ATU’s CEO Lecture forges closer ties with industry

By Christabel Oboshie ANNAN, Accra

Accra Technical University has advocated for universities to be brought closer to industry through its second Chief Executive Officer’s lecture series in Accra.

According to the university, this will help students to acquire relevant skills and knowledge that will improve their employability and readiness for the job market.

The University made this call at second CEO lecture, which provided a platform for students and faculty to connect with industry leaders, to foster relationships that can lead to internships, job placements, and collaborations.

The lecture was held under the theme “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem”.

Director of CSIR-Instituite of Industrial Research, Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, called on universities to facilitate the honing of innovative ideas that are rarely taught in the classrooms.

He said that there is a rapid evolution in the demands of the job market and it behooves the universities to prepare and empower students to meet these demands.

He called for a reorientation of mindset towards innovation and entrepreneurship.

According to him, a shift from learning for memory to creativity, innovation and problem solving skills is the most effective way of producing useful products for the job market.

When asked about the issue of unemployment that has been the bane of the youth of the country, he attributed the fundamental lapses in Ghana’s educational system that have inadvertently unfavoured creativity, and entrepreneurial skills and rather focused on being employed.

He mentioned basic appreciation of colour, distance and direction as a case in point of why Ghana’s education leaves a lot to be desired.

He called for bringing universities closer to industry, stating that students at the university started most of the ideas and innovations seen around today.

“As such, there is the need for a collaborative effort between universities and Industry in empowering students to embark on innovative research that will transform the industry,” he stressed.

He mentioned that this was the primary goal of the country’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in establishing the CSIR.

“This vision is still being fulfilled today as the institute engages in groundbreaking research and fosters innovations based on its research outcomes,” he added.

Executive Chairman of Celltel Networks Ltd, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson, during the discussions also cautioned the over reliance on government in matters related to innovation and entrepreneurship.

He mentioned that the universities have the power lead by providing a viable environment for students to realise their problem solving and entrepreneurial potentials.

According to him,  everybody has a role to play and there is no limit to what one can do with their ideas when giving the opportunity and empowerment.

He called for equity in innovation stating that nobody should be left out in a world that is dictated by “smart technologies”.

” if you put down your degree, the next question is what other skills do you have? ” he said.

Responding to the questions on the role of Technical Universities imbibing innovation in its students, Director of CSIR-Instituite of Industrial Research,  Dr. Agyenim admonished Technical Universities not to copy the “classical Universities “. 

He charged Technical Universities to be different in the way they do things emphasizing bridging the gap between theory and practice.

He recommended more scholarships to students pursuing STEM course to support and realise their innovative ideas.

He also added that Technical Universities should set up innovative hubs that will potentially encourage creativity and innovative solutions to everyday problems.

The Director of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Engr. Antwi Bosiako expressed his excitement about the programme and suggested the programme should be organised at a national level to have major stakeholders benefit from the wealth of knowledge shared.

He reiterated the importance of TVET education as a solution to unemployment and advised that it is incorporated at the basic level of our education so that we will end up producing students who can rely on their skills for creating jobs and the  government  for jobs.

Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor, Amevi Acakpovi spelt out the vision of the University’s lecture series.

According to him, the forum is to nurture an environment where education meets industry. 

He reiterated the Universities’ effort to distinguish itself as the Premier Technical University through its research and innovation project. He encourage more partnerships with Industry to fully realise this and strive for more laurels as the fourth best University in Ghana.