macalester College during my
senior year was the icing on my cake. Ashesi has made me a
global citizen - open minded with great perspectives on
diverse issues. I am prepared for the world!
Page 19
Engage Ivy Leaguers
Students Sela Agbakpe ‘15 (right) and Benedicta
Amo-Bempah ’16 were selected for the Yale
School of Management’s Pre-MBA programme
in the United States
“The students we met at Yale were just beyond
imagination. It was a group full of diversity,
intellectuals, entrepreneurs, and many others.”
- Benedicta
“The Pre-MBA programme has given me conﬁdence
and tools to look back at my achievements and
work towards future goals. International exposure
and perspective really helps you compete on a
global level.” - Sela
Discuss global change
through sports in Qatar
Students at Ashesi are invited annually to the
Doha GOALS conference in Qatar, a gathering of
world leaders engaged in discussions on how to
inﬂuence change in the world through sports.
Play for great teams
Started in 2010, the Ashesi Premier League
has become one of the most competitive
tournaments on campus. Each year different
teams, coached by students, battle it out for
top spot and bragging rights. The league is one
of several competitive activities students
participate in each year.
ENGAGE YOUR PASSION,
EXPLORE THE WORLD
We have been deliberate about helping students identify and develop the things
they care about. Each year our student services team brings together a series of
activities that help students explore different ﬁelds of expertise and talent.
Students also receive extensive support to take on internships and volunteer work.
Our students and alumni work with leading brands, across exciting industries –
from General Electric to Goldman Sachs, Banking to Fashion Design – and are
engaged with high-performing teams worldwide.
Students also get paid opportunities to work directly with different university
departments at Ashesi, under our campus work-study programme, through which
they not only gain valuable experience but also contribute to the work of
their alma mater.
Build exciting technology
As part of a research project with Ashesi’s Computer Science
department, two students, Wumpini Hussein ’14 and Francis Delali
Vorgbe ’14, teamed up to build a robot that could serve as a messenger
and tour guide. The two, using a low-cost Turtlebot robot kit, are using
Ashesi’s campus for their pilot.
As part of their project, the team is laying the foundational framework
for future robotics researchers at Ashesi, as they record detailed maps of
Ashesi’s campus into the robot’s intelligence.
“We’re working hard to bring this into fruition and who knows, we might
just build the next self-driving automobile while we’re at it – right here
in Ghana,” says Vorgbe.
Learn where the career
opportunities exist
Have deep conversations
with thought leaders
Our annual Career Fairs bring together some 60
different organisations each year, allowing students to
interact with potential employers and learn about the
required skills, challenges and opportunities in
different industries across Africa.
We encourage students to engage in broad leadership
discussions. The Ashesi-Citi Dialogue, for example, is a
series of deep conversations about Ghana that will be
recorded every year at Ashesi by Citi FM in Ghana, with
the aim to spur more involvement in Ghana’s
development efforts.
Some organisations hire interns and offer full-time job
opportunities to students during these fairs. Students
also learn how to present a great job proﬁle and make a
good ﬁrst impression.
The ﬁrst discussion explored the state of Ghana
post-independence, with a focus on the comparison
between today’s Ghana and the Ghana of the years
immediately after independence.
Meet and learn from
high-impact leaders
Practise good citizenship by
engaging your community
Each semester Ashesi hosts some of Africa’s most
inﬂuential leaders, allowing students to learn from
the experiences of people who are inﬂuencing
societies and lives across the continent.
Students Sela Agbakpe ‘15 and Leonard Annan ’14
learned in their interactions with people in Berekuso
(where Ashesi is located) that illiteracy was a big
barrier for small business owners and farmers.
Past speakers at Ashesi have included
ex-President of Ghana His Excellency John Kufuor,
U.S Ambassador to Ghana His Excellency Gene
Cretz, CEO of UT Bank Prince Koﬁ Amoabeng, CEO
of Airtel Ghana Lucy Quist among others.
They teamed up with classmates to start an adult
learning initiative to tackle the problem, winning
$10,000 in funding from the Dalai Lama Fellows
Programme. Their project is expanding to more
towns, with their ﬁrst class graduating in 2014.
We are a community of
diversity and friendship
Our community thrives on the diversity of its people. With some
twenty-three countries represented, conversations on campus are rich and
full of perspective. Our growing alumni network extends all across Africa,
and as members of the Ashesi community, students will ﬁnd Ashesi
camaraderie wherever they go.
Students get equal access to a myriad of global learning opportunities,
including exchange programmes at colleges like Swarthmore, Macalester,
Coe and Wheaton in the United States; attend student conferences like the
Doha GOALS conference in Qatar or the MasterCard Scholars Convening in
Canada or get funding to join a team of social innovators in changing the
world through the Dalai Lama and Melton Fellows Programme.
20
Countries Represented
Global Learning Partners include:
COLLEGE
DALAI LAMA FELLOWS
Page 24
Semester at sea
Cynthia Gouanfo ‘18, Cameroon
Computer Science
Itumelang Ralebitso ‘17, Lesotho
Business Administration Major
“The teacher-student relationship makes
learning fun at Ashesi. They’re very
open, and always try to make sure that
students understand what is taught.”
