UDS to get Multipurpose Resource Centre funded at 9.7 Million Cedis by MTN Ghana

Sod has been cut to commence construction works on a Multipurpose Resource Centre, for University for Development Studies (UDS) community, with the entire funding from the MTN Ghana Foundation.

The project valued at 9.7 million Cedis, is expected to be completed within a year. It comprises a modern digital learning facility at the Dungu campus of the UDS, equipped with 70 laptops, a video conferencing facilities and other modern devices, also interconnecting the Nyankpala campus and the outside world.

Speaking at a ceremony that preceded the sod-cutting at UDS, Dungu campus, Senior Manager at MTN Ghana, Robert Kuzoe stated; “By providing access, we are helping to empower and shape students to becoming future leaders who are also creatives, innovators and can transform challenges around them, he said.

The MTN official added; “it is a foundation where Ghanaian youth are equipped to lead in the digital space, considering the fact that Africa has a youthful population with Ghana having 57 percent of its people being on the youth bracket.”

According to Mr. Kuzoe, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge for the nation. “Ghana is making progress with it 1 million coders’ programme, internet penetration has exceeded 58 %, and however, youth unemployment is very high and thus pose a challenge to national development.”

He thereby hoped that completion of facility, fully funded by MTN Ghana Foundation, and subsequent utilization as a Digital Learning, Science, Technology and Mathematics Education (STEM) and Artificial Intelligence AI learning centre, will mark a transformative journey for students of the UDS and the country at large.

Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Seidu Al-hassan, in a statement read on his behalf, applauded the power of synergies formed between an institution of higher learning and the largest mobile telecom provider – MTN.

“When the private sector and academia join forces, a lot can be achieved,” explaining further that; “though refining the initial proposal, this has been elevated beyond what was imagined – the shift has been insightful and innovative, which in the end, will be beneficial to over 30 thousand users,” the VC acknowledged.

According to Prof. Al-Hassan, the digital learning centre was a direct response to USD’s core mandate where theory meets practice.

“This will not be just another building on campus, it is a 21^st century learning centre, a beacon of digital