On July 21st, 2022, Nestlé and the University of Ghana renewed their collaboration which aims to strengthen local student scientific expertise and build competencies in the fields of innovation, research and development with a particular focus on food security.
The partnership will also help to strengthen the innovation ecosystem through supporting emerging students and providing them with practical learning opportunities in food innovation. Students and academic staff from various technical departments of the University of Ghana will continue to have access to Nestlé's strong expertise in science and technology located at the regional innovation centres in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, its global R&D centres as well as learning opportunities within Nestlé Ghana.
The University of Ghana cherishes opportunities such as this which seek to bridge the gap between industry and academia and aligns with the University’s goal of producing the next generation of thought leaders to drive national and global development.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gordon Awandare, Pro Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), expressed the University's excitement partnering with a global giant like Nestlé in the training of students to change the narrative of graduates not being fit for the job market.
He expressed appreciation to Nestlé for expanding the scope of the collaboration a notch higher to involve a number of academic units of the University including the Schools of Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Engineering Sciences, University of Ghana Business School, Careers and Counselling Centre and the Office of Students with Special Needs. He further indicated this collaboration will inure to the benefit of both institutions and called on other corporate organisations to partner in the training of students.
Tesfalidet Haile, Head of Nestlé Research and Development (R&D) Sub-Saharan Africa highlighted at the signing ceremony, that the agreement will continue to open the doors of Nestlé’s global R&D network to students and staff of the University to strengthen their knowledge and build competency in their various fields.
Deborah Kwablah, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Ghana Ltd, emphasized that the collaboration will continue to help students transition from education to the employment sector with ease, while promoting an entrepreneurial mindset.
The strong partnership is in line with Nestlé’s ambition to help 10 million young people worldwide access economic opportunities by 2030 as part of the global “Nestlé needs YOUth” initiative.