Africa is disproportionately affected by Infectious diseases, yet it is the least producer of biotech solutions.  Furthermore, the paucity and inaccessibility of the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines in Africa is a contemporary example of how urgent it is for Africa to develop its own biotech industry.  Most sub-Saharan (SSA) Universities teach biomedical and physical sciences but hardly translate them into biotech solutions and jobs for graduates.

The need to translate knowledge into practical solutions and jobs cannot be more emphasised.  For example, a manufacturing plant producing diagnostic reagents, therapeutics and or vaccines can be a source of low- and high-skilled jobs for all youth from different levels of education.

The Ghana Bioenterprise Innovations Partnership (GBIP) proposes a knowledge exchange – mentorship programme that will equip partner Universities in Ghana with the know-how to translate biomedical knowledge into solutions that can be commercialised.  Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education and entrepreneurship are some of the critical areas highlighted in the World Bank report for job creation in Ghana.

The University of St Andrews, the University of Health and Allied Sciences, and the University of Cape Coast have come together to serve as catalyst for the translation of biomedical science into enterprise and jobs for  Ghanaian graduates and Africa at large.  The long-term goal beyond one year is to establish the Ghana – St Andrews biomedical innovations partnership offering knowledge exchange opportunities, business incubation and commercialisation.

We wish this project well as we unite to grow and innovate Africa for youth employment opportunities

British Council – Innovation for African Universities Programme (IAU)

The IAU programme is implemented by the Centre of Excellence (CoE), a partnership between the City, University of London, the University of Nairobi and ChangeSchool UK.

The Programme comprises 24 partnerships of UK universities, SSA universities and entrepreneurial ecosystem organisations.  The Programme is running in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana & South Africa.

We’re looking forward to working in partnership with the GBIP to exchange knowledge and ideas to strengthen the role of universities in entrepreneurship ecosystems.

To find out more: https://bit.ly/3hUjYdLo

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