The University of Professional Studies (UPSA) has partnered with BR Institute on a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education, innovation development and industry collaboration for students across the University, a move aimed to deepen the link between classroom learning and real world enterprise.
The partnership reinforces the University’s commitment to preparing students and young professionals to create value through enterprise, innovation and practical problem solving, at a time when institutions across the country are being urged to produce graduates equipped for more than conventional employment.
According to the University, the partnership is expected to deepen its efforts to connect academic training with real world entrepreneurial practice, while expanding opportunities for students to develop, refine and commercialise innovative ideas emerging from their studies.
The collaboration also aligns with UPSA’s broader agenda of producing graduates who are not only employable, but also capable of creating sustainable ventures and responding meaningfully to societal and market needs, a goal that has become increasingly central to how the University designs its academic programmes.
Senior Officials Lead Partnership Ceremony
The partnership ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both institutions. UPSA’s delegation was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, and included Mrs Lorraine Gyan, Prof. Samuel Antwi, and Dr Akushika Andoh. BR Institute was represented by Nathan Kwabena Anokye Adisi, popularly known as Bola Ray, and Mr Alex Brown.
Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. Mawutor underscored the importance of developing an entrepreneurial mindset among students, noting that UPSA is deliberately strengthening its academic and professional environment to encourage innovation, enterprise creation, and solution driven learning across its various faculties.
“Students must be supported to look beyond traditional employment pathways and be empowered to identify opportunities, develop creative ideas, and implement solutions that address real challenges within communities and industry.”
Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor, UPSA
The Vice-Chancellor’s remarks reflected a growing emphasis within the University on preparing students to take initiative in shaping their own career paths, rather than depending solely on the traditional job market after completing their studies.
Collaboration to Feed Into UPSA-1000 Initiative
Through the partnership, BR Institute will collaborate with UPSA on the upcoming UPSA 1000 initiative, which forms part of the broader Ghana Entrepreneurship Conference. The initiative is expected to bring together students, industry leaders, investors, and relevant stakeholders to showcase innovative ideas and scalable business solutions emerging from the University’s ecosystem.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor said the initiative will serve as a flagship platform where promising student ventures can gain visibility among established industry players and potential investors, creating a direct bridge between campus based innovation and the wider business community.
Both institutions expressed confidence that the collaboration will create new pathways for mentorship, practical entrepreneurship training, innovation funding, and industry exposure for students across disciplines.
“This collaboration opens new avenues for guidance, hands on training, funding support, and exposure to industry for our students, regardless of their field of study.”
Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, Vice-Chancellor, UPSA
Partnership Reinforces UPSA’s Entrepreneurial Positioning
Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor said the partnership further strengthens UPSA’s position as a leading professional university committed to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the development of graduates who can contribute meaningfully to national development.
Beyond the immediate benefits to students, the University noted that the partnership forms part of a broader institutional strategy to embed entrepreneurship firmly within its academic culture, rather than treating it as an option add on to traditional coursework.
As the partnership takes effect, both UPSA and BR Institute say they remain committed to working closely together to deliver practical entrepreneurship training, funding opportunities, and mentorship support capable of translating promising student ideas into viable, scalable ventures.
The collaboration comes at a time when universities across Ghana are increasingly being called upon to strengthen ties with industry, as stakeholders continue to emphasise the importance of equipping graduates with skills that extend beyond the classroom and into practical, market driven solutions for the country’s evolving economy.
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