Ho Technical University (HTU) has formally partnered with Praise Export Services Ltd. to significantly enhance practical training and employment opportunities for its students. This collaboration aims to deepen the connection between academic institutions and industry, providing students with crucial real-world experience.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at a ceremony in Ho. It will facilitate industrial attachments, internships, and national service placements for students. Praise Export Services Ltd. is a diversified Ghanaian company with operations in agriculture, agro-processing, export, hospitality, and eco-tourism. This broad scope offers students varied practical learning environments.
This partnership aligns with Ghana's broader economic strategy to improve youth employability and bridge the skills gap. Technical and vocational education institutions are increasingly vital for national development. Such collaborations ensure graduates possess the practical skills demanded by the evolving job market. Data consistently shows a need for more industry-ready graduates in Ghana.
Professor Ben Honyenuga, Vice-Chancellor of HTU, signed the agreement for the university. He stated the collaboration is part of HTU's agenda to strengthen industry partnerships for mutual benefit. Prof. Honyenuga highlighted the company's diverse operations, which offer students opportunities across multiple sectors. He emphasized the partnership supports the university's experiential learning approach, including its full-semester industrial attachment programme.
The agreement will create opportunities for industrial visits and professional career development for both students and staff. This strategic step strengthens HTU's links with industry. It broadens opportunities for students to complement classroom learning with practical experience. This direct exposure is critical for career readiness.
Mr. Godwin Edem Adordie, Chief Executive Officer of Praise Export Services Ltd., expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. He noted it fulfills a long-held desire to collaborate with technical and tertiary institutions. Mr. Adordie aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry. He recalled his own background in technical education and his past experience as a teacher at HTU.
Praise Export Services Ltd. will make its facilities available to students and faculty. These include company facilities in Accra and the Praise City Eco-tourism Park in Ho. The park is popularly known as “Point & Kill.” These resources offer practical learning and potential employment prospects for students and graduates. The company previously supported HTU with an industrial dryer donation, pledging continued support for the university's growth.
This collaboration is expected to significantly strengthen student employability. It expands opportunities for industrial attachment and internships. Students will gain exposure to practical opportunities in agro-processing, agriculture, hospitality, export, and eco-tourism. This multi-sectoral exposure is invaluable for their future careers. The partnership ensures that HTU graduates are better prepared for the demands of the Ghanaian economy. It also contributes to national efforts to reduce youth unemployment. This model of industry-academia collaboration is a key driver for economic growth and human capital development in Ghana.