By Kingsley Webora TANKEH
Kuri Motors, an indigenous automotive engineering company, and Accra Technical University (ATU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at closing the gap between classroom theory and the practical demands of the modern vehicle workshop.
The partnership will provide students in the Mechanical Engineering Department of ATU with industrial experience in engine refurbishing, advanced vehicle diagnostics and emerging electric vehicle (EV) technologies.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the founder of Kuri Motors, Junaid Limann, said the collaboration aims to move Ghana from only consuming automotive technology to building, repairing and innovating its own mobility solutions.
“Today, we are closing the gap between what students learn in class and what the automobile industry actually needs on the workshop floor. This MoU is more than a document. It is the beginning of a practical collaboration that connects education directly to real Automotive Engineering and industrial experience,” Mr. Limann said.
He explained that the partnership will deliver three solutions to ATU: professional engine refurbishing, advanced vehicle diagnostic and fault detection using modern tools; and hands-on automotive technical training designed to ensure students graduate with practical work experience.
He noted that Kuri Motors aims to integrate TrueShop digital platform. The platform which is powered by TrueHide Technologies, according to him, will allow students to observe how digital tools are used to track engine diagnostics, manage genuine parts replacement and coordinate towing services.
“This combination of engineering and technology is the future of the automotive industry,” Mr. Limann noted, adding that students will gain knowledge in engine remanufacturing, modern automotive technologies, and will have access to internship and industrial project opportunities.
With global automotive markets shifting toward EVs, Mr. Limann stressed that Ghanaian students and technicians must be equipped to handle electric vehicles, battery systems and other sustainable transport technologies to remain relevant.
He, therefore, noted Kuri Motors, under the partnership, is committing to support EV servicing and technical training.
The Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, reinforced this view, describing the move toward e-mobility as “unprecedented” and warning that existing technicians risk being outmoded without retraining.
“Charging stations are being built here, maintenance requirements are coming; and this will outsmart our existing technicians who have not been trained to repair this type of vehicle,” Prof. Acakpovi said. “We need either to retrain them or bring a new type of technician who can fit the job. This collaboration will open avenue for people to get jobs and, therefore, tap seriously into sustainability.”
The Vice-Chancellor noted that the partnership aligns with Ghana’s industrial transformation agenda; Sustainable Development Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure; and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
According to him, it also supports African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision to build a technologically advanced and industrially driven continent by the year 2063.
Prof. Acakpovi called for deeper collaboration to conduct joint research, develop curriculum – particularly introducing e-mobility content – and design technical certification programmes. He disclosed that ATU had previously used a Skills Development Fund grant to train auto technicians in modern diagnostic tool usage across several centres, stressing these kinds of training boost the confidence of local repairers. He, therefore, called for a national roll-out.
“If you are really in the automotive industry, this is an opportunity to learn the new trends of things,” he said.
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