Mr. Austin Okere, Founder of Computer Warehouse Group, advised African Universities to encourage students to create their own entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial skills to be relevant in the field of work.
“Intrapreneurship refers to employee initiatives in organizations to undertake something new, without being asked to do so. It focuses on innovation and creativity, and transforms an idea into a profitable venture, while operating within the organizational environment”, he explained.
Mr. Okere made the call in Accra, at a Global Business Network and EFMD joint conference in Africa held on the theme: “Markets Shaping Management Education”, and hosted by Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
The conference brought together Deans, Faculty and Senior Administrators from African countries, Asia, America, Europe and Australia. It also provided opportunities for participants to discuss and learn about innovations and trends in education management and forge new personal and institutional relationships.
According to Mr. Okere, universities need to be more astute in dealing with work-integrated learning placements, saying universities should not only be engaged with entrepreneurship as part of formal education but through all aspects of its operation.
There is a need to build a much greater connection between the university and its local context including the industry, communities, NGOs, community-based groups, and trade unions for effective synergies.
Another Speaker, Mr. Guy Pfeffermann, Founder of Global Business School Network, stated that, the conference has been designed to be interactive, informative and inspirational. And also youth unemployment is on the rise around the world, where students are graduating from academic programmes lacking the full complement of skills needed to be successfully employed.
Professor Samuel Bonsu, Dean of GIMPA Business School, added that Africa is endowed with rich resources but lack of effective leadership and management has affected its development.
He said the conference would provide opportunities for stakeholders to engage in constructive discussions and chart the new path in strengthening the African educational system for sustainable development.
