The visit served as a platform for the Ambassador to familiarise himself with Academic City’s academic philosophy, facilities and unique approach to higher education. It also provided an opportunity for the two institutions to explore possible partnerships that could advance innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Prof. Fred McBagonluri, President of Academic City, expressed his appreciation for the visit, describing it as a clear demonstration of the ambassador’s interest in Ghana’s education sector.

He emphasised the importance of strategic partnerships in driving significant transformation in tertiary education, noting that Academic City is committed to redefining university education in Africa by equipping students with future-ready skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

He further added “As a forward-looking institution, we are focused on preparing students to be not just job seekers, but job creators and solution providers. We are excited about the potential collaboration with Austria to enhance our offering of a world-class university experience.”

H.E. Ambassador Heissel commended Academic City for its impressive achievements within a relatively short period of operation and its innovative academic model, which blends theoretical learning with practical experiences and prepares students to tackle real-world challenges.

He was particularly impressed about the university’s entrepreneurship programme, describing it as a vital tool for empowering the youth to think creatively and take initiative adding that such programmes are crucial for addressing Africa’s unemployment challenge and unlocking the continent’s full potential.

Ing. Dr. Lucy Agyepong, Vice President, Institutional Advancement of Academic City expressed optimism that a partnership with the Austrian government and its institutions could provide students with international exposure and resources to advance their learning.

According to her, such collaborations are essential for bridging the gap between academic theory and industry practice.

“At Academic City, our goal is to build a critical mass of skilled professionals and innovators who will drive Africa’s transformation. We believe that working with development-oriented countries like Austria will create mutually beneficial opportunities that will enable knowledge exchange, innovation, and capacity-building that serve the shared goals of both regions,”,” she added.