Accra Technical University (ATU) as part of the activities to celebrate its 75 years’ anniversary has organized the 2nd Chief Executive Officers(CEOs) lecture series held under the theme, ” Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem,” at the British Council in Accra.
Speakers at the programme were Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, Director of Council for Scientific and industrial Research (CSIR) – Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR) and another distinguish speaker, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson, Executive Chairman of Celltel Networks Limited a subsidiary of Kludjeson International Limited, and a renowned Ghanaian business magnate
and industrialist.
In a panel discussion, the speakers called for a concerted effort by Technical Universities across the country to set up innovation hubs as part of the drive to harness technical and innovative potential in students and also allow students to make inputs in today’s smart and digital education.
The panelists however urged technical universities to engage students on periodic training as a measure to build capacities with industry players to enhance skilled workforce in the World of Works (WoWs) for job creation and entrepreneurship.
” Power point presentations must also be occasionally be organized for students to enable them become abreast with the emerging trends in the entrepreneurial and technical space and explained that the gesture will help add value to the knowledge of students primarily at the soft skills levels”, they advocated
They were of the view that expansion of infrastructure be prioritied to accommodate the increasing enrollment of students to support and correspond with teaching and learning.
In an address, Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, urged management of ATU to bridge the gap between the University and industry by signing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to allow students to engage in practical internship as part of their preparations towards entrepreneurship and skills sets as well as hands on trade for the job market.
According to him, acquiring a certificate in academia is significant but much emphasis must be place on skills and experience which is key to job employment.
For his part, Dr. Prince Kofi Kludjeson urged students to be innovative and demonstrate their talents in every working endeavor and advise them to patent their products to enable them take full control of their products.
In his closing remarks, Ag. Vice -Chancellor of ATU, Prof. Amevi Acakpovi said the university have made significant progress in all working and academic endeavor and thanked industries for training and building capacities of students.
Report by Ben LARYEA
