They have been advised that academia’s role of identifying problems and researching into them coupled with industry’s sincere readiness for collaboration is a sure way of realising national economic security.

The admonition was offered yesterday [Tuesday] by the Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) at the University of Cape Coast, Prof. Samuel Kobena Annim, at the launch of the Industry and Innovation Unit of the University.

The newly-launched Industry and Innovation Unit (IIU), which is a branch of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy, is to create an enabling multi-disciplinary platform for research to be directly linked to industry.

Explaining the unfavourable relationship that currently exists between industry players and academia, Prof. Kobena Annim said, “In terms of sharing knowledge, we are so much engrossed in keeping knowledge to ourselves to the point that it is no more relevant.”

He further lamented, “For us as academics, we rush to publish our papers, and for industry players, they would want to go through series of processes to ensure that whatever is coming out would ensure a healthy and stable industry.”

In his view, there is a need for both parties to ensure a healthy balance that will create a win-win situation, adding that Ghana’s lack of a clearly established research fund portends weaknesses in the nation’s quest for economic progress.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, on his part, outlined that the IIU will, among other functions, seek “to showcase research output of staff of the University and to develop mechanisms for tracking and measuring outcomes and impact of the University’s engagement with industry, social laboratories and policymakers”.

Some industry players present at the event reiterated the need for a firm pact between the two bodies while they asked that academia must point industry to profitable ventures based on research.

They added that academia should keenly monitor the implementation of its research findings used by industry.

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By: Joseph Ackon-Mensah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The panelists said such a collaboration will enable universities get funding from industry, whereas industry gets the needed research from universities.

They expressed the hope that a strong collaboration between industry and universities, will also help prepare graduates adequately with the requisite skills for employment by industry.

The panelists included Professor Nicholas N. N. Nsowah-Nuamah, President, Regent University College of Science and Technology; Dr Eva Esther Shalin, the Associate Dean, Students Affairs and Collaboration, BlueCrest University College (GH) Limited; Mr Rizwan Ahmad, the Director, IPMC; and Mrs Eva Hazel, the Director of Tertiary Education, Ministry of Education.

The panel discussion forms part of the AAU week celebration on the theme “AAU@50: Achievements and Prospects for Sustainable Development in Africa”.

It was attended by participants from the Regent University College of Science and Technology, Bluecrest University College, University of Energy and Natural Resources and Koforidua Technical University.

Others are University of Professional Studies, Accra, Knutsford University College, IMPC, Accra Institute of Technology, Ghana Institute of Journalism, Anglican University College of Technology and Wisconsin International University College.

Prof Nsowah-Nuamah said in designing the syllabus for various schools, there is the need for universities to find out from industries whether the programmes they intend to run are in line with their needs.

He said in addition, the inputs of other stakeholders should be sought before the new programmes take off.

He urged the Government to come out with a new policy that would make industrial attachment compulsory for all tertiary education students; stating that at the moment, it was only the Technical Universities and the Polytechnics which were implementing such a policy.

Dr. Shalin urged industries to open their doors to the universities; adding that universities must be innovative and proactive.

She advised students to have mentors and be mindful that research was about global networking.

Mr. Ahmad called for a holistic approach in addressing the needs of education and industry.

Mrs. Hazel said the Ministry of Education was developing a new policy that would ensure that the syllabi of educational institutions, right from the kindergarten to the tertiary level, are related to industry.

She said the syllabi of educational institutions would be structured in such way that it would give people employable skills.

She said the Ministry would be coming out with a new policy to ensure that students actually benefit from industrial attachments.

Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, the Secretary-General of the AAU, reiterated the AAU’s commitment to partner with the right institutions in improving the quality of higher education in Africa, as demanded by its mandate.

“The AUU is further playing a key role in promoting and sustaining best practices across higher education institutions on the continent,” he said.

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Source: GNA

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According to him, government is dedicated to developing businesses and making the business environment competitive, by making sure there is adequate information on various businesses.

Speaking at the opening of the 2017 executive doctoral research conference on the theme applying evidence-based research to effective management in Accra, Mr. Ibrahim said government believes academia is a strong back bone to businesses.

“Government cannot take decisions on whims, but any decision must be based on evidence, therefore we think academia collaborating with industry and businesses would give them the fact and figures.”

He said SMEs face lots of problems, and some of these problems are lack of credible information that would help them grow, adding that the business development ministry is working towards assisting them.

Founding President and Executive Dean of Nobel International Business School (NIBS), Prof. Kwaku Atuahene Gima, stated that lack of evidence is one major factor hampering gains being made by the contemporary managers.

He said “the starting point for evidence based management is that management decision should be based on a combination of critical thinking, and the best available evidence. And by evidence, we mean information, facts or data supporting a claim assumption or hypothesis. Evidence may come from scientific research, but internal business information and even professional experience can count as evidence.”

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By: Philip Nii Lartey/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Gov’t joins forces with academia to boost businesses appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Citi Trendz, the new weekly show provides viewers with unique insights about the week’s social media trends with expert commentary by the various guests that are featured on the show.

The show offers the technology, media and marketing industry, valuable insights to inform their campaigns and projects. It also ensures listeners are updated on the trending national issues  of the week in a precise and concise manner.

With the prominence of social media in the promotion of art, the first episode delves into how social media was used to promote the just-ended Chalewote Street Art Festival, how musician M.anifest effectively used social media to promote the video for his hit song Someway Bi and how trends begin on social media.

The first episode was announced to the world with a simple tweet:

Tune in to @Citi973 at 8:15PM for #CitiTrendz, Ghana’s first and only Social Media show on radio. Comments are welcome!

— CitiTrendz (@CitiTrendz) September 2, 2014

The show airs on Tuesdays at 8:15pm on 97.3 Citi FM and it’s produced by the Citifmonline team with support from Blogging Ghana and hosted by Mawuli Tsikata.

Mawuli Tsikata is the Online Manager at Citi FM, managing citifmonline.com, the Citi FM portals on Social Media. He has years of experience managing brands on social media and is one of the most respected professionals in the industry.

CitiFM in April, 2014 won the award for the media house with the best Social Media presence at Ghana’s Social Media Awards.

Audio: #CitiTrendz

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By: Kojo Akoto Boateng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Citi Trendz, the social media show, premieres on radio appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.