H.E John Dramani Mahama writes…
After delivering my opening keynote at the Africa Singapore Business Forum on Tuesday, I visited the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to learn from their applied-learning model and strong university–industry partnerships.
SIT integrates work and study, collaborates closely with industry, and focuses on applied research that delivers business impact. Their new campus within the Punggol Digital District exemplifies how academia, industry and the community can be tightly integrated to prepare students for the future of work.
I also toured Biopolis, a premier biomedical research hub. Biopolis brings leading public and private institutions together across the full life-sciences R&D value chain, from basic discovery to clinical development and medical technology. It also showcases how coordinated public–private collaboration can drive innovation and economic growth.
Key takeaways for me were the need to deepen university–industry collaboration to make graduates more work-ready and future-ready. Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, then Minister for Education, initiated the process of understanding the needs of our institutions and industry, and this effort must be continued; the need to encourage applied learning, internships, and programmes tied to national priorities; strengthen public–private partnerships in life sciences and biotechnology; and focus research on solutions that create jobs and improve lives.
We are grateful to our hosts at SIT and Biopolis for the insightful exchanges. We look forward to building partnerships that will help accelerate Ghana’s progress in higher education, innovation and healthcare.
Enock Akonnor is an experienced Ghanaian journalist, based in Kumasi and currently serves as the CEO and Managing Editor of www.leakyghana.com.
With a wealth of expertise built over many years in the media industry, he has earned a solid reputation as one of Ghana’s most sought-after journalists.
Contact:
📞 +233 541 921 562
✉️ enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
