Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MTN, one of the giant communication companies in Africa. The ceremony took place on the 24th June, 2015 at the University’s Council Chamber.
The MoU involving an amount of three hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GHC 300,000.00) is to establish a long-term collaboration between industry (MTN) and academia (KNUST). The objective is to improve practical training of KNUST students in telecom engineering.
Mrs. Cynthia Lumor, acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Corporate Service Executive leader of the five-member team of MTN observed at the ceremony that the MoU was also in relation to MTN’s project, ‘MTN Ghana Foundation’. She stated that education was the key focus area for the MTN Ghana Foundation. Research was the very core of MTN’S business.
She was pleased that MTN had signed the MoU with KNUST to establish an innovation fund for research and teaching activities in the University. She continued that MTN had the plan to create a hub and encourage more research and innovation in telecom engineering. She further explained that the initiative was to build capacity and prepare students for the job market and to encourage research for the benefit of the nation.
She added there would be room for internships for engineering students to acquire some practical skills during long vacations. She disclosed that MTN was in discussion with the College of Engineering (CoE) to organize an annual three-day career fair for students in the last week of February. She promised facility tours for students to have hands-on experience.
Mrs. Lumor observed that for the focus approach to work effectively MTN had decided to appoint one of its staff to impart knowledge to students at seminars at the school.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, showed gratitude and commended MTN for the project with KNUST to contribute to academic activities of the University. He stated that the agreement was a first step to building a stronger relationship between KNUST and MTN.
He observed that MTN had got a foothold in the University to enhance research work and it would set the platform to do great things for the nation.
