BSC hosts talks with educational representatives from Ghana Posted on 9/1/2011
Rev. Prof. Daniel Nyarko, president of Takoradi Polytechnic in Ghana, spoke about the potential partnership at a press conference Aug. 31 with BSC President Larry Skogen (left) and Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, deputy adjutant general, North Dakota National Guard.
Bismarck State College announces plans to explore an educational partnership with Takoradi Polytechnic in Ghana.
Three college representatives arrived Aug. 29 on their first U.S. visit to discuss how BSC can help train technicians for work in Ghana's emerging oil industry. Takoradi Polytechnic has interest in BSC's nationally recognized portfolio of energy programs.
Takoradi Polytechnic is located along the coast in Sekondi-Takoradi, the twin-city capitol of Ghana's western region. The area has proximity to the developing oil fields and is known as an industrial and commercial center.
In a press conference Aug. 31, BSC President Larry Skogen said the potential partnership is in keeping with BSC's mission to offer quality education and workforce training to local and global communities.
Others speaking at the press conference were Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, NDNG deputy adjutant general; and Rev. Prof. Daniel Nyarko, rector (president) of Takoradi Polytechnic. Accompanying Nyarko were his wife, Betty Nyarko, and Matthew Gyan, dean of Takoradi Polytechnic's School of Engineering.
BSC has been working for sometime to help the North Dakota National Guard in its mission in Ghana. The North Dakota National Guard has built ties to Ghana through its State Partnership Program. The program reflects an evolving international affairs mission that links U.S. states with foreign nations to promote and enhance bilateral relations.
In 2009, BSC President Larry Skogen and Kari Knudson, vice president, National Energy Center of Excellence, traveled to Ghana to begin talks with educational institutions and representatives of the energy industry toward that goal. The visit by Takoradi Polytechnic officials is the result of those efforts.
Activities during the visit included tours of the BSC campus and National Energy Center of Excellence and meetings with energy-related companies and organizations. The Ghana contingent also toured Medora and other points of interest in western North Dakota.
