Train employable graduates; Prof. Yankah tasks universities
The President of the Central University College, Professor Kwesi Yankah, has tasked local universities to offer programmes that will make graduates employable.
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According to him, the unemployment rate in the country was gradually going high, adding that academic institutions needed to establish programmes that would encourage graduates to create jobs for themselves.
Prof. Yankah stated this when he addressed the 11th graduation ceremony of the Ghana Technology University College last Saturday.
It was on the theme, "Producing employable graduates for the Ghanaian industry".
In all, 240 students received post-graduate certificates in various fields of study such as Supply Chain Management, Finance, Oil and Gas, Engineering and Management and Management Information Systems from the GTUC, and master’s degrees in Advanced Education from Coventry University, an affiliate educational institution of the GTUC in the United Kingdom (UK).
Time bomb
Prof. Yankah noted that the number of unemployed graduates was likely to rise from 200,000 to 217,000 by the end of this year, pointing out that this called for drastic changes in curricula in the universities to prepare graduates for the job market.
He noted that few universities and colleges in Ghana had made attempts to develop employable courses, adding that the spirit of entrepreneurship in students from those universities was commendable.
“Let industry and academia improve their dialogue, let’s streamline the academic curriculum, let’s infuse academic work with more practitioners and let’s even create more internship,” he added.
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Be the pacesetter
Prof. Yankah observed that playing a critical role in the area of science and technology as a private institution without support from the government was challenging and commended the management of GTUC for the effort made over the years to promote the study of science and technology.
In spite of considerable setbacks in funding, he said, private universities were more innovative in course development and curriculum and indulged in significant academic adventure, whereas public universities were more conservative.
He urged private institutions to be the pacesetters in quality education to become the first choice for Ghanaians.
Pursue your dream
The President of GTUC, Dr Osei K. Darkwa, said GTUC had built academic partnerships with a number of institutions in certain areas, including academic and research co-operation, information technology development and exchange programmes.
He noted that knowledge and understanding were key elements in the life of every individual, adding that opportunities to acquire those virtues should not be ignored.
Dr Darkwa urged the graduates to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on society.
Mr Salathiel Tetteh Dorh, who was adjudged the overall best student, also picked an award for his excellence in the MBA Finance programme.