The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has underscored the need for greater interaction between the country’s tertiary institutions and industries as a measure to ensure rapid development.
“With ever increasing dependence of industries and businesses on human resources in a knowledge-based economy… universities need to forge relationships with industry and the business world, engaging them in mutually beneficial exchanges of ideas and solutions,” he said
He stressed on the need to give maximum attention to science and technology education arguing that it is “one of the main drivers behind productivity and a long-term lever for economic growth”.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu who is also the Chancelor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi made the call at the university’s 2015 Founders’ Day special congregation at the weekend.
A total of 2,072, including 49 PhD students graduated. The figure is the highest in the history of the university. Honorary degrees were conferred to seven persons who have over the years contributed immensely to the growth of society and the university.
Otumfuo said it was also imperative for the government to create an enabling environment necessary for the country’s corporate sectors to thrive.This, he believes, will encourage them to continue offering their support to higher educational institutions in the country, since the government alone cannot adequately fund higher education.
The Vice Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis said the university is embarking on a lot of infrastructural projects to meet the increasing number of students.
He added that, KNUST is doing everything possible to remain among the best science and technology universities across the globe.
Education Minister, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, said the government is prepared to collaborate with academic institutions, saying “the government is ready to collaborate with higher educational institutions because they will propose the solutions that are based on sound research in order to solve problems and meet the needs of the nation”.
She added it is the duty of the nation to develop the potential of its people in order that they can take part in the socio-economic development. “Universities exist to find solutions to problems and we know that out universities have the capacity to make it happen,” she added.
Meanwhile, Zoomlion Ghana limited and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were also conferred with corporate awards by the university for their contribution to the university and society.
The Managing Director of Zoomlion, Florence Larbi said the recognition will further push them harder to improve on their responsibility of making the nation a clean and better place.
