Morgan State University is expected to establish a universal presence in Africa by offering a new pilot curriculum. Recently, the Board of Regents agreed on the proposal for the university to provide three-degree courses; a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, a Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Science in Global Multimedia Journalism and Communications. These programs will be offered through collaborations with the African University College of Communications (AUCC) in Adabraka, Ghana. The pilot course is programmed to begin in fall 2020, which offers chances for western African scholars to secure degrees from Morgan State University. The partnership is the first of such kind for a historically Black college and University in Ghana. Morgan is planning to join a chosen few American universities that offer degree courses in Africa.
“Over the past five years, we have been very interested in Africa and have been eyeing expansion into new markets. We look forward to piloting these three academic degree programs in Ghana. If this initiative is successful in attracting top-notch students and awarding them highly valued Morgan degrees, we will consider establishing a more physical presence in Africa,” said David Wilson, Morgan president. “So long as I am the president of this institution, Morgan will never be in stasis. We cannot afford to stand still. It is incumbent upon the university to always lean forward and continuously explore all viable opportunities in this rapidly transforming higher education environment.”
Collectively, the Board approved the University proposal to add a Master’s degree of Science in Advanced Computing. Awaiting the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) authorization, the M.S. in Advanced Computing would be the first of such a degree to be offered at a Maryland university. At the same time, Morgan State University would be the only HBCU in the country to provide it. The program accessibility at Morgan would lay a solid foundation in students for the evolving computer science areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, cloud computing, and machine learning. This past November, Morgan States University’s Board of Regents also proposed a degree course in cloud computing. Recently, MHEC accepted Morgan’s appeal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing starting in fall 2020.
In January, an executive team, paid a site visit to AUCC, in Ghana, a University of Ghana affiliate institute, and concluded on the remaining particulars of the anticipated partnership. The organization calls for Morgan instructors from the School of Global Journalism and communication and the Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management to go to Ghana to teach the joining cohorts. The programs would be delivered through online instruction and face-to-face methods. Morgan is pursuing at least 20 scholars to commence the pilot courses. An assessment of the courses is scheduled at the end of the first year.
Recent economic statistics indicate that Africa will be the topmost developing market of this century. With a population of 1.2 billion and over 50% of the population under 30 years, Africa is expected to grow faster. As a result of rapid population growth, African governments channel a significant portion of the annual income to support primary and secondary education accessibility. One of the areas that most African governments have not fully invested in is “tertiary education.” The African public higher education institutes can accommodate at most 5% of the general demand.
“Morgan State University will deliver highly innovative M.S. and B.S. programs that fully prepare individuals to be global leaders,” said Lesia Crumpton- Ph.D., dean and senior vice president for Academic Affairs at Morgan State University. “These program graduates will serve as catalysts for economic growth and development throughout the African continent and beyond.”
In response to the rising need for a skilled computer workforce in the nation, Morgan intends to deliver a Master’s program in Advanced Computing, accessible in both classroom and online settings. The new course would be intended for scholars who have a bachelor’s degree program in computer science and related faculties and wish to apply their acquired skills, improve their careers, or explore research opportunities in computer science. The one-year program in Advanced Computing would complement to the B.S. in Cloud Computing.
“Morgan understands what employers, particularly those in the technology sector, are looking for from our graduates,” said Dr. Wilson. “They need talent with particular skill sets, and we are bringing forth degree programs to provide those skills. Our students who are matriculating in these programs will be highly sought after, the world over.”
The Computer Science Department will manage both the M.S. and the B.S. in Cloud Computing programs in Morgan’s School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences. With the agreement on the strategic collaboration terms, the ultimate affiliation contract will need an endorsement from the MSU Board of Regents. The meeting of the Board is planned to take place on May 5, 2020.
About Morgan
Morgan State University, established in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institute offering over 126 academic courses for degrees ranging from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. Morgan serves a Multiracial and multinational student body and pursues to ensure wider education doors for higher education, accessible to all students.
For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
