Tamale Technical University and Jowato Digital Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide practical research training to students and expose them to the business environment.

The MoU will also assist the university in exploring ways to advance learning innovations with Jowato.com and get students to practicalize their learnings with the online marketing firm at an early stage.

Professor Abubakari Abdul Razack (MC), Dean of the School of Business at Tamale Technical University, and Dr. Mohammed Majeed, Head of the Department for Marketing, stated that the University has worked over the years to develop better and stronger collaboration with industry players, paving the way for partnerships in the areas of learning and research, practical training for students, and institutional policy deliberations.

The MoU calls for Jowato.com and the University's School of Business to collaborate closely in the areas of Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Jonathan Kojo, Director of Jowato Digital Solutions, praised the university and its leadership for their bold vision to transform tertiary education and pledged his company's readiness and willingness to assist students in achieving their ultimate goal.

According to Mr. Jonathan, there appears to be a large gap between what the education system offers and what industry requires, which is one of the major reasons for the country's rising youth unemployment.

"The best way to bridge this gap is to work with industry to reshape the system and the students alike," he said.

The school of business studies at the university is one of the largest among Ghana's tertiary institutions.

Jowato Digital Solutions is Northern Ghana's leading Digital Marketplace/ eCommerce company, pioneering the Made in Ghana mantra.

Through the Jowato online marketplace, 200 local businesses are able to host their products online by creating online stores that display their brand, products and services for consumers and other businesses to purchase online.

With other outstanding businesses yet to be verified, most businesses know the importance of taking advantage of the digital space to increase their market share, but the cost and expertise needed to do this profitably can be a turnoff.

“Our platform makes it possible to set up an online store in just 5 minutes for free,” Jonathan said.

The Jowato system is fully automated and a customer can literarily visit the platform, order any product from any store, indicate the quantity they want, provide delivery address and additional information and either checkout/pay online via mobile money/Visa cards and debit cards or opt for cash on delivery without necessarily speaking with anyone.

Store owners receive order invoices and package products for delivery to the respective addresses. Jowato’s role ensures both buyers and sellers are protected through its seller and consumer protection policies.

This MoU will also allow students to work with all of these businesses across the country.