ABOUT US
May 23, 2025 2025-05-27 14:44ABOUT US

ABOUT ACITY
Academic City University (ACity) in Ghana is revolutionizing higher education in Africa with a strong emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and entrepreneurship education. Over the past six years, it has positioned itself as a premier institution in Ghana and Africa. Notably, ACity is the first in Africa to offer undergraduate programs in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Engineering, recognized by the Ministry of Education and industry leaders. Its state-of-the-art laboratories support cutting-edge research and project-based learning.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the university swiftly adopted a blended learning approach, ensuring educational continuity and prioritizing health and safety. Committed to excellence, ACity involves students in decision-making and supports their talents in various activities. Attracting top talent from the region, the university offers interdisciplinary programs and collaborates with employers to enhance education and professional experience.
With its Vision 2030 strategic plan, ACity aims to become a true academic city, making a significant impact on education and innovation in Africa.

Strategic Pillars and Goals
The strategic goals of the ACity Foundation serve as the roadmap to achieving our vision of educational excellence and empowerment for Africa’s youth. These objectives focus on expanding scholarship opportunities, developing a sustainable funding framework, and increasing outreach to underserved regions. Additionally, they emphasize enhancing professional development for educators, modernizing curriculum and infrastructure, and advocating for supportive educational policies. By establishing robust partnerships and fostering mentorship networks, our goals aim to create a thriving ecosystem that supports and nurtures young minds, preparing them to be the leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
Access to Education
Objective: To provide financial support for programs, scholarships, and research, ensuring that quality education is accessible to both need-based and merit-based students.
Increase Scholarship Awards
Aim to increase the number of scholarships awarded to 30% of total students enrolled within five years.
Expand Reach and Inclusivity
Launch targeted outreach programs to underrepresented regions and communities, increasing the enrolment of students from these areas by 30% within five years.
Establish a Sustainable Funding Model
Develop a diversified funding strategy that includes partnerships with corporations, philanthropic organizations, and individual donors to secure $10 million in new funding within three years.
Capacity Building
Objective: To enhance skills and knowledge through curriculum training and faculty development, empowering partners to deliver innovative STEAM education.
Professional Development Programs
Implement annual professional development programs for 100 educators, ensuring they receive up-to-date training in STEAM education methodologies.
Curriculum Enhancement
Partner with at least five world-renowned institutions to co-develop and update the curriculum, ensuring it incorporates the latest advancements in STEAM education and entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure Investment
Invest in state-of-the-art educational infrastructure, including laboratories and digital learning platforms, specifically for enhancing Academic City University over the next five years.
Advocacy and Strategic Partnerships
Objective: To champion policies for quality STEAM education and entrepreneurship, and to form strategic partnerships for a stronger impact.
Policy Advocacy
Develop and implement an advocacy plan to influence STEAM education policies at the national and regional levels, resulting in the adoption of at least three new supportive policies within five years.
Expand Strategic Partnerships
Establish strategic partnerships with 20 new organizations, including NGOs, government bodies, and private sector entities, to leverage resources and expertise for greater impact.
Mentorship and Networking
Create a mentorship and networking program that connects 200 students and educators with industry leaders, professionals, and funders each year, facilitating knowledge exchange and career development opportunities.
Board of Directors

Deepak Ahuja
President, Academic City University Foundation

Deepak Ahuja
President, Academic City University Foundation
MS, Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business
MS, Northwestern University

Prof. Daniel Wubah
President, Millersville University

Prof. Daniel Wubah
President, Millersville University
Dr. Daniel A. Wubah has been the president of Millersville University since July 2018. Prior to that he was the Provost at Washington and Lee University. His previous positions include deputy provost and vice president for undergraduate education at Virginia Tech; associate provost and professor of zoology at University of Florida; associate dean, professor of biology and special assistant to the president at James Madison University and associate professor and department chair at Towson University.
Within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Commission of Presidents and the presidential liaison to the Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Trustees (PACT). He has earned several honors including an honorary doctorate from the University of Cape Coast, a University of Georgia Groundbreaker article and featured in both the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal's Power 100 and City and State Higher Education Power 100 lists for four consecutive years (2020-2024).
Currently, he is a board member of several organizations including the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital and Landis Communities. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), chair the AASCU Committee on International Education and a member of the Executive Steering Committee of the AASCU Millennium Leadership Institute.
He is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the African Scientific Institute. He has testified before the U.S. Congress on how to prepare the science workforce for the 21st century. He was a member of a National Academy of Sciences panel that studied the scientific basis for estimating air emission from animal feeding operations. He was a trustee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) for two 3-year terms.
Dr. Wubah earned his B.Sc. with Honors in Botany and Dip. Ed. in Education from the
University of Cape Coast, Ghana. He earned M.S. in biology from the University of Akron, and Ph.D. in botany and microbiology from the University of Georgia. In addition, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the EPA research lab in Athens, GA.
In private life, Dr. Wubah is a chief (Toapentenhene) of Breman Asikuma Traditional area in the Central Region of Ghana. His royal name is Nana Ofosu Peko III. He and his wife, Judith, have two daughters and two grandchildren.

