UNIVERSITY OF GHANA SIGNS MOU WITH GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP NETWORK-GHANA

The University of Ghana through its Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Global Entrepreneurship Network, Ghana (GENG) which is aimed at identifying opportunities in entrepreneurship, mentorship, product development, innovation and facilitating access to markets. The MoU had been signed by Prof Francis Dodoo, Pro-Vice Chancellor on the part of UG and Mr. Stephen William Gyasi-Kwaw, Country Founder and Managing Director for GENG. The event took place at the University of Ghana on Monday, 10^th August, 2020. GENG is a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Network which operates in over 160 countries. It is a social enterprise company that promotes entrepreneurial development programmes aimed at harnessing young people to initiate and scale up sustainable businesses.

Mr. Gyasi-Kwaw (left) and Prof. Nkansah (right) exchanging the MOU

During the MoU exchange ceremony, the Director of the Institute of Applied Science and Technology, Prof. George Oduro Nkansah on behalf of the University gave a background to the collaboration. He indicated that the rationale behind the MoU was for both parties to partner and build the entrepreneurial and innovative capacity of students. Prof Nkansah stated that the Institute was established at the University of Ghana with a mandate to bridge the gap between academia and industry. He was thus elated with the partnership because it would build the capacity of students by increasing their entrepreneurship zeal to identify and harness innovations that are ready for development. Prof. Nkansah expressed the University’s willingness to support the initiative in every way possible.

The Country Founder and Managing Director of GENG, Mr. Gyasi-Kwaw, expressed his profound gratitude to the University for its diverse support in making the partnership a reality. He was of the view that the collaboration served as a milestone for GENG as it partners the premier University to engage its students and alumni. He stated that GENG has become the first among its members in the over 160 countries to achieve such a collaborative feat. He added that the international membership, especially the Global President was delighted at this engagement and was ready to offer the needed support and resources. He stated that it was worth celebrating this landmark initiative which will position the University of Ghana as an entrepreneurial University that produces the next generation entrepreneurs and innovators.

A picture taken during the event

The Dean of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS), Prof. Justice Bawole, expressed his excitement at this partnership which will strengthen the relationship between the Business School and GENG. He reiterated the readiness of the UGBS to put in place the needed structures to accelerate and sustain the partnership. He added that globally, universities are looking at revising the curricula of both postgraduate and undergraduate programmes to include entrepreneurship and work ethics. Dr. George Acheampong, a lecturer at the UGBS stated that once the framework had been agreed, their team was ready to start work with the assurance that they would churn out the next wealth creators and innovators from the University.

Others present at the ceremony included Mr. Kamil Napong, an associate of GENG, who expressed his excitement at the collaboration and looked forward to the commencement of activities. The ceremony was facilitated by Dr Henry Ofosuhene Sintim, Research Fellow and Mrs. Rodarling Neequaye, Assistant Registrar, both of IAST

The MOU was submitted by Prof. Nkansah on behalf of the University to Mr. Gyasi-Kwaw, Managing Director of GENG. Participants from the Business School joined the ceremony via a virtual platform.

A group picture of participants after the ceremony