President John Dramani Mahama has underscored the importance of closer collaboration between universities and industry in Ghana, stressing that such partnerships are vital in preparing graduates for the future of work and driving national development.
His remarks followed a working visit to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and Biopolis, Singapore’s premier biomedical research hub, after delivering the opening keynote at the Africa Singapore Business Forum.
At the Singapore Institute of Technology, President Mahama observed how the institution has built its model around applied learning and industry collaboration.
He noted that SIT integrates academic study with workplace experience, ensuring that students graduate not only with theoretical knowledge but also with practical skills that respond directly to industry demands.
“Their new campus within the Punggol Digital District exemplifies how academia, industry, and the community can be tightly integrated to prepare students for the future of work”.
President John Dramani Mahama
He emphasized that this alignment between learning and industry needs was a valuable lesson for Ghana, where concerns about graduate employability and skills mismatch continue to dominate national discussions on education and job creation.
The President explained that Ghana must expand its focus on applied research and training programmes that are directly tied to national priorities.
According to him, initiatives such as internships, industry placements, and applied-learning modules should become central features of Ghana’s higher education system. “Key takeaways for me were the need to deepen university–industry collaboration to make graduates more work-ready and future-ready,” he stated.
Ghana’s Earlier Groundwork
President Mahama also acknowledged the earlier groundwork laid by Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Ghana’s current Vice President and then Minister for Education, in aligning higher education institutions with industry needs.
He stressed that this process must not only be sustained but also accelerated, given the growing demands of the global economy and the rapid technological changes shaping the world of work.
Beyond education, President Mahama’s visit also focused on how Singapore is advancing innovation and economic growth through research collaboration.
At Biopolis, he toured a biomedical hub that brings together leading public and private institutions across the full life sciences value chain—from basic discovery research to clinical development and medical technology.
He described Biopolis as a demonstration of what can be achieved when government, academia, and private companies work seamlessly together. “Biopolis showcases how coordinated public–private collaboration can drive innovation and economic growth,” he said.
Good Lessons for Ghana
Drawing lessons for Ghana, the President called for stronger public–private partnerships in biotechnology, healthcare, and life sciences research.
He highlighted the potential of these fields not only to boost innovation but also to create jobs and improve livelihoods. “We must focus research on solutions that create jobs and improve lives,” he emphasized, noting that innovation must always be tied to practical outcomes that respond to the needs of society.
President Mahama expressed appreciation to his hosts in Singapore for the opportunity to engage and learn from their experiences.
He described the exchanges with SIT and Biopolis as “insightful,” adding that Ghana is eager to pursue collaborations that will strengthen its higher education system, deepen innovation, and enhance healthcare delivery.
“We are grateful to our hosts at SIT and Biopolis for the insightful exchanges. We look forward to building partnerships that will help accelerate Ghana’s progress in higher education, innovation and healthcare”.
President John Dramani Mahama
The President’s reflections underscore a broader vision for Ghana’s development: one where education, research, and industry are seamlessly linked to generate knowledge, produce innovation, and create opportunities.
With Ghana facing the dual challenge of improving graduate employability and driving sustainable economic growth, President Mahama’s call to action suggests that lessons from Singapore could play a critical role in shaping the country’s policy direction in the years ahead.
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