Sarah McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer, Global Livingston Institute

Sarah McCarthy
Chief Executive Officer, Global Livingston Institute
A globally minded strategist who has lived across four continents, Sarah McCarthy has two decades of international development experience and a profound commitment to social responsibility. Sarah’s work has been deeply rooted in Africa, including living in Rwanda, to understand and address the challenges faced by local communities in East Africa and across the continent. This extensive on-the-ground experience has fuelled Sarah’s passion for global impact and has been fundamental in establishing successful philanthropic organizations within Africa.
As CEO of the Global Livingston Institute, Sarah leads strategic, financial, and operational initiatives, driving mission success through fundraising, developing partnerships, and overseeing impactful programs. Sarah’s leadership ensures financial sustainability, effective donor stewardship, and strategic organizational growth.
At the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe, Bank of Kigali Rwanda, and Crystal Ventures Rwanda, Sarah spearheaded the design and launch of multimillion-dollar philanthropic foundations, establishing clear mission strategies focused on education, health, and community support. Sarah’s role with these large scale large institutions encompassed comprehensive planning from budget management to marketing, and was instrumental in staffing and governance.
Prior to this, Sarah worked for Project C.U.R.E. – the world’s leading supplier of medical equipment to developing communities – where she directed fundraising efforts, engaged with influential leaders and organized field expeditions to bolster healthcare access to those in need worldwide. Sarah’s stewardship included coordinating with international dignitaries and political figures, as well as nurturing the next generation of global leaders through mentorship programs.

Noga Schechter
Managing Director, North America, Silver Road Capital

Noga Schechter
Managing Director, North America, Silver Road Capital
Noga Schechter is the Managing Director for Silver Road Capital in the United States, where she specializes in expanding the firm’s global investor network and facilitating real asset opportunities and M&A activities within the country.
Originally from Israel and raised on a kibbutz, Noga brings a strong entrepreneurial spirit to her work. Her career spans a range of sectors, including corporate banking, the hotel industry, REITs, multifamily and industrial development, and healthcare. She has managed UHNW family offices and launched various business ventures for private investors, including operating a boutique fund of funds.
Noga has also dedicated over a decade to agricultural ventures in developing countries, focusing on strategy and capital formation. She previously managed the largest luxury car rental company in Europe, overseeing operations across 12 countries.
In the nonprofit arena, Noga has served as COO of Dinah Philly and has been a board member of Friends of Atid, Ltd., one of Israel’s largest education systems.

Henry Wang
Retired Vice President

Henry Wang
Retired Vice President
Henry is an accomplished technology professional specializing in developing and launching revolutionary technology and category defining products. Henry holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University and an MBA from Babson College. He has managed the definition, development, and manufacturing of a diverse mix of products in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, homebuilding 3D printers, and robotics.
Henry spent the majority of his career in Silicon Valley where he helped guide startups through hyper growth stages. He was at Apple during the release of the iPhone 4 and first generation iPad and Apple TV. Henry played a pivotal role at Tesla developing and launching the Model S, Model X, and foundational development of the Model 3. His experience extended internationally at electric vehicle startup NIO successfully launching the ES8 and ES6, its first electric vehicles. Mr. Wang last served as the Vice President of Product at Apptronik, a full stack robotics startup. In his role at Apptronik he was responsible for product definition & strategy of an advanced humanoid robot system.

Prof. Fred McBagonluri
Academic City University Representative (Ex-Officio/Non-Voting)

Prof. Fred McBagonluri
Academic City University Representative (Ex-Officio/Non-Voting)
PhD, University of Dayton
MBA, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management
*non-voting director
A dynamic, innovative, entrepreneurial, execution- and results-oriented senior business, technical and educational leader with over 20 years experience in Fortune 500 Specialty Medical Devices and equipment, Healthcare, world-class educational organizations. I was a program lead on Siemens Medical digital manufacturing revolution for almost 7yrs. Possess a rich mix of engineering, research/development, people leadership, market and business development and academic experience. Have 20 years of senior management experience leading global technical and cross functional organizations in Spain, Singapore, Germany and US. Holds 22 issued US patents. Finalist NASA Astronaut Candidate 2009 and 2008 NJBiz Innovator Hero.