“The education at Ashesi is great; you
are always asked to share your
thoughts, not just listen to that of
others. This is something I value.”
Bryan Acheampong ‘18, Ghana
Management Information Systems
Clare Speer, United States
Exchange Student, Macalester College
“I am proud of how much I have learned
and accomplished at Ashesi already.
My journey to greatness has already
started. I feel unstoppable!”
“The two things I really like about
Ashesi are that the people here are
very friendly, and the campus is
really beautiful.”
Esohe Osagie-Erese ‘16, Nigeria
Business Administration
Benson Wachira ‘16, Kenya
Computer Science
“I have found myself experiencing
things I never thought I would here.
Ashesi is more of my second home, and
I feel thankful for this great family.”
“Ashesi gives me a unique taste of
different cultures and gives me a
great opportunity to share big ideas
with a generation of African leaders.”
Page 25
Proven Record
OF Career IMPACT
95
%
receive job offers
within three months
of graduation
..............................................
Founder and CEO, Soronko Solutions
Regina graduated from Ashesi as one of the best students, and the only woman, in
her Computer Science class. She took a job in I.T Banking, where she was also the
ﬁrst and only woman in her department. After six years, Regina moved to start her
social enterprise, Soronko Solutions, through which she is promoting social
development through technology.
A 100% Placement Success
Since our ﬁrst graduating class, 100% of Ashesi’s
graduates have found job placements, started their own
businesses or gone on to pursue postgraduate degrees in
top universities around the world. Over 90% of our
graduates live and work in Africa, committed to helping
create a renaissance across the continent.
In 2013 she was named one of four Change Leaders joining the Tigo Reach for
Change’s incubator programme, which helps social entrepreneurs build innovative
ideas geared towards improving the lives of children.
rancard
Life-Long Career Support
Our relationships with students are life-long, and Ashesi
alumni continue to receive career, coaching and
mentorship support long after their graduation. Our
Career Services and Alumni Ofﬁces work together to
identify need areas for alumni, and provide support
services to help them navigate their dynamic careers.
Graduate Schools Include:
business
school
THE TECHy
INSPIRING WOMEN
REGINA AGYARE ‘05
Employers Include:
At its core, Ashesi’s educational experience is
designed to prepare students to excel in whatever
careers they choose. Partnerships with different
organisations around Africa also ensure that
students have access to exceptional career
opportunities.
International
Business
School
ALUMNI STORY:
P ET RTU SR
T
Africa
Internet
Group
Regina is an Aspen New Voices Fellow, where she serves as a Development Expert.
She has been featured on CNN as one of Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs
and by Lean In, a foundation started by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. The
foundation is focused on encouraging women to pursue their ambitions and
change the conversation from what they can’t do to what they can do. Regina is
also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community and is
also a GOOD Fellow. She is actively involved in mentorship events on campus, and
has inspired many women at Ashesi and beyond to pursue careers in technology.
ALUMNI STORY:
THE Superwoman
CHANGING LIVES
Maame Dufie Cudjoe ‘05
Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility &
Internal Communications, Airtel Ghana
When Maame left Ashesi, her mission was clear: she wanted to use her education to
affect the lives of the disadvantaged in society. Through her experiences at Ashesi,
especially during her community service work, she had seen how much work there
was to be done in Ghana.
“Ashesi made us see in a very real way, the challenges and needs of many people
across Africa,” Maame explains. “A lot of the projects we worked on focused on actual
cases and challenges, and we learned to build solutions that could have real impact.”
After graduation Maame worked in one of Ghana’s biggest private banks, and
eventually transitioned to work at Airtel Ghana, then known as Zain
Communications Ghana, as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Coordinator.
Maame eventually moved up to become Manager of CSR and Corporate
Communications. In her role she champions Airtel Ghana’s work in community
engagement, helping the telecoms organisation effectively give back to the
communities its customers live in.
“In managing Airtel’s CSR I strive to ensure that we engage in sustainable initiatives
that have potential to beneﬁt the entire country,” Maame says. “Our award winning
CSR initiative for example, called Airtel Touching Lives, is a project that empowers
unsung heroes in communities across Ghana, and gives them resources to expand
their work and impact. It has helped change a lot of lives, and I am proud of that.”
In 2014 alone, Maame’s work has helped Airtel Ghana win several major awards in
community engagement and public relations, including the Ghana Telecom Award
for CSR Company of the Year, the Institute of Public Relations’ Best Community
Relations Programme of the Year and Corporate Social Responsibility of the Year at
the Association of Ghana Industries Awards.
“I am excited by the recognition that our peers and industry partners give Airtel, but I
am more excited by the fact that we continue to inspire businesses in Africa to
contribute meaningfully in developing the continent,” Maame adds. “It is important
that we collectively work to empower people. The beneﬁts spread to everyone;
businesses cannot grow if the customers they serve are not being signiﬁcantly
transformed for good.”
Page 28
“...I always wanted to use my
education to change lives...”
