We are delighted to share that the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) is taking steps towards establishing an international branch in Ghana for nursing and midwifery education. Dr. Abdolreza Pazouki, the President of the IUMS, recently met with Ghanaian authorities, including Prof. Mohammed Salifu, Director General of GTEC organization in Ghana, Dr. Hafiz Adam Zahir, director of international cooperation of the Ministry of Health of Ghana, and Dr. Al-Hassan, president of Tamale University, to discuss academic cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, Dr. Pazouki highlighted the IUMS’s scientific status in the international rankings of Shanghai, Times, Asia, and the world. He also welcomed the opportunity for the IUMS to cooperate with Ghana in improving the level of health and sending a medical team in the specialized field of laparoscopy.

Dr. Mehdi Moghtadaei, International Vice President and Head of the International Campus of the IUMS, explained that the admission of students at the IUMS branch in Ghana will begin with nursing and midwifery courses at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. He added that the IUMS currently recruits and accepts 2,000 international students from various countries, including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more.

Dr. Masoud Maleki Birjandi, Deputy International Vice President of the IUMS, then emphasized the importance of health diplomacy as a way to connect nations. Referring to the advantages of choosing Ghana to establish the international branch of the IUMS, he noted that Ghanaians pay great attention to science and knowledge, and there is a potential capacity in Ghana for education in medicine and nursing.

Furthermore, Dr. Maleki referred to prominent figures of Ghana, including Kofi Atta Annan, the Secretary General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He stated that Ghana shines like a jewel on the African continent, and Ghanaians are eager to acquire knowledge. He also mentioned that students from West African countries come to Ghana for education due to its high capacity.

The meeting also included discussions on setting up the international branch of the IUMS under the title of “Iran-Ghana Educational, Scientific and Advanced Technology Collaboration Office” with the participation of Tamale University. Additionally, the officials of Ghana welcomed the IUMS’s ability and capabilities to improve the level of health in Ghana and suggested that the IUMS prepare a preliminary research plan for the services that Ghana is considering based on the health needs of the people of Ghana.

We are pleased to share that in-principle approval for the establishment of the international branch of the Iran University of Medical Sciences at Jamia Al-Mustafa University in Ghana was approved and signed by Dr. Bahram Einollahi, Minister of Health, in the 288th meeting of the Council for the Development of Medical Sciences Universities on September 17, 2022. We look forward to continuing our academic collaboration with Ghana and improving healthcare services in the region.