GCTU has taken another giant step toward strengthening industry-academia collaboration, by signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with three key institutions: the Centre for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA), Kowri and Delaphone Ltd., on 26th February, 2025.
The signed agreements underscored GCTU’s commitment to providing students with practical experience, fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing career prospects in the fields of dispute resolution, financial technology and telecommunications.
GCTU and CIMA
GCTU’s partnership with CIMA aims at creating a framework for cooperation in knowledge sharing and student exchange programmes.
The Vice-President of CIMA, Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson, expressed his excitement about reconnecting with GCTU. He provided insights into CIMA’s role in dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). He explained that the legal field is undergoing a transformation, with an increasing emphasis on ADR mechanisms and highlighted the growing intersection of law and technology, an area of great potential for collaboration with GCTU.
Dr. Dickson further emphasized the importance of legal technology and fintech in modern dispute resolution, suggesting that students in ICT-related fields would benefit greatly from exposure to these emerging disciplines. “Legal tech is a growing field that technology students must explore. The convergence of law and technology is an exciting frontier and this partnership will help students gain relevant skills in this space,” he remarked.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afoakwa emphasized the importance of equipping students with practical knowledge to bridge the gap between academia and industry. “We are building what we call Ghana’s Silicon Valley – an advanced ICT hub producing human capital for national growth. This MOU aligns perfectly with our vision,” he stated.
The Head of the Industrial Liaison Department, Dr. Ahmed Antwi-Boampong, whose Department spearheaded the MoU, highlighted the strong ties between CIMA and GCTU, particularly through Dr. Osei Bonsu Dickson, Vice President of CIMA and former adjunct faculty member at the University. He noted that the agreement would offer students internships, discounted enrollment in specialized programmes and exposure to emerging areas such as legal technology and fintech in dispute resolution.
The MOU also includes provisions for faculty exchange, joint research initiatives and professional training programmes. Both institutions expressed optimism about the collaboration, with expectations of impactful outcomes for students, faculty and industry professionals.
GCTU and Kowri
GCTU also formalized a partnership agreement with Kowri, a leading financial technology company in Ghana, to foster knowledge exchange and student training in fintech. The agreement seeks to provide students with real-world experience in the financial technology sector, a critical component of today’s digital economy.
During the signing ceremony, Prof. Afoakwa emphasized the University’s dedication to training industry-ready graduates, stating that the collaboration would provide students with internship and employment opportunities in software engineering, computer science, and related fields.
A Senior Project Manager at Kowri and a proud alumna of GCTU, Madam Araba Amuasi, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting that Kowri is committed to developing young talents. “As a company built on software engineering expertise, we understand the need to cultivate a strong talent pipeline. This partnership will ensure students receive industry-relevant training and job opportunities,” she said.
Dr. Antwi-Boampong reiterated GCTU’s commitment to engaging with industry players to enhance student learning. “This year, our focus has been on identifying technology-driven institutions that provide students with hands-on experience. Kowri’s proactive engagement with us has resulted in this MoU which will create valuable opportunities for our students,” he noted.
Some GCTU students have already commenced internships at Kowri, while the company plans to expand the programme in the coming months. The partnership is expected to drive innovation, skills development and professional growth within the fintech space.
GCTU and Delaphone Ltd
In another milestone, GCTU signed an MoU with Delaphone Ltd. to enhance student training and knowledge sharing in telecommunications. The agreement seeks to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with practical experience in call center management, SMS services, USSD solutions and AI-powered customer engagement tools.
The Acting General Manager of Delaphone Ltd, Mr. Kojo Amoako, highlighted the company’s commitment to nurturing talent in the telecommunications and business communication space. “One of our biggest challenges has been recruiting skilled personnel.
This collaboration allows us to train students in real-world applications, preparing them for the job market,” he said.
On his part, the VC reaffirmed the University’s mission to develop the human capital necessary for Ghana’s digital transformation. “Our role as Ghana’s premier Communication Technology University is to ensure that our students gain practical skills before graduation. This MoU is a crucial step in achieving that goal,” he stated.
As part of the agreement, Delaphone Ltd. has already taken in GCTU students for internships, with expectations to expand the programme further. The company also expressed its commitment to offering full-time employment opportunities to outstanding students upon completion of their training.
