ATU, Assembly sign MoU to commence academic and research projects
The Accra Technical University (ATU) and the Ga West Municipal Assembly (GWMA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to undertake joint academic research and projects to help improve the quality of life of the people in the area.
The five-year pact seeks to establish cooperation between the two institutions in areas of industrial and academia for accelerated growth, socio-economic and infrastructure development.
It will provide a framework through technology and applied research and adopt the municipality as a living laboratory for academic purposes.
Professor Edmund Ameko, Acting Vice Chancellor of ATU signed on behalf of ATU while Mr Clement Nii Lamptey Wilkinson, Municipal Chief Executive of GWMA, initialled on behalf of the Assembly.
Speaking at a brief event in Accra on Wednesday, Prof Ameko explained that the areas of cooperation would include trading of expertise and skills in the organization of seminars, workshops and training opportunities for the identification and promoting of businesses.
He stated that ATU’s responsibility, under the MOU would be to make the university’s staff and student available to the assembly to conduct field activities, facilitate training and seminars as well as make available information of joint research.
Prof Ameko mentioned that government, through the Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (COTVET), was building workshops to enhance practical training for students.
Mr Wilkinson said as part of the agreement, the Municipal Assembly would provide access to facilities and sites for research purposes, make available, where appropriate, reliable and up to date information for research.
He expressed his commitment towards ensuring the success of the agreement by facilitating the provision of social amenities, including electricity, roads and water to the new campus of the school which was under construction.
“The catchment area of the new campus had been earmarked as part of the National Industrial Park. This project will start very soon and all these developments will be part of the new Accra city,” he added.
The partnership, the MCE said, would also see the two institutions working together to establish a modern irrigation facility to produce fresh vegetable market as well as aquaculture.
Accra Technical University formerly Accra Polytechnic was the first Polytechnic to be established in Ghana in 1949. The school has gone through various reformations, which had been granted full technical university statues.
Source: GNA