The Challenge, hosted by the
University of Professional Studies (UPSA), was part of Innovation Week
activities, leading up to African Universities Day on 12 November. The theme
for this year’s event was ‘Entrepreneurial Learning and Communities of Practice’ Wisconsin
International University College has emerged the overall winner of the
inter-varsity Entrepreneurship Challenge organised by the Association of
African Universities.
The Challenge, hosted by the University of Professional Studies
(UPSA), was part of Innovation Week activities, leading up to African
Universities Day on 12 November. The theme for this year’s event was
‘Entrepreneurial Learning and Communities of Practice’.
The Challenge pitted teams from Wisconsin, GIMPA and UPSA against
each other to present solutions – highlighting innovative ways – to tackle
various challenges in tertiary education.
The teams were asked to present submissions on the theme “Innovative
retooling of African Higher Education to meet Agenda 2063 goals” as if doing so
for stakeholders attending an inter-ministerial meeting for the African Higher
Education Sector. Agenda 2063 is an ambitious plan for transformation of the
continent adopted by African heads of state and government on 24 January 2015
at the African Union Assembly.
The areas under focus for the Challenge were: Accessibility, Quality
Control, Funding problems and Peace and Security in African universities.
The students were scored on various
criteria including problem-solving, teamwork, critical thinking, confidence and
the ability to present ideas clearly. Judges were also looking for
innovativeness, both in presentation and in the solutions proffered, as well as
the ability to conduct thorough research..
Wisconsin students Princess Renice Anni (Communication Studies),
Ekanem Blessing (Business Studies) and Michael Nii-Ayitey Hammond (Law), were
presented their awards by the Secretary-General of the Association of African
Universities, Professor Etienne Ehouan Ehile, and one of the Entrepreneurship
Challenge judges, Professor Esther Sakyi-Dawson, Director, Academic Quality
Assurance Unit at the University of Ghana.
Michael Nii-Ayitey Hammond, a Level 300 student from the winning
team, said: “”Suspense was high as we waited for (the results) on Friday (11
November). Comments from members of the audience gave us reason to believe that
we had given a good account of ourselves.”
On the benefits of participating in the Challenge, Michael added:
“This event has certainly helped me in a myriad of ways – educating me on the
challenges Africa faces and the plan to achieve Agenda 2063. My confidence is
up a notch higher and I am convinced that I can easily deliver when called upon
to do so.”
Mr Ebenezer Amuasi, Career Services Coordinator at Wisconsin said:
“The teams had only three days to prepare on their allocated topic. All of
three institutions put in their best and should all be very proud of
themselves.
“All in all, this Challenge was a triumph for higher education. It
demonstrates that young people can think innovatively and deliver solutions to
many of the issues in the world today – and should therefore be equipped with
the skills and given the right platforms to do so.”
All teams will develop their topics further and their submissions
will be posted on the AAU website.
Other activities that took place during Innovation Week included
entrepreneurship talks hosted by Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology
(MEST), a panel discussion on the theme, which brought together academics and
industry experts, and a Twitter chat on entrepreneurship.The Association of
African Universities, established in 1967, has a membership of 361 public and
private tertiary institutions across the continent.
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