The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to renew its long-lasting partnership with the University.
The AGI is a non-profit voluntary business association with members ranging from large to medium to small companies, operating in the industrial sectors of Ghana.
The MoU is to facilitate the establishment of formal practical training programmes for KNUST students at AGI membership establishments; assist KNUST to raise funds and other resources for the execution of specific projects of mutual interest in the colleges of the University. The MoU will also facilitate the identification of problems from its members and bring these problems to the attention of KNUST to inform research in KNUST.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs) Rita Akosua Dickson in her remarks said that the University is keen on making innovative and impactful research that affects the society at large, hence the need for the AGI-KNUST collaboration.
She hoped that the collaboration would facilitate a bi-annual encounter where the impact of research on industries, suggestions on curriculum development, and students’ industrial-training are discussed to ensure that students do not only become employable but employers. She also urged AGI to continue to support and contribute towards developing KNUST.
The Chairperson of AGI for Ashanti Region, Mrs. Afua Gyamfua Owusu-Akyaw recalled that the partnership with KNUST dates back to 2007. She noted that given the continual changes in the world, it has become important to periodically re-engage with Academia to ensure that Industry offers practical support training for students.
She also emphasized that for industry to grow, there should be a practical-technical development, hence the need to strengthen the existing collaboration between both Institutions.
Mr. Kwasi Nyamekye, the Vice-Chairman of AGI assured that the AGI would support KNUST to make practicable what is being researched at the University. The collaboration is geared to inspire the ‘can-do spirit’ in students to take up practical challenges that require expatriates’ knowledge, he said.
He was hopeful that signing the MoU would help avail companies to KNUST for internships and practical training. He also called on lecturers at the University to engage AGI members and help them address some technical challenges.
The Memorandum of Understanding is for a period of five years and it is subject to renewal. Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson and Mrs. Afua Gyamfua-Akyaw signed for KNUST and AGI respectively.