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Ashesi University

With the support of numerous faculty, administrators and fellow graduates from Berkeley, Ashesi University has grown from a concept to a thriving reality since we graduated in 1999. Patrick moved to Ghana last summer to more closely manage the university, but travels to the US regularly to engage with critical fundraising and strategic issues. Nina remains in Seattle to focus on fundraising and program development. Here is a brief update on Ashesi’s progress to date.

1998	May-Jun 1998 Feasibility study for a new university in Ghana is conducted by Berkeley MBAs.
	Fall 1998 - Spring 1999 Ashesi business plan is developed with input from professors at Berkeley's Haas School of Business.
1999	Aug 1999 Ashesi University Foundation is established in Seattle, WA as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
	1999 - 2000 Academic curriculum is designed in partnership with Academic Advisory Councils at UC Berkeley, University of Washington, and Swarthmore College.
2000	Mar 2000 Fundraising milestone: $1 million in contributions.
	Jun 2000 Ashesi University Foundation registers and opens office in Accra, Ghana.
	Oct 2000 Ashesi leases property in Accra and establishes campus.
	Dec 2000 Ashesi purchases land in Berekuso, in the hills north of Accra, for future residential campus.
2001	Apr 2001 Architectural design development completed for future residential campus.
	Oct 2001 Ashesi University receives accreditation from the National Accreditation Board of Ghana.
	Oct 2001 Fundraising milestone: $2 million in contributions.
2002	March 2002 First academic year starts at Ashesi University on March 4th, with 31 students.
	2002 First faculty exchanges begin: Ashesi faculty goes to Swarthmore College for professional development; visiting faculty from US and UK teach at Ashesi.
	Summer 2002 First round of external examiner reviews indicates Ashesi's instruction and student work meet standards at highly selective US undergraduate institutions.
2003	Mar 2003 Second academic year starts with 44 freshmen.
	2003 Campus expansion continues to meet the needs of Ashesi's growing student enrollment.
	Mar 2003 First full-time faculty hired in degree programs.
	Jun 2003 Fundraising milestone: $3 million in contributions.
	Fall 2003 Ashesi receives international media coverage: BBC, LA Times, Seattle Times, Ghanaian news television.
	Nov 2003 Student recruiting extends to other African countries.
2004	Jan 2004 Pilot program starts in continuing education for Information Technology professionals.

What’s Next

Maintaining the momentum that has brought us this far, we are now looking forward to three main areas of growth.

1. Expansion of academic programs

Ashesi currently offers bachelors’ degrees in business administration and computer science. We are evaluating the feasibility of adding degree programs in economics and biology (which would also meet pre-med requirements), both in terms of market demand and possible funding sources to cover program development and startup expenses.

2. Establishing scholarship funds

Ashesi currently grants financial aid valued at over $125,000 each academic year, offering assistance to over 55% of our student population. We are now creating scholarship funds that will be set aside specifically for qualified applicants with financial needs.

3. Building the permanent campus

We will be kicking off a capital campaign to raise $8.5 million for construction of our permanent campus, on land that we purchased in the beautiful, hilly region just north of Accra. The first phase of construction will create a residential campus including two major academic complexes, two dormitory complexes, and housing for visiting faculty.