GCTU, in collaboration with the National Academy of Students Achievement Awards (NASAAG) has organized a Leadership Summit to provide students with practical knowledge, leadership skills and entrepreneurial insights relevant to today’s competitive job market on May 21, 2026 at Florence Onny, Tesano campus.
The summit was held on the theme: “Time with Industry & Policy Leaders: Entrepreneurial Journey from Dreams to Realities”.
In her opening remarks, the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Emelia Amoako Asiedu elaborated on the agenda for the summit and encouraged participants to build professional networking and prepare themselves for the opportunities in the industry. She urged the participants to equip themselves with soft skills that will help them excel in both academia and industry.
The President of NASAAG, Mr. Riffath Yakubu Abubakar, who addressed the summit, indicated, that the core mandate of NASAAG is to bridge the gap between industry and academia by equipping students with the competencies and practical skills required by the job market. He noted the growing importance of entrepreneurship in the current dispensation and urged students to embrace innovation, creativity and self-development.
Mr. Abubakar concluded his presentation by urging students to remain dedicated and trustworthy in every environment they find themselves and strive to earn the confidence of their supervisors and colleagues. This, he said, can be achieved through hard work, discipline and commitment to excellence.
Speaking at the Summit, the Assistant General Manager for SME Banking at EximBank Ghana, Dr. Judith Anumel, emphasized the need for students to continuously acquire relevant knowledge, practical skills and professional competencies that will prepare them for the demands of the corporate world. She further encouraged participants to practice humility in their interactions with people at all levels within the workplace, stressing that respect and professionalism are critical traits for career growth.
Dr. Anumel expressed concern about the growing arrogance displayed by some young people in professional environments, urging students to cultivate positive attitudes and remain open to learning. She encouraged participants to seek mentorship from experienced professionals within their respective fields in order to gain guidance, industry exposure and valuable career insights.
The President and Group Chairman of M&C Group Global, Mr. Michael Leslie Bartlett-Vanderpuye, engaged participants in an interactive session. He highlighted the growing gap between classroom education and real-world industry demands, urging students to take deliberate steps towards practical learning and self-development. The speaker encouraged participants to develop their own applications, innovative ideas and entrepreneurial projects as part of their learning journey in order to gain hands-on experience and build problem-solving skills.
Mr. Bartlett-Vanderpuye advised participants to focus on career readiness, innovation and entrepreneurship. During the discussion, he encouraged students to reflect on their educational experiences and assess how their academic training aligns with the expectations of the modern job market.
The summit featured an engaging panel discussion session with experienced professionals, where participants had the opportunity to interact with the speakers, by asking questions to gain deeper insight and understanding on issues relating to entrepreneurship, leadership, career development and industry expectations.
The event brought together staff, students, industry professionals and policy leaders to engage in insightful discussions on career development, entrepreneurship and leadership excellence.