ALUMNI STORY:
THE FORMER BANKER
HEELING THE WORLD
Fred Deegbe ‘06
Co-founder, Heel the World
A few years ago, Fred walked out of a store in Ghana with a new pair of high-end Pierre
Cardin shoes. As he admired his new shoes, Fred wondered why craftsmen in Ghana could
not have made them.
"Local entrepreneurs had moved away from competing with luxury brands worldwide
because it had become almost impossible to gain as much acceptance - especially on the
perceived quality of products," says Fred.
But after that shoe purchase, Fred went on to help lead a charge against this perception.
He co-founded a shoe company with one mission in mind: to make shoes in Ghana that
would be better than the foreign ones he had purchased. Together with his team, Fred
started the “Heel The World” fashion company.
"It was unorthodox, and unusual, but we decided to make shoes. We wanted to show Africa
that we were just as capable as entrepreneurs anywhere, of making high end products
right here at home." The name of the company, "Heel The World" (rather than "Heel Africa"),
was the signiﬁer that Fred and his partners were looking to make an impact not just on
Africa, but on the world.
"Heel the World is more than a shoe company – it is a social enterprise that counters
perceptions of the quality and capabilities of Ghanaian craftsmanship." In addition to their
shoes, Heel The World also makes wrist beads - called 'empowerment beads' - that have
gained a loyal following since they started selling in 2011, together with high-quality
leather products.
At Ashesi, Fred served as the second President of the Ashesi Student Council, and played a
lead role in helping deﬁne a culture for Ashesi's student community. "It was something
else. I went from a low grade point average to the Dean's list. After months of hard work
and lots of support from my lecturers, I went from trips to the Dean's ofﬁce to discuss bad
grades, to visiting the President's ofﬁce to discuss progress for the university. Ashesi
changed me."
“...Nothing is impossible if
you have the right mindset...”
Today, with his experience at Ashesi and a few years after starting a shoe company, Fred is
working to teach more young Africans about entrepreneurship and leadership; and Heel
The World's presence is being felt all over the world. The company is providing jobs for
local shoemakers, has supported other young entrepreneurs ﬁnancially and is planning to
set up a resource repository for would-be entrepreneurs to tap into. Heel The World also
runs a small foundation that continues to work with non-proﬁt organisations to support
deprived communities in Ghana.
When asked how he would describe himself at the World Economic Forum in Ethiopia
where he was one of 32 Global Shapers in attendance, Fred replied: "My name is Fred
Deegbe, and I'm a shoemaker. This is how I Heel The World."
Page 31
APPLY TO JOIN
OUR COMMUNITY OF
REMARKABLE PEOPLE
Ashesi is a community that thrives on the energy of its
people. We seek students who are excited about engaging
with the world, developing their potential to the fullest
and implementing amazing ideas.
We welcome students from all over the world
We have made steady progress in expanding diversity in
Ashesi’s community, with over twenty countries
represented on campus. We are excited by students who
bring cultural diversity and unique perspectives, no
matter where you are coming from.
Generous ﬁnancial assistance for those who need it
Since our inception, we have been committed to
expanding access to education for students regardless
of their ﬁnancial background. Qualiﬁed students who
would otherwise not have been able to afford the Ashesi
education receive generous ﬁnancial assistance from
us, with support from partners worldwide.
We are big on gender balance
A part of Ashesi’s core belief is that women – in equal
numbers to men – will help drive an African renaissance.
Through speciﬁc admissions efforts, we have achieved
gender balance in our student community, a fact we are
proud of.
Prepare to join us
If you are considering joining Ashesi as a student, be
ambitious in the goals you set for yourself. Tackle tough
challenges in and out of the classroom, don’t be afraid to
share your gifts and talents with the world and be an
involved member of your high school community.
Come visit us
Visiting our campus is a great way to learn ﬁrst-hand
about Ashesi. The Admissions Ofﬁce is open all year. To
schedule a visit, or learn more about the student
experience, talk to our admissions team.
Contact us
+233 302 610 330
[email protected]
www.ashesi.edu.gh
Page 32
40%
48%
20%
Students at Ashesi
on scholarships.
Close to half of Ashesi
students are women.
Approximately one out
of every five students
that apply to Ashesi
are admitted.
SUPPORT OUR WOrk
Donate
Donations fuel Ashesi’s growth, new programmes and
access to scholarships. Consider making a gift to
Ashesi to help us on our mission to reshape Africa.
Connect
On campus, volunteers give guest lectures, serve as
technical advisors to staff and faculty and mentor
students. Call us to learn how your expertise can
impact Ashesi’s work.
Spread the Word
The Ashesi story spreads through advocacy. Learn
more about Ashesi by subscribing to our email
newsletter, follow us on social media and share our
stories, or connect us with friends who can support
Ashesi’s mission.
Ashesi University Foundation
Ashesi Campus
Address
1414 31st Avenue South
Suite 301, Box #11
Seattle, WA 98144 USA
(+1 206) 545-6988
1 University Avenue
Berekuso, E/R, Ghana
+233 302 610 330
Ashesi University College
PMB CT3, Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
[email protected]
www.ashesi.org
[email protected]
www.ashesi.edu.gh
facebook.com/ashesi
twitter.com/ashesi