The Career Services Centre of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has reaffirmed its commitment to equipping students with industry-ready skills through strategic collaborations with the European Union and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). This was evident in a recent visit by the European Union Ambassador, H.E Rune Skinnebach, and his delegation to the university’s Career Services Centre. The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation among KNUST, the European Union, and UNCDF to advance youth employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Ghana and beyond.
During the visit, Ambassador Skinnebach commended KNUST for its growing influence in higher education and innovation, describing the institution as a leading force not only in Ghana but across West Africa. He noted that the European Union remains committed to supporting young people through initiatives such as European Horizons and Erasmus+, adding that partnerships with institutions like KNUST are crucial to shaping the continent's future. The Ambassador emphasized the importance of engaging with young people, stating that they are not only the future but also the present.
The Director of the KNUST Career Services Centre, Mrs. Selina Angmor Doe, explained that the university was selected last year as one of the implementers of the European Union’s Skills Project in collaboration with UNCDF. According to her, the partnership has already yielded significant results, including the reconstruction of the Centre’s website to incorporate a job board that allows employers to directly upload employment opportunities for students and graduates. The project has also facilitated engagements with industry experts and led to the establishment of programme advisory committees for five programmes under the Faculty of Physical and Computational Sciences.
One of the key outcomes of the partnership has been the training of over 3,000 students in IT skills that will make them competitive internationally. This initiative is part of the European Union’s efforts to support skills development and enhance employability among young people in Ghana. The Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO), Professor Edmund Ekuadzi, underscored KNUST’s vision of becoming a leading science and technology institution on the African continent through strategic partnerships and student-centred initiatives.
Professor Ekuadzi highlighted KNUST’s commitment to aligning its curricula with industry needs, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills required in the world of work. He noted that beyond technical training, the university is focused on preparing students for the world of work through initiatives spearheaded by the Career Services Centre. The Dean emphasized the importance of investing in young people, stating that whatever is done for them, it should be known that it is not done for the future, but for the present.
As part of the visit, the Ambassador engaged students who had benefited from the project through career consultations, interactive sessions, and a luncheon discussion where students shared their experiences and the impact of the programme on their professional development. The Director of Student Affairs, Prof. Marian Asantewah Nkansah, highlighted the significance of the KNUST stool as a symbol of the University’s heritage, knowledge, and excellence. She noted that presenting a miniature of the stool to the EU Ambassador was not merely a gift, but a symbolic gesture of welcoming him into the KNUST family and recognising his connection with the University and its community.
The visit by the EU Ambassador to KNUST demonstrates the commitment of the European Union to supporting education and skills development in Ghana. The partnership between KNUST, UNCDF, and the European Union is expected to create more opportunities for students, enabling them to step out into the world not only to search for jobs but also to create jobs. With over 80,000 students and close to 20,000 graduates every year, initiatives like these are crucial to the university’s efforts to produce industry-ready graduates.
Key points
- The European Union Ambassador, H.E Rune Skinnebach, visited KNUST to discuss youth empowerment, employability, and digital skills training.
- KNUST has trained over 3,000 students in IT skills through its partnership with the European Union and UNCDF.
- The partnership aims to advance youth employability, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Ghana and beyond.
