Seattle, WA— September 23, 2013 – Ashesi University Foundation has received a $75,000 gift from the IDP Foundation, Inc. to support Ashesi in Ghana.
The IDP Foundation’s gift will help fund the construction of Ashesi’s main engineering building, which will house the electrical, science and computer labs as well as three classrooms and faculty offices. Ashesi’s new engineering major will build on the University’s core curriculum by adding a powerful, complimentary skill-set to foster growth in Africa. By emphasizing design, problem solving and entrepreneurship, Ashesi engineering will equip students with the skills to create new, affordable products and the hands-on experience to implement better designed infrastructure that meets local needs.
“I am a great admirer of Patrick Awuah’s vision for Ashesi University College, and his commitment to concentrate on teaching creative and critical thinking that will lead to the development of strong leadership qualities. This will be of great future benefit to Ghana,” said Irene Pritzker, President of the IDP Foundation, Inc. “The IDP Foundation is particularly pleased to support the capital campaign to establish a new engineering major.”
About the IDP Foundation Inc.
The IDP Foundation, Inc. was established as a private grantmaking non-profit institution in 2008 with the mission of mobilizing resources and strategic support to increase educational opportunities. In September 2009, the IDP Foundation, Inc., in partnership with microfinance institution, Sinapi Aba Trust, commenced the IDP Rising Schools Program pilot in Ghana. The program was developed in response to the clear market demand for an intervention to address the needs of the existing rapidly growing low-cost private school sector. After three years of demonstrated success, the pilot has transformed into a fully-developed program ready for expansion throughout Ghana. The Rising Schools Program is based on a sustainable microfinance model that provides school proprietors with extensive training in financial literacy and school management. Carefully designed loan products are then provided to meet their specific needs. The IDP Rising Schools Program invests in communities through assisting existing schools not well reached by the public education system.
About Ashesi
Ashesi University College is a 4-year non-profit university in Ghana that educates a new generation of ethical, innovative, and entrepreneurial leaders in Africa. Ashesi’s pioneering curriculum combines a rigorous liberal arts core designed to foster ethics and critical thinking with in-depth, world-class majors in business, computer science and management information systems.
The Ashesi University Foundation is a US non-profit designed to raise support and awareness for Ashesi University.