Since our founding in 2002, Ashesi has established a reputation as a leader in undergraduate education in Africa, with an educational experience that fosters ethical leadership, an entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to solve complex problems. These qualities are what set Ashesi students and alumni apart. Across various industries today, Ashesi graduates are highly sought, and over 90% have stayed to work for progress in Africa.
At the heart of the Ashesi experience is our interdisciplinary core curriculum, and our campus culture. Ashesi students come from 24 countries across the globe to learn, live and innovate together; almost half are on scholarships, and 48% are women. On campus, these students join with faculty and Ashesi leadership on a shared mission to transform the African continent.
Mission
To educate ethical and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa; to cultivate in students, the critical thinking skills, concern for others and the courage it will take to transform our continent.
The Ashesi Way -- the principles that define us
- Scholarship
- Leadership
- Citizenship
- Private, non-profit
- 4-year undergraduate
- Began instruction: 4th March, 2002
- Student Honor Code Established: January 2008 (first in Africa)
- President: Patrick G. Awuah, Jr.
- 6 degree programs
- Interdisciplinary core curriculum
- 1064 alumni
- 870 students
- 22:1 student-faculty ratio
- 1 MacArthur Fellow
- 1 Fulbright Professor
- BSc Business Administration
- BSc Management Information Systems
- BSc Computer Science
- BSc Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- BSc Computer Engineering
- BSc Mechanical Engineering
Learning Goals that guide our curriculum
- Ethics and Civic Engagement
- Critical thinking and Quantitative Reasoning
- Communication
- Leadership and Teamwork
- Innovation and Action
- Curiosity and Skill
- Technological Competence
- Professionalism
Career placement
Enrolment (based on a September 2017 census)
- 870 students
- 48% women, 52% men
- 20% international
- 47% on scholarships
- Over 20 countries represented, including: Benin, Cameroon, Canada, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Student retention rate (historical average since inception)
- 70% graduation rate in four years
- 80% graduation rate after five years
Teams
- 34 full-time faculty
- 16 adjunct faculty
- 39 faculty interns
- 63 administrative staff
- 44% women on staff and faculty
- 40% women on the Executive Team
- 40% women on the Board of Directors
- Ashesi's first health centre was located in a remodeled garage
- 100% of Ashesi students take a course in computer programming
- Ashesi's engineering programme was launched by US Astronaut, Bobby Satcher; and His Excellency Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, Vice President of Ghana
Study Abroad and Academic Partners
- CIEE
- Coe College, Iowa
- College of Wooster, Ohio
- Connecticut College, Connecticut
- Dartmouth College, New Hampshire
- Goucher College, Maryland
- Macalester College, Minnesota
- Sciences Po, Paris, France
- Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania
- University of Angers, France
- University of Minnesota, Minnesota
- Wheaton College, Massachusetts
Campus
Set on a 100 stunning acres overlooking Ghana's capital city Accra, Ashesi's campus unites traditional African design, modern technology and a commitment to environmental sustainability to create an inspiring base for young Africans to live, collaborate and study.
Community of Trust
In keeping with our values of ethics and leadership, the university community agreed to adopt an Honour Code in 2008, that was voted into force by the student community. Under the Exam Honour Code, students take all their examinations without invigilators, taking on the responsibility to maintain honesty in exams. The code is a step towards sustaining the high-trust community that we continue to build, and puts students in charge of their own ethical posture.
Accreditation
- National Accreditation Board of Ghana
University Affiliations in Ghana
Memberships
- The Global Liberal Arts Alliance
- Association of African Universities
- Association of American Colleges and Universities
- Council of Independent Universities
Ashesi University s a private, not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution. It is sponsored by Ashesi University Foundation, a non-profit, publicly supported US corporation as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Ashesi University admits students of any race, colour, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, national and ethnic origin in admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs, nor in employment.
Neither Ashesi University nor Ashesi University Foundation have any political affiliations in Ghana or abroad. Ashesi will work with all interested parties in achieving its educational mission.