KNUST and AFOS Foundation sign MoU to boost employability and digital skills
The Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AFOS Foundation to collaborate on a project to enhance employability, particularly for females in technology-related fields.
The signing took place at KNUST, with officials from both institutions present.
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, expressed appreciation for the partnership.
“Unemployment is a global challenge, and we must work together to equip the youth with skills to help them secure opportunities,” she said.
She emphasized that KNUST is committed to encouraging more female students to enter Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
“We have over 80,000 students, and more than 40% are female. That is why we have introduced a STEM for Girls policy, which encourages more women to enter technology-related programs. This MoU aligns with our goal,” Professor Dickson said. 
The AFOS Foundation team was represented by Hanna Schlingman, the Project Lead, who acknowledged that KNUST should have been involved in their earlier capacity-building projects.
She explained that AFOS had previously collaborated with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) and another institution, but this new project focuses more on employability.
“We are now reaching out to female students with technical skills, and KNUST is the right place for this. We were also very impressed with the facilities at the KNUST E-Learning Centre, which will help make this project sustainable,” Hanna said.
The Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Eric Appau Asante, provided background on the collaboration. He stated that discussions between KNUST and AFOS began in 2024, with visits to assess the university’s facilities.
“AFOS explored the potential for collaboration and, after reviewing our capabilities, found KNUST suitable for this partnership. We have worked to define our roles, and today’s signing is the beginning of this project,” Professor Asante said.
The KNUST E-Learning Centre is identified as a strategic partner in the project, rather than an implementing partner.
The business associations involved in the initiative will take up implementation roles, while KNUST provides expertise and digital learning infrastructure.
Professor Dickson reassured the AFOS team of KNUST’s commitment to making the partnership impactful. “We do not sign MoUs for them to gather dust. We ensure they translate into action. We want to see outcomes that will make a difference,” she said.
Hanna Schlingman agreed, adding that she had seen many agreements that never led to concrete results.
“I have seen many shelves filled with MoUs. That is not what we want. This project is meant to bring real change, and we are confident KNUST is the right institution to help make it happen,” she said.
The ceremony was attended by Mrs. Abigial Dzama Anderson, Senior Assistant Registrar at the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Mrs. Yvonne Baiden, Senior Assistant Registrar at the International Programmes Office, and Mr. Isaac Berko, Deputy Registrar at the Legal Services Department.
The legal team confirmed that all necessary reviews had been done, clearing the way for the signing. Professor Dickson encouraged AFOS to consider expanding the project beyond this initial phase. “At KNUST, we don’t just stop at phase one. We aim for phase two, three, and more because we deliver results,” she said.
With the signing completed, both institutions look forward to a fruitful partnership that will enhance skills development and employability for students and entrepreneurs, especially women in technology.
Published: 13th February,2025 Source: KNUST E-Learning Centre