Sunday, January 28, 2007
PRINCESS ANNE, MD – Kofi Awusabo-Asare, Ph.D., associate professor in geography at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, has been named the Richard A. Bernstein Visiting Professor for the 2006-07 academic year. His is a distinguished, endowed chair position that will enable him to complete specific publishable research projects as well as present lectures to students and faculty on select topics during his tenure.
“The campus is excellent and the people have been very friendly toward me,” said Awusabo-Asare. “I feel I am on track to accomplish my goals here, which include assisting UMES with promoting international education.”
Awusabo-Asare serves as principle investigator for two major studies. In conjunction with the Guttmacher Institute, he is researching how Ghanaian young people are dealing with sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. In a separate study, he is researching how Ghanaian households are dealing with health issues as they pertain to water quality. He plans to collaborate with UMES colleagues in conducting a study, in the United States, similar to the adolescent sexuality study he is now conducting in Ghana.
In addition, his goals include a series of talks to be held under the auspices of the UMES African and African American Studies program.
“Dr. Awusabo-Asare will speak on three different topics during the Bernstein Scholar Lunch Time Series on African Issues,” said Dr. Katherine Barrett-Gaines, director of the African and African American Studies program. “Beginning in February and continuing once a month throughout April, the campus community is invited to bring lunch and listen as Dr. Awusabo-Asare speaks on the changing African family, the issue of leadership in Africa and HIV and Aids in Africa.”
Established by entrepreneur and philanthropist Richard A. Bernstein, the Richard A. Bernstein Fund promotes excellence and encourages outstanding performance among UMES students and faculty. Bernstein has been credited with bringing the world of high technology to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
####
Suzanne Waters Street, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, sstreet@umes.edu.x