Pawan Varyani
Varyani Family Representative (Ex-Officio/Non-Voting)
Impact Stories
At the Academic City University Foundation, our mission is brought to life through the stories of those we support. Each narrative reflects the profound impact of our commitment to empowering Africa’s future leaders, educators, and innovators. From students whose lives have been transformed by scholarships, to faculty members who have expanded their expertise through advanced training, and strategic partnerships that drive educational and societal progress—these stories are a testament to the real-world change that our foundation fosters. Through these experiences, we witness the tangible results of our philanthropic pillars, as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable future for all.
50+
Students have gained access to transformative learning experiences.
$2M
30+
Spotlight on Success

Faith Sobe Cyril
(Class ’24, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
Software Engineer at Apple, UK, in the prestigious Evolve program.

Faith Sobe Cyril
(Class ’24, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
Faith, raised by a single mother after his father’s passing, overcame financial hardships with a scholarship from ACity, earned through his exceptional performance in the Sharks Quiz and NSMQ. At ACity, he expanded his career horizons beyond medicine, excelling in the Robotics Club, STEM projects, and more. After an impactful internship with Amazon, Faith is now a Software Engineer at Apple, UK, participating in their prestigious Evolve program—a testament to the pivotal support and opportunities he received at ACity.

Abdul Hameed Oluwashegu Tade
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
Software Engineer at Turntabl, collaborating with Morgan Stanley.

Abdul Hameed Oluwashegu Tade
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
Software Engineer at Turntabl, a technology services company supporting the global financial services industry. Abdul specifically is working closely with Morgan Stanley.

Barnabas Mawukley Nomo & Andrewla Ama Adoma Takyi
(Class ’22)
Co-founders of Goliath Robotics, advancing accessibility with $80K Echoing Green grant.

Barnabas Mawukley Nomo & Andrewla Ama Adoma Takyi
(Class ’22)
Andrewla and Barnabas, co-founders of Goliath Robotics, first met as engineering students at ACity, where they collaborated on groundbreaking projects, including West Africa’s first locally manufactured ventilator. Their shared passion for innovation led to the creation of Goliath Robotics, now incubated at ACity’s campus. With the support of an $80K grant from Echoing Green, they are advancing their first product, smart electronic controllers for wheelchairs, with numerous other innovative solutions in the pipeline, all aimed at enhancing accessibility and improving lives.

Harriet Fiagbor
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
AI Engineer at Really Great Tech, aspiring to establish her own AI company in Africa.

Harriet Fiagbor
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Computer Engineering)
Harriet, who comes from a humble background supported by her mother’s market sales, is now an AI Engineer at Really Great Tech (RGT). She gained invaluable experience at minoHealth AI Labs during her National Service and aspires to further her expertise through graduate studies. With a vision to lead in AI innovation, Harriet aims to establish her own AI-focused company in Africa.

Elizabeth Fio
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering)
MS student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, USA, Alden Scholarship recipient.

Elizabeth Fio
(Class ’22, B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering)
Elizabeth Fio, the valedictorian of the Class of ’22, is now advancing her impact by pursuing an MS in Science & Technology for Innovation in Global Development at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), USA, where she is also a proud recipient of the prestigious Alden Scholarship.

Louisa Ayamga
(Class ’24, B.Sc. Electrical & Electronics Engineering)
ELAI Scholar at Black in AI, breaking barriers in AI research.

Louisa Ayamga
(Class ’24, B.Sc. Electrical & Electronics Engineering)
Louisa, who overcame significant barriers as a girl growing up in Northern Ghana, is now an ELAI Scholar at Black in AI. After earning a fully funded Presidential Scholarship at ACity, she became the first female president of the Robotics Club and earned accolades such as the 'Best Female in STEM Award'. Her journey from ACity to becoming a leading figure in AI research reflects her determination to break societal constraints and her commitment to innovation in engineering.
Empowering Educators
Academic City equips faculty and staff with transformative opportunities to enhance teaching and innovation.
- Pursuing PhDs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA) and University of Ghana
- Earning certifications like MIT’s Professional Certificate in Digital Transformation.
- Engaging in global collaborations at Vienna University, Olin College of Engineering (USA), and Fontys University (Netherlands). Through programs like the Development Engineering Conference with WPI, USA, and annual STEAM teacher training, we inspire innovation and entrepreneurial education across Africa.
Empowering Educators
Academic City equips faculty and staff with transformative opportunities to enhance teaching and innovation.
- Coalition of Climate Entrepreneurs (CCE) Hub: Partnered with the US State Department and Arm to launch the ACity Sustainability Lab, advancing climate innovation.
- MakeLab ACity – Accra: In collaboration with the Embassy of Israel and MakeLab, this open-access prototyping center empowers youth entrepreneurship.
- The Bioinnovation Center: Partnered with Northeastern University, this center designs affordable, locally tailored medical technologies to improve healthcare delivery in West Africa