The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SoPPS), University of Cape Coast (UCC), is advancing its internationalisation agenda through strategic engagements with key pharmaceutical and academic institutions in Togo and Côte d’Ivoire, aimed at creating exciting opportunities for international professional exposure for its students.

The engagements, led by the Dean of the School, Professor Ernest Obese, took place in Lomé, Togo, from 19^th to 23^rd October 2026, and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from 1^st to 4^th November 2026. The visits focused on building institutional partnerships to facilitate a proposed six-week French immersion and professional training programme for UCC PharmD students.

In Lomé, Togo, the delegation held discussions with the National Order of Pharmacists of Togo and the University of Lomé to explore avenues for academic cooperation, professional training and student internship placements in pharmaceutical establishments. The engagements helped identify areas of mutual interest and strengthen institutional relationships for future collaboration.

Similarly, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the delegation engaged the National Order of Pharmacists on arrangements for a six-week supervised professional immersion programme for UCC PharmD students in accredited pharmacies and other relevant professional institutions. Discussions centred on student placement, regulatory requirements, professional supervision and assessment to ensure a meaningful and structured learning experience. The delegation also held fruitful talks with the Dean of the UFR des Sciences Pharmaceutiques et Biologiques at Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Cocody. Areas of collaboration discussed included hosting the French Immersion students from SoPPS, student mobility initiatives, and joint research projects.

As part of the engagements, the delegation also held discussions with the Ghana High Commission in Togo and the Ghana Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire. These meetings focused on the safety, security, and general welfare of UCC students who will participate in the proposed

immersion programme. The diplomatic missions provided an important platform for discussing appropriate support arrangements and institutional coordination to help safeguard students throughout their stay in the two countries.

The initiative is being pursued through a collaboration between the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Department of French, under the coordination of Dr Anthony Y. M. De-Souza, Ag. Head of the Department of French. It is expected to equip participating students with practical professional experience while strengthening their French language proficiency and cross-cultural competencies.

These strategic engagements represent a significant milestone in the School’s commitment to internationalisation, experiential learning and the continuous improvement of pharmacy education. Beyond opening doors to international professional opportunities, the initiative seeks to prepare UCC pharmacy graduates to thrive in an increasingly interconnected healthcare environment.

From Cape Coast to Lomé and Abidjan, SoPPS is building bridges, creating opportunities, and expanding the horizons of pharmacy education