Academic City eyes Presidential Charter

Academic City University College – a premium Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics tertiary institution is pursuing all the necessary processes to obtain a Chartered Status which would be considered as a mark of professional competency.

This was made known by the President of the University College, Professor Fred McBagonluri at the school’s inauguration ceremony which happened in Accra.

He said the inauguration marks the beginning of the Presidential Charter in 2023, which would build confidence in parents across the sub-region, leading to the creation of a new and dynamic workforce.

“To all our stakeholders present, let today mark the beginning of this remarkable journey to a Presidential Charter in 2023. A Charter that will build confidence in parents across the subregion and lead to the creation of a new and dynamic workforce; a workforce that finds opportunities in complexity and elevates the aspirations of a nation.  Government alone cannot educate all.  But Government can create the right conditions to encourage and support private equity to augment its efforts” he said.

He asked for the prayers and guidance of all present at the ceremony to enable Academic City become the very embodiment of its name-the shining city in the valley.

On his part, the Founder and Chairman of Academic City University College, Mr. Dev Variyani urged government to have a policy that would cement Ghana as an Africa Hub for education.

He said the country has good and growing digital infrastructure, adding that it is seen as a peaceful Hub and must now support investments such as the one made into Academic City and others to have easy access to financial support, the best talent, and a smooth, efficient means to scale their start-up products across the region and global market.”

Mr. Variyani also congratulated the continuing students and graduands for their brilliance and exemplary achievements. He admonished them to bear the University badge with pride and to make a difference for the country and continent.

Again, he congratulated the Board of Governance, Executive Committee, Leardership and entire Faculty and Administrative staff for seeing the University through the difficult years and setting “Acity on the path to its mission of truly being an education city that is impacting not only West Africa.”

Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia who was Guest of Honour at the ceremony said there is the need to explore and support a move into digital manufacturing as Ghana has a probable comparative advantage in the area.

He said: “We believe that as you move into Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and 3D printing, we need to leverage all of these into the manufacturing sector,” adding that there are many parts like medical parts, car parts that can be 3D printed.

“I am going to challenge [the President of Academic City] Prof [Fred] McBagonluri, who is an inventor and has already written a lot on the issues of manufacturing so the mechanics in Suame can use a lot of parts that Ghana could manufacture digitally and export” he further stated.

He urged the University to help move into digital manufacturing to create more jobs and more incomes for the people of Ghana “And we will support you and work with you through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission”

The Veep said that the vision of Academic City is not only in line government’s vision and goals but also in tune with global human resources demand, noting that its establishment to provide innovative programmes for churning out well-equipped graduates to become relevant in the job market could not be overemphasized.

The ceremony was climaxed with a cultural performance, followed by the unveiling of the plaque and a tour of the university.

In attendance were the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Deputy Education Minister, Rev Ntim Fordjour, Global Peace Ambassador, Gurudev Sri Sri Shankar, and Municipal Chief Executive of Ga East, Elizabeth Kaakie Mann.

Others include; Director of IPMC, Ambassador of Israel to Ghana, Shlomit Sufa, Professor Ashong and wife, High Commissioner of India, Chiefs of Aburi and Adonteng, Adoteng Mankralo, Okyeame Kwesi Gyimah, Quiz Mistress of NSMQ, Elsie A. B. Effah Kaufmann among others.