Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) in collaboration with Coventry University, UK organized the “International Conference on Education, Technology and Entrepreneurship (ICETE) 2017,” under the theme “Promoting Development through Technology, Entrepreneurship and Innovation.”
The two day event was from 12th -14th June, 2017 at Ghana Technology University College (GTUC) Main Campus, Tesano-Accra.
Education, Technology and Entrepreneurship plays a significant role in the Ghanaian economy. The ICETE was held to create a environment that will bring together like minded individuals and groups to share knowledge in the areas of Education, Technology & Entrepreneurship.
Being the first of what will be an annual event, the ICETE serves as a platform for further discussions in the areas of education, technology, and entrepreneurship as key components for the study of economic growth.
The Keynote Speaker for 2017 ICETE was Prof. Gideon Maas (Director, International Centre for Transformational Entrepreneurship, Coventry University, UK).
Other speakers for the conference included; Prof. Osei K. Darkwa (President, Ghana Technology University College) and Prof. Knud Erik Skouby (Director, Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies, Aalborg University-Copenhagen, Denmark). The ICETE 2017 was chaired by Prof. Francis Allotey.
Speaking as special guest of honour at the event the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) informed participants about the importance of Education, Technology and Entrepreneurship and its relation to national development. He said a developing country needs entrepreneurs who are competent to perceive new opportunities and are willing to incur the necessary risk in exploiting them. Prof. Frimpong- Boateng added that the whole world is becoming a village due to the industrial revolution and fast developing communication technology. He therefore advised participants to take advantage of the globalization of industry and commerce to bring vast change in various aspects of our lives.
The President, GTUC, Prof. Darkwa spoke to the theme for the ICETE 2017, “For a country like Ghana, it is an equally important conversation to have because all three subjects (Technology, Entrepreneurship and Education) are intrinsically connected to our development as a people and a nation”.
He said that ICETE is important because it bothers on our vision for what we expect universities to contribute to the development of our country and the African continent. Prof Darkwa explained that education provides knowledge, which becomes the key to wealth creation and alleviation of poverty.
He also said entrepreneurship is critical for the development of every economy, entrepreneurs must have vision, be able to market their ideas and an ability to embrace other viewpoints, this he said will help identify and create new opportunities for them.
Prof. Darkwa said technology is the most dramatic force shaping our lives and businesses and added that over the last decade, many developed nations and emerging countries have used technology to transform their economy.
He said technological revolution has brought about the use of information systems to alter our institutions in ways that are unprecedented in the history of humanity. The use of technology in various sectors including; education, health, agriculture, music, arts etc. will contribute enormously towards national development.
The conference was attended by people from diverse geographical locations who find themselves in Business, Entrepreneurship, Academia, Research, Industry, Governance, and other fields. The ICETE provided a friendly and nurturing environment where participants shared their research experiences with colleagues, interacted with accomplished professionals in various fields and also created a networking opportunity for long term professional and business relationships.
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Credit: Ghana Technology University College