Universities can help to tackle youth unemployment in Africa by preparing students for work
Representatives from the University of Sussex held a panel discussion in Ghana recently which aimed to address how Global North and South universities can form effective partnerships with each other.
Sussex's Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Davies and Dr Julie Litchfield, Senior Lecturer in Economics take part in the panel discussion
The high-profile panel discussion in Accra included Professor Michael Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) at Sussex; Hon Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Ghanaian Minister for Education; and Professor Ernest Aryeetey, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Ghana.
Key issues discussed were the need for universities in Africa to support engineering and sciences, the role of partnerships with industry in providing the type of education needed to move Ghana and Africa forward and the importance of supporting research capacity within the Global South.
During the panel discussion Professor Opoku-Agyemang said: “The Global North is constantly classified as ‘developed’ which creates a relationship where one partner needs ‘help’ rather than on mutual input and contribution.”
She went on to state: “Sustainable Development Goals are achievable - but they cannot be achieved on the current relationship between the Global North and South.”
Professor Aryeetey moved on to speak about how difficult it is to train people for the jobs needed in Africa. He called for companies to spend money on training students post education stating that all big science centres work in multi partnership teams and students are “not being provided with enough exposure”.
On this topic Professor Davies drew parallels with the UK on inspiring young school children to take an interest in science and engineering and to consider employment in these sectors.
Completing the panel was Dr Rudith King, alumna of Sussex and the Institute of Development Studies, who is a Senior Lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; Emiliy Sawle Thomas, Assistant Country Director of the British Council in Ghana; and the panel Chair, Dr Julie Litchfield, a Senior Lecturer in Economics at Sussex.
The panel discussion was hosted by the University of Sussex, whose Education Professors Brian Hudson and Kwame Akyeampong have been appointed adjunct professors of the University of Ghana’s newly established College of Education in Accra.
It formed part of an executive-led mission to the region, which encompassed meetings at the University of Ghana and visits to prospective South African partners for research and student mobility. The Sussex delegation also held meetings with University executives from Africa and other continents at Going Global, the British Council-led forum for global higher education leaders, held in Cape Town.
For more information on this or other University executive missions, contact Georgie Chesman, International Partnerships Officer (g.chesman@sussex.ac.uk).