University of Ghana and Bordeaux University in France have signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate exchange of academic programmes and staff between the two institutions to stimulate quality research and learning.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) aided the agreement process following President John Dramani Mahama visit to France last year smoothing the way for the duo high learning institutions to formalise the deal on Friday after years of talks.

The agreement paves the way for authorities of the academic centres to concretise their quest for establishing lasting relations that will see the duo institutions carry out joint research and quicken exchange programmes among students.

“This cooperation agreement in political studies is a step towards developing joint research and programmes among students,” Mr François Pujolas, the French Ambassador said.

He said making the academic world move with reality was crucial in enhancing development and addressing myriad of social and economic challenges confronting nations including Ghana, expressing hope the deal would bridge the gap between industries and academics.

He told journalists after the signing ceremony that the pact was also expected to ease the learning of French among Ghanaian students and boost their competencies to take advantage of global job opportunities.

Professor Kwame Offei, Pro Vice-Chancellor of University of Ghana, expressed delight that formal relations between the two institutions have finally been concretised after years of talks.

Professor Naa Ayikailey Ademafio of the International Relations office, University of Ghana (UG), made a presentation about academic programmes, colleges and satellite campuses of the university.

She said UG has a student population of about 40,000 with 800 being international students coming from 50 countries, though academic staff is pegged at 1200, a number she noted was insufficient.

Professor Adamafio said the female population of University is 45 percent as against males, saying “this [female students’ enrolment] is not good for our liking, we hope to achieve 50 percent parity.”

However, Professor Maria Binet, Vice President of Bordeaux University, said the statistics was in sharp contrast with Bordeaux whose students’ population stands 1600, with 2000 being foreign students.

“The university teaches 23 languages, this is quite a lot as compared to other universities in the world,” she said.

The Chief Executive Officer of GIPC, Mrs Mawuena Trebarh expressed delight on the role the Centre played a facilitating the formalisation of the pact saying her outfit would continue to support to sustain the relationship between the institutions.