Strengthen ties with industry – Akufo-Addo urges universities

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has charged the various universities to strengthen ties with the industrial sector, the government and the communities in which they operate.

By doing so, he said they would be able to align their research and teaching with the needs of the society to contribute directly to the realisation of national development goals.

“It is very imperative for universities to remain active and engage in the development process of the country because they are the breeding grounds for the ideas, research and innovations that drive our nation’s progress.

“They are the institutions that train our agriculturalists, computer scientists and programmers, doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, political scientists and leaders,” he added.

President Akufo-Addo made the call at the inauguration of a multipurpose building for the University for Development Studies (UDS), Nyankpala Campus, yesterday.

Named the ‘Silver Jubilee Building’, the three-storey facility consists of lecture halls, offices, library, computer laboratory, conference halls, among others.

Constructed in fulfilment of a promise made by the President during the 25th anniversary celebration of UDS in 2018, the facility is expected to provide a conducive environment for students and faculty members to improve educational outcomes.

Shared vision

President Akufo-Addo said the building was not just a structure of brick and mortar, but it symbolised the shared vision for a brighter future and commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and development of the country.

“I vividly recall standing here in 2018 during the celebration of UDS’ 25th anniversary, my first time as President of the Republic. it was then that I made a pledge to support this university by providing a three-storey building complex.

“When I make a promise, it is essential that I follow through; this fulfilment is not just about the building but about upholding the trust you have placed in me and demonstrating that when I make a pledge, I keep it,” he said.

Quality education

Given the crucial role education contributed towards national development, President Akufo-Addo said the government was investing massively in it at all levels to ensure that every Ghanaian child, no matter their background or circumstance, had access to quality education.

He added that the government had spent huge resources on the education sector for the past years, as it recognised it as the most powerful tool to transform the nation, stating that, “Indeed, the considerable budgetary allocations within the period, totalling some GH¢12.8 billion, amply demonstrate the shared determination of the Akufo-Addo government to ensure that education becomes a catalyst around which the transformation of our nation revolves”.

Commitment

For his part, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, reiterated the government’s commitment towards promoting quality tertiary education in the country.

He said, “the Northern Region has responded more to the Free Senior High School intervention because about 90 per cent of the youth are moving to secondary schools, followed by the North East and Upper East regions”.

Gratitude

The Vice-Chancelor of UDS, Professor Seidu Al-Hassan, expressed gratitude to the President for the gesture and pledged to put the facility to good use.

He said the building would go a long way to provide a conducive environment for students to study and foster academic excellence.

He, however, appealed for the provision of potable drinking water, road network and completion of some projects in the school.