Dr. Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff at the Presidency, has appealed for stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and government to accelerate innovation and national development. Speaking on the need for closer ties, Dr. Debrah emphasized that universities should be at the forefront of driving innovation and national development.
Stronger Collaboration Key to Accelerating Innovation
According to Dr. Debrah, universities should not just be invited to conferences, but should be the ones spearheading and bringing people to collaborate, especially in higher education matters. This call comes as Vice-Chancellors Ghana (VCG) seeks to build closer ties with stakeholders in the higher education terrain. VCG believes that if something is going on within the university space, such as funding of universities, promoting knowledge creation, and implementation of research outcomes, they should be at the forefront of driving these initiatives.
Strategic Partnerships for Capacity Building
Dr. Debrah's appeal is not new, as several strategic partnerships have already been established to support capacity building in higher education. The Building Stronger Universities (BSU) initiative, a consortium of Danish Universities and six African universities, two of which are public universities located in Ghana, provides a platform for capacity building in policy development and funding to support initiatives including digital education. Another example of knowledge and technical exchange prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic is a senior lecturer at a Ghanaian university who has been involved in a capacity building program.
Ghana's Higher Education System Transformed
Ghana's higher education system has undergone significant transformation from an elitist system to mass universal higher education. The system is focused on six policy objectives, including equitable access to quality tertiary education, research in national development priority areas, and effective regulation and management of tertiary education. According to the Ghanaian Universities Response to Global University Rankings, Ghana's higher education system has made significant strides in addressing issues such as access, quality, and relevance.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo Appointed Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, has been appointed as the Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network. This appointment is a testament to the growing recognition of Ghana's universities on the global stage. Professor Amfo's appointment comes at a time when universities are being called upon to play a more critical role in driving innovation and national development.
What Happens Next?
Dr. Debrah's appeal for stronger collaboration between universities, industry, and government is a call to action for all stakeholders involved in higher education. As Vice-Chancellors Ghana seeks to build closer ties with stakeholders, it is essential that universities, industry, and government work together to drive innovation and national development. The appointment of Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo as the Chair of the Worldwide Universities Network is a significant step towards recognizing the growing recognition of Ghana's universities on the global stage. As Ghana continues to transform its higher education system, it is essential that universities, industry, and government work together to drive innovation and national development.
Source: 3News
