BTH Expands Horizon with Collaborative Initiatives in Ghana

The Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) is taking remarkable strides towards fostering global collaboration. In a recent initiative, a BTH delegation, led by Professor Niklas Lavesson, embarked on a fruitful journey to Ghana. The goal? To explore and build collaboration opportunities with renowned universities in the West African nation.

Key Highlights of the Visit:

1. Institutional Engagements: The delegation visited two major universities: Pentecost University in Accra and the University of Cape Coast in western Ghana. The talks proved productive, and an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pentecost University was acknowledged, setting a strong foundation for future engagements.
2. Future Collaborations: With Africa's population projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050 and the rapid digitalization of the continent, the need for global cooperation is paramount. BTH recognizes the potential in collaborating with Ghanaian universities, especially in mechanical engineering, software engineering, and industrial economics.
3. Addressing Global Challenges: Professor Lavesson stressed the global challenges that Africa faces and the need for collaborative solutions. These challenges span security, health, economic, and social sustainability. Interestingly, he also highlighted Europe's need for qualified human capital, especially in the IT sector, making this collaboration a win-win for both continents.
4. BTH's African Footprint: With existing agreements with South Africa and Namibia, the collaboration with Ghana strengthens BTH's commitment to global engagements, especially in Africa.
5. Ghana's Innovation Ecosystem: As highlighted by Andreas Larsson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Partnerships at BTH, Ghana's rapidly growing innovation ecosystem presents a fertile ground for mutual collaborations in research and education, aligning with industry and societal demands.
6. Advocacy for Practical Solutions: Kayode Adekunle, research advisor at BTH, emphasized the importance of shifting the African educational paradigm from theoretical to a more practical approach, better catering to the unique societal challenges and job market demands of the continent.

The visit culminated with Professor Lavesson and Kayode Adekunle's participation in the Ghana 2023 Global STEM and Computing Education Summit. They stressed the importance of software development, programming, and IT skills in addressing real-world challenges.

In conclusion, BTH's Ghana initiative not only fosters international academic collaboration but also aims at addressing pressing global challenges through education and research. This partnership promises to be a beacon of hope for future international endeavors.