The Institutional Advancement Directorate (InAD) of the University of Ghana has hosted a high‑level delegation from Midlands State University (MSU), Zimbabwe, as part of efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships and deepen collaboration in advancement, fundraising, and alumni engagement among African universities.
The delegation was led by Vice‑Chancellor of Midlands State University, Prof. Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa, and included the University Registrar, Mr. Tinashe Zishiri; University Librarian, Ms. Nyarai Patience Chibanda; Executive Director for International and Alumni Relations, Prof. Laurine Chikoko; and Assistant to the Vice‑Chancellor, Prof. Hazel Tafadzwa Ngoshi.
Welcoming the delegation, the Director of Institutional Advancement at the University of Ghana, Prof. Gordon Abekah‑Nkrumah, noted that the engagement reflects the University’s strategic priority on Engagements and Partnerships. He emphasised that institutional advancement thrives when universities intentionally create spaces for collaboration, shared learning, and the exchange of practical experiences.
Prof. Abekah‑Nkrumah highlighted InAD’s approach to advancement as an integrated ecosystem that brings together leadership, partnerships, resource mobilisation, alumni relations, and stakeholder engagement to support the University’s long‑term strategic objectives. He noted that strengthening advancement practice across African universities requires trust‑based partnerships anchored in mutual respect and shared purpose.
The engagement, which took place on Wednesday, 9th April, provided a platform for both institutions to exchange best practices in advancement, with discussions focusing on sustainable fundraising models, effective alumni engagement strategies, and institutional systems that support long‑term growth. Participants explored how advancement functions not as a standalone activity, but as a coordinated institutional effort aligned with governance and development priorities.
Conversations during the visit moved beyond comparing institutional models to a more reflective exchange on shared challenges and opportunities in African higher education. The dialogue emphasised the importance of context‑responsive strategies, equitable partnerships, and relationship‑driven approaches in strengthening universities and enhancing their impact.
Members of the MSU delegation also shared insights from their experience in alumni relations, international engagement, and institutional development, creating space for candid reflection on what works, what evolves, and what must be re‑imagined as African universities navigate changing funding landscapes and global expectations.
Reflecting on the broader engagement journey, Mr. Tinashe Zishiri, Registrar of Midlands State University, noted that the April visit was informed by an earlier engagement with InAD in October 2025, during which he was first introduced to the University of Ghana’s institutional advancement model.
“My first visit opened my mind,” he remarked. “We saw clear areas of collaboration and gained a deeper appreciation of how advancement supports the university’s broader mission.”
He explained that the April visit was deliberately designed as a follow‑up engagement, bringing together senior leadership and policy‑makers from MSU to ensure a shared institutional understanding of InAD’s mandate and strategic role.
“I brought the policy makers so that when we all understand and appreciate the overview of the mandate of InAD, it will help us collaborate more effectively in the future,” the Registrar added.
For InAD, the engagement reaffirmed a core philosophy that institutional advancement is not static, but dynamic. It is shaped by people, strengthened through partnerships, and sustained by a shared sense of purpose. Through engagements such as this, the Directorate continues to position the University of Ghana as a convenor of dialogue and a contributor to shaping advancement practice across the African higher education landscape.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to sustained collaboration and continued exchange, reflecting a collective aspiration to advance African higher education through learning, partnership, and strategic engagement.