Accra: Professor William Baah Boateng, a renowned economist from the University of Ghana, has emphasized the importance of prioritizing knowledge and skill acquisition over mere certification. He underscored the need for practical training integrated with case studies, all while maintaining critical thinking as a core component of education.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof. Boateng shared his insights at the Industry-Academia Roundtable Meeting organized by the Design and Technology Institute (DTI). The event, themed ‘Connecting Skill Sets for the Employability of Students in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET),’ aimed to address the skill mismatch between graduates and industry demands, especially in the TVET sector. It explored strategies to enhance industry involvement in curriculum design and training programs.
The meeting also highlighted successful collaboration models from Ghana and around the world, such as DTI’s dual-TVET system. It sought to develop policy suggestions and practical steps to improve TVET delivery and infrastructure, fostering long-term partnerships and a robust ecosystem supporting youth employment.
Effective collaboration between academia and industry is deemed crucial for developing a workforce with the necessary skills and technologies to tackle societal challenges. However, the persistent ‘industry-academia gap’ remains a barrier, characterized by a lack of mutual understanding between these sectors.
Prof. Boateng advocated for creativity and innovation at the foundational level, along with substantial investment in STEM education, including AI, machine learning, and data science, integrated with vocational and technical education. He emphasized the dynamic nature of the job market and the need for labor to adapt continually by honing key skills in anticipation of future demands.
Madam Constance Swaniker, Founder of DTI, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the consequences of the divide. She noted that graduates, particularly from TVET institutions, often lack job-ready skills, which limits their employability and contributes to high youth unemployment.
