Distance Degree Success For Ghana's First Ultrasound Lecturer
17 January 2013
Yaw Wiafe (centre of image in white checked shirt), who has become Ghana's first ultrasound lecturer
I am now teaching ultrasound at undergraduate level in the first ever accredited Bachelor's degree programme in Sonography in West Africa. I must thank my lecturers at Derby for their support throughout.
”Yaw Amo Wiafe
A University of Derby graduate has become the first university lecturer in his subject in his home country of Ghana after completing a Masters degree in Advanced Practice of Medical Ultrasound through distance learning.
Yaw Amo Wiafe, 34, from Kumasi in Ghana officially graduates following the University's annual Awards Ceremonies on January 17 (2013), although was not present at the ceremony.
By achieving this academic qualification Yaw has become one of very few highly qualified ultrasound professionals in the Ghanaian Health Service, and the country's first ever Ghanaian ultrasound lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)'s College of Health Sciences.
Yaw said: "Prior to my admission to the University of Derby I was a practicing sonographer, but I wanted to become even more qualified and
deliver the best care possible in my country, and teach others how to do so.
"It has always been my dream to access UK education. Ghana was once a British colony and we have so much regard for the quality of UK education, so it was a dream come true when Derby offered me the admission.
"I am now teaching ultrasound at undergraduate level in the first ever accredited Bachelor's degree programme in Sonography in West Africa. I must thank my lecturers at Derby for their support throughout.
"Studying all the way from Africa was challenging at times but my supervisor was contactable by phone and email whenever I needed tutorials. She was very helpful."
Heather Venables, Senior Lecturer and Ultrasound Award Leader at the University of Derby, said: "We have been delighted to support Yaw as he has worked to gain this qualification and I have been tremendously impressed by his determination and enthusiasm.
"We are all so proud of his achievement, and we know that Yaw will make a significant difference to promotion of high standards of ultrasound practice in Ghana."
For more information on postgraduate study at the University of Derby visit www.derby.ac.uk/postgraduate
