The country’s unemployment problem can be solved with ease if universities equip students with the relevant skills, Professor Mark Appiah, President of the College of Science and Technology of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CCST) has observed.
According to him, it was unfortunate that most graduates were finding it difficult to transition from university education to work mainly because of mismatch of skills.
That, he noted, “is because university education has not been linked to the needs of the important sectors of the economy”.
Prof. Appiah was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the CCST Alumni Association (CCSTAA) in Kumasi on Saturday.
He said “with the shrinking public sector employment, university education must be relevant by ensuring that education systems and programmes equip students with the relevant skills and attitudes for industries and private sectors, in the country”
Realising that the alumni of the CCST who formed the executive membership of the Association were all in gainful employment and holding prestigious positions, he said “this is a testimony that we are providing quality learning and training needed to support development of appropriate skills needed for jobs.”
He urged the alumni to live up to expectation in their fields to be role models for the CCST.
Dr Edward Yeboah, Acting Director of the Soil Research Institute(CSIR-SRI),and a patron of the Association, assured that he would do everything possible to ensure scholarships for the alumni and other students to get the highest required qualifications for national development.
“We will work assiduously to help members,” he quipped.
Prof. Moses Branford Mochiah, Director of the Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI) urged the members to be career partners where they could speak with authority on issues to motivate others.
He asked them to be a living example of the CCST for others to follow.
President of the Association, Charles Yaw Brefo- Nimo, encouraged members to be channels of progress, saying “we will grow to support the University in all endeavours.”
Other executive members of the CCSTAA are Louisa Abena Ebbah, Vice President; Kwaku Osei Adu Agyemang, General Secretary; Eunice Okyere Agyapong, Organizer; Alexander Owusu Ansah, Treasurer and Agnes Achiaa Aboagye, Communication Officer.
FROM KINGSLEY E.HOPE, FUMESUA
