Dr Wilhemina Donkoh, Head of History and Political Studies Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has stressed the need for collaboration between university education with more practical programmes and courses towards the country's socio-economic development. "The universities produce technocrats that are unable to find jobs that they were trained for, because most of the programmes and courses were too academic with little emphasis on practical training," she added. Dr Donkoh made the call at the 12th Intra-college seminar of College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) of KNUST in Kumasi on Wednesday. It was on the theme "50 years of Science and Technology Education in Ghana, interrogating the past and shaping the future." She called on authorities of universities and research institutions to develop and introduce industry-friendly programmes and courses to help bridge the gap between academia and industry. Dr Donkor noted that science and technology education held the key to address the nation's socio-economic challenges and would be ideal for government to inculcate vibrant science and technology policy into its socio-economic development agenda. She explained that such a policy, would ensure a clear-cut definition and direction to science and technology education as well as making government and stakeholders commit the needed resources to invest in such education. Dr Donkoh appealed to government to explore avenues to retain scientists and technocrats by boosting their working conditions since their departure for 'greener pastures' had in the past deprived the country of adequate qualified professionals needed to spearhead its technological advancement and industrialization. Professor Daniel Buor, Provost of CASS, advised scientists to be innovative to contribute effectively to the nation's development process. Source: GNA