SWISS PROFESSOR EXPLORES PARTNERSHIP WITH CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF GHANA

By CUG NEWS MEDIA



The Catholic University of Ghana (CUG) is poised for a new era of academic collaboration following a 10-day working visit by Professor Maddalena Fiordelli, a renowned senior lecturer from the University of Lugano in Switzerland. Her visit, which began on July 15 and would end on July 25, 2025, signals the dawn of a promising partnership between the two institutions in the field of communication sciences  with a particular focus on public health communication in the digital age.

In a high-level meeting with the Management of CUG at the Fiapre campus, Professor Fiordelli expressed keen interest in establishing a long-term academic collaboration, citing strong similarities in institutional goals. “The University of Lugano is introducing a new course in public health communication,” she said, “and I am impressed by how Catholic University of Ghana has advanced in public health education up to the PhD level. There’s so much we can learn from each other.”

The Vice Chancellor of CUG, Prof. Daniel Kwabena Obeng-Ofori, described the visit as timely, especially as the university is in the process of strengthening its journalism and communication department. “This visit is divine,” he remarked. “We are laying the groundwork to introduce a Master’s program in Public Health Communication, and your arrival adds a new layer of excitement and opportunity.”

Backing the Vice Chancellor’s vision, the Pro-Vice Chancellor — also the founding pillar of the School of Journalism and Communication Sciences — confirmed that plans for the Master's program are already in motion. “We are only awaiting final approval from GTEC. This collaboration could not have come at a better time. We are committed to working closely with the faculty of Public Health to bring this dream to life for the mutual benefit of both institutions.”


Also present at the meeting was Professor Samuel Yaw Opoku, Dean of the School of Public Health and Allied Sciences, who played a pivotal role in facilitating Professor Fiordelli’s visit. He acknowledged the instrumental support of the Vicar General of the Sunyani Catholic Diocese, Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Febiri, who connected both parties. “While CUG leads in offering public health education at the PhD level,” Professor Opoku noted, “we are still new in the niche of public health communication. This collaboration offers the perfect opportunity to bridge that gap.”

During her stay, Professor Fiordelli visited several departments and faculties across the campus, including Wisdom 101.1 FM, the university’s campus radio station. In a live interview with the station’s General Manager and Morning Show host, Mr. Adam Siaka, popularly known on-air as Wofa Kente, Professor Fiordelli announced an upcoming student and staff exchange program. “Students from Lugano will have the chance to study here, and your students will visit Switzerland in return. This will not only enhance cultural exposure but also enrich academic experiences.” 


In a personal touch that highlighted the family-friendly nature of her visit, Professor Fiordelli revealed that she traveled with her husband and children. Her husband is currently collaborating with the Vicar General on the SAMMA Restaurant Project, where he is training the restaurant’s kitchen staff in the preparation of continental cuisine.

As the 10-day academic and cultural exchange wraps up, both institutions are optimistic that the partnership will blossom into a dynamic alliance — one that will elevate public health communication education and research across continents.

By   Adam Siaka
Broadcast Journalist
Wisdom FM Newsroom | July 25, 2025 – Fiapre, Sunyani


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