Ashesi University though grounded in liberal arts offers degree programs in STEM disciplines namely Computer Science and Information Systems, Engineering and a heavy Math based Business Administration undergraduate degree. In 2022, Ashesi launched its first graduate program in Mechatronic Engineering in partnership with ETH Zurich offering dual Master’s degrees
In addition to these degree programs, it supports the improvements of student learning outcomes in STEM through extra-curricular structured programs such as the Ashesi Resourceful Engineering Lab (AREL) for its students and teaching assistants.
Ashesi also, through the work of Dr. Heather Beem supports STEM work in Ghanaian Education Service high schools by training science teachers on how to create how to create hands-on STEM teaching materials for practicals using locally available materials.
See below for details on improving student learning outcomes in STEM at Ashesi University, and in high schools:
Improving STEM Learning Outcomes at Ashesi
Improving STEM Learning Outcomes in High Schools
Ashesi University’s initiative, the Education Collaborative supports the work of PEN (Practical Education Network), an NGO focused on improving student learning outcomes of science through efficient and practical training of science teachers. Founded by Ashesi lecturer Dr Heather Beem, PEN’s mission is to provide resources and capacity building support to STEM teachers to improve learning outcomes of the students they serve. PEN hosts teacher training workshops that teach secondary teachers in Ghana how to create hands-on STEM teaching materials for practicals using locally available materials. The teachers are expected to train other teachers in their schools, resulting in a cascading effect, there is which helps the teachers better educate their students.
Ashesi and PEN’s most recent partnership came in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which forced many, if not all, interactions to take place online. Because PEN focuses on hands-on and experiential training, hosting online classes wasn’t in their foreseeable future. However, with the help of the EC, PEN has developed several online modules and workshops, and even kickstarted the financial empowerment of the teachers to train other teachers. Thus far, PEN has trained over 3,300 teachers on hands-on STEM activities. More about their impact can be found here.