Report by Ben LARYEA
Accra Technical University (ATU) as part of the activities to celebrate its 75
years’ anniversary has organized the 2 nd 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.
