The University of Ghana (UG) and Nestlé Ghana Limited on Friday signed a two-year renewable Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer students practical learning opportunities to enhance their skills in the area of nutrition, science and technology.
The Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, and the Programme Manager, Société Des Produits Nestlé SA, Madam Philomena Tan, in her remarks disclosed that the MoU was the first of its kind within the Central and West Africa Region where Nestlé has been functional in over 62 years.
According to Madam Tan, the MoU forms part of Nestlé’s commitment to youth development under Nestlé’s Global Youth Initiative”, which aims to help 10 million young people have access to economic opportunities by 2030 also aligns with the UG’s mission of creating an enabling environment that is increasingly relevant to national and global development through high quality teaching and learning. She noted that the MoU was at the core of bringing to life Nestlé purpose of “enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future”. “Young people, when given the right opportunities to learn become assets to society and contribute to developing nations with their ingenuity and skills set,” she said.
Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana, and the Programme Manager, Société Des Produits Nestlé SA, Madam Philomena Tan, making some remarks
The partnership according Madam Tan would support mutually agreed initiatives including scientific research collaborations that responds to the needs of consumers and industry; and student practical study in relation to the food and nutrition value chain. She was hopeful that the partnership will offer students additional opportunities to improve their skills and practically apply knowledge that will benefit industry and society at large.
Madam Tan also believed the partnership would spur innovation and development; declaring that “As a leading nutrition health and wellness Company, we ensure that we strike the right partnerships that contribute to societal development”.
With regard to some of the benefits for students under the partnership, Madam Tan said students would benefit from industrial attachment with Nestlé specific area of study, opportunities to jointly undertake scientific research and will also share practical knowledge with students in seminars, symposia and guest lecture.
On his part, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Student and Academic Affairs of the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwame Offei was optimistic the partnership with Nestlé would provide students of the University with opportunities for experiential learning and the necessary industry expertise as they enter the world of work. He was excited with the prospects of the partnership and engagement with Nestlé, which he said looks promising.
Prof Offei said the formal relationship between the two institutions would guide them in the way that they operate, partner and conduct their activities.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Student and Academic Affairs of the University of Ghana, Prof. Kwame Offei
“Training of youth is our hallmark and our core activity. And it is one of our strategic core objective as a University to ensure that we incorporate practical knowledge and experiential training in the youth to enhance their skills, so that they would be fit for work as soon as they complete their education in the UG,” the Pro-Vice Chancellor said.
The agreement was signed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Student and Academic Affairs of the University of Ghana, Professor Kwame Offei, the Managing Director of Nestlé Ghana Limited, Philomena Tan, and the Program Manager, Société Des Produits Nestlé SA.
Giving the closing remarks, Prof. George Oduro Nkansah, Director, Institute of Applied Science and Technology, who witnessed the signing on behalf of the University, reiterated the sentiments expressed by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, adding that the MoU will cement the already existing relationship the University of Ghana has had with Nestlé Ghana Limited.
The following Schools and Departments have been earmarked to benefit from this MoU; School of Engineering Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, School of Agriculture, Department of Nutrition and Food Science and Department of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Members of the University community present at the signing ceremony were; Prof. Augustine Ocloo, Dean, School of Biological Sciences, Dr. Cynthia Gadegbeku, Head, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa, Director, Public Affairs Directorate, Dr. Sharon Affrifah, Department of Food Process Engineering, Dr. Henry O. Sintim, IAST, Mrs. Akua Mirekua Nimako-Boateng, Legal Officer, Office of Legal Counsel, Mr. Kojo Kissi Yeboah, IAST and Mr. Benedict Fosu Adjei, Senior Assistant Registrar.
Group picture of officials after the ceremony
Representing Nestlé Ghana were; Madam Agnes Forson, HR manager, Madam Marie Chantel Messier, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, Nestlé Central and West Africa, Madam Deborah Kwablah, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager and Mrs. Audrey Essilfie, Nutrition and Wellness Manager.
