Ashesi has joined the Reach Alliance, a group of universities enabling student-led research into local perspectives for some of the most pressing global challenges. The initiative, founded in 2015 at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, was inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Ashesi is one of four universities to join the Alliance this year, with the other three being the University of Cape Town, Singapore Management University, and the University of Melbourne.
The Alliance allows student researchers to investigate inventive, local solutions to pressing global challenges and help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The actionable insights generated are then used in advancing an inclusive economy that will deliver value to all stakeholders while enabling the success of graduates, companies, communities and countries. The addition of four new universities doubles the size of the Alliance from the four previous members, which were the University of Toronto, Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico, the University of Oxford and University College London.
“This is an excellent partnership,” says Ashesi Provost, Professor Angela Owusu-Ansah. “Engaging students in research of the lived experiences of marginalised groups is likely to amplify students’ ethical, entrepreneurial, and critical thinking; their concern for others; and the courage to act for change.”
To date, the Reach Alliance has published 30 case studies spanning 20 countries. Actionable research insights have informed practitioners and policymakers – accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and establishing the next generation of global leaders. Reach findings have been published in leading outlets, such as The Lancet, Stanford Social Innovation Review and WHO Bulletin.
“The work of the Reach Alliance can only be done by strengthening international partnerships to achieve global reach,” says Marin MacLeod, Executive Director at the Reach Alliance. “We’re thrilled to welcome these leading universities to the Alliance and to learn from their unique and diverse perspectives. Their faculty and students will make a tremendous contribution to our global network of experts.”
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