The Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies Accra, Prof Abednego F.O. Amartey on Monday, September 9, opened the QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education analyst and compiler of the QS World University Rankings African Forum at the university in Accra.

The event dubbed, QS Africa Forum, seeks to build the capacity of the youth in innovation and technology through the application of AI  and instill an entrepreneurial mindset in the youth to enable them to create jobs to become financially independent.

It is also aimed at empowering participants to make a difference in their various communities across Africa.

Qs African Forum, which was under the theme, 'Empowering Africa's Youth: Integrating Entrepreneurship,  Future Skills, and AI / Technology in Education for a Sustainable Future', brought together renowned researchers, innovators and thought leaders from around the world including university Vice-chancellors.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof Abednego F. O. Amartey said the University of Professional Studies Accra, recognises that the future of Africa lies in the hands of its youth, and has taken significant steps to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to drive sustainable development on the continent.

He said teaching and learning approaches are designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of economic, social, and environmental sustainability stressing that the school encourages students to question, explore, and innovate, empowering them to become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.

Prof Abednego Amartey said empowering the youth is a key focus of the university’s community engagement efforts.

According to him, they provided support to various basic and high schools in the UPSA vicinity, including donating resources such as boarding facilities and learning materials.

 Additionally, the university offered scholarships to deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds (brilliant but needy students), enabling them to pursue their chosen programmes at UPSA.

Touting the university’s achievements, Prof Amartey said as a young and fast-growing university in Ghana, in Africa, it is deeply inspired to incorporate the principle of sustainability into every facet of its mandate to nurture the next generation of leaders and change-makers.

“Our motivation stems from the unique context of our continent which is blessed with abundant natural resources, a vibrant cultural tapestry, and an incredibly talented youth population."

On his part, the Executive Director AMESA QS Quacquarelli Symonds, Dr Ashwin Fernades said the African continent is home to some of the world's most resourceful and creative thinkers and faces hurdles that slow the continent down in its development, citing education for all Africans as one its biggest challenges.

Dr Ashwin Fernades identified a few key points the forum needed to deliberate on including education as a foundation for growth, education giving people power, revealing hidden talents, and encouraging new ideas, adding that education will continue to open doors to a richer, vibrant, and brighter Africa.

According to him, over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, which is approximately 800 million young people, out of the total population of 1.4 billion and that makes Africa the continent with the youngest population in the world.

“We must ensure our institutions don't just prepare students for today's jobs, but they should also give them the know-how and abilities to succeed in tomorrow's fast-changing world,” said Dr Ashwin Fernades.

He was of the view that Africa needs to figure out how to make high-quality education cheaper and easier for everyone, no matter where they come from or their financial backgrounds.

He therefore called for an effective collaboration between governments, institutions, businesses, and community groups that give African youth more opportunities that will help them to unearth their full potential.