The University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), Somanya, Eastern Region, has partnered with Maleka Farms Limited, based at Kadjena, Akuse, to establish a scholarship scheme to support the education and professional development of aquaculture students. Known as the Maleka Excellence Scholarship for Aquaculture Students (MESAS), the initiative is the result of collaboration between UESD’s Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management and Maleka Farms Limited.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony held at the Auditorium, Multipurpose Building, UESD. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, students, and some representatives of the farm.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Eric Nyarko-Sampson, signed the MoU on behalf of the University, while Mr. Mark Aboujaoude, Director of Operations at Maleka Farms, signed on behalf of the Managing Director, Mr. Roger Aboujaoude.
Prof. Nyarko-Sampson described the scholarship as an important opportunity to ease students’ financial burden. He encouraged beneficiaries to work hard and maintain the academic standards required to retain the scholarship. He reaffirmed UESD’s commitment to preparing students for the world of work by equipping them with the skills to become self-reliant, create jobs, and contribute meaningfully to society. He expressed the University’s ambition to develop UESD into a centre of excellence for aquaculture studies and urged students to take full advantage of the opportunities provided by the partnership.
For his part, Mr. Aboujaoude emphasised the role of agriculture, technology, research and innovation in addressing Ghana’s food security and employment challenges. He reaffirmed Maleka Farms’ commitment to providing students and researchers with opportunities for practical experience, research and innovation. He identified fish breeding, feed development, water quality management, disease prevention and sustainable fish production as key areas for potential research and collaboration. He also noted that aquaculture offered opportunities for entrepreneurship and job creation across the value chain, including hatcheries, fish farming, processing, storage, marketing and transportation
Outlining the scholarship criteria, the Dean of the School of Sustainable Development (SSD), Prof. Anthony Amoah, said MESAS was designed to support academically outstanding students facing financial difficulties while strengthening collaboration between UESD and Ghana’s aquaculture industry.
He explained that the scholarship would cover approved academic facility user fees for eligible Ghanaian students in Levels 100, 200 and 300 of the Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management. Applicants would be required to demonstrate strong academic performance, financial need, good character and a genuine interest in aquaculture.
Beyond financial support, Prof. Amoah said beneficiaries would have opportunities for internships, practical training and mentorship at Maleka Farms Limited. The scholarship is scheduled to commence in the 2026/27 academic year, with initial funding planned for five years, subject to periodic review and the availability of resources.
The Head of the Department of Water Resources and Aquaculture Management, Prof. Gibrilla Abbas, said, the scholarship reflects UESD’s commitment to its “gown-to-town” policy, which seeks to translate the University’s academic and research activities into tangible benefits for surrounding communities. He expressed appreciation to Maleka Farms for investing in the development of future aquaculture professionals and emphasised the importance of university–industry partnerships in addressing development challenges.
