By Kodjo Adams
Accra, Dec. 19, GNA – The Accra Technical University (ATU) and the Management Development Productivity Institute (MDPI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to build the capacities of the University’s staff and students and enhance productivity.
The areas of cooperation include identification and development of tailor-made training for staff and students, certification of trainees, staff, and students, and the development and organization of short courses, among others.
Professor Samuel Nii Odai, the Vice-Chancellor of ATU signed for the University, while Madam Bernice Adjei, the Acting Director General of MDPI signed on behalf of the Institute.
Prof Odai said the collaboration would broaden the frontiers of educational opportunities for beneficiaries to be competitive in the world of work.
“By our mandate, we are to train students in technical and vocational education for hands-on experience for employment and job creation,” he said.
He said the University’s students need soft skills in addition to classroom activities to be productive and competitive in the market.
The collaboration, he stressed, would help develop new programmes to meet the needs of industry players for national development.
Madam Adjei said the world was changing and industry skillsets were being redefined automatically due to the technological revolution.
“Soft skills are attributes that enable people to engage in meaningful interactions with others, including effective communication, time management, interpersonal skills, problem solving, and decision-making skills,” he said.
She said the majority of employers were looking to hire, retain, and promote resourceful, ethical, dependable, and self-motivated individuals to achieve the company’s mandates.
She said MDPI was committed to incorporating technical and specialized skills into the mainstream management development programmes with the University.
That, she stressed, would broaden the scope of services to cover more artisans that may need skills upgraded and innovation to promote quality work and high productivity.
GNA