The Business School of Wisconsin International University College Ghana, has developed an entrepreneurship and innovation training initiative to equip students with relevant skills and bridge the gap between academia and industry
The programme, which brought together over 300 people from both industry and academia, is part of activities outlined to mark the maiden edition of the faculty’s entrepreneurship week celebration.
Dean of the Business School, Dr. Bright Mawudor, mentioned that with the increased demand for graduates that are industry ready and entrepreneurially inclined, the initiative seeks to provide the students with an opportunity to interact and dialogue with captains of industries and at the same time showcase their entrepreneurial and innovative ideas for fine-tuning.
He stated that globally, the some of the wealthy people today are innovators and entrepreneurs, not salary workers or state employed individuals, hence the essence of diversifying academic curriculum to also prepare students in that direction.
He said entrepreneurship and innovation have proven to be critical tools for national development throughout the world.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Kofi Ofosu Nkansah, speaking on the seminar’s theme: “The role of business schools and industry in developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators”, highlighted that such an initiative has the potential to enhance the capabilities of students as they are prepared for the job market after school.
“The need for strong collaboration between academia and industry to help create an enabling environment that will address the challenges facing industries and inspire economic growth, cannot be overemphasized. The growth of the economy would enhance sustainable industrial growth which will transcend into job creation and bring prosperity,” he said.
He made a clarion call for every university in the country to have an entrepreneurial innovation hub to serve as a platform for young innovators to be nurtured for the country and be the next icons of the world of innovation.
Managing Director of JS Morlu Ghana Limited, Bernard Bempong, taking his turn, touched on the need for entrepreneurs to view corporate governance as a key tool they could use to enhance their businesses.
He said it does not matter how small an organization is, it needs to start with good governance structures from start as that will support and enhance its ability to grow to become a big multinational.
Wisconsin Entrepreneurship Incubation Hub
President of Wisconsin, Prof. Obeng Mireku, in his address mentioned that plans are in place to establish an entrepreneurship incubation centre on campus to nurture and grow the innovative ideas of the youth to create job opportunities in the country.
“The Wisconsin Business School Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre, when official opened will aim at providing technical support and capacity building programmes amongst others to shape the ideas of young entrepreneurs to build successful startups.
“I wish to commend the government for all the initiatives geared towards promoting entrepreneurship in the country. We as an institution are prepared to partner with the government in this direction,” he said.
He added that the college was prepared to partner the government towards promoting entrepreneurship in the country going forward.
Attaining learning excellence
Prof Mireku stated that the most important function of institutions for higher learning was to churn out professional graduates who could suitably position themselves in the job market with the dual purpose of contributing to the economies of their country and also enhance their livelihoods.
He said this has been one of the key aspirations of Wisconsin since its establishment about 20 years ago.
“Although a private Ghanaian institution with affiliation to renowned academic institutions, Wisconsin is on the path of attaining learning excellence. We have over the years produced graduates that are fit for purpose, also innovative, relevant and prepared for the demand of the job market in the 21st century,” he added.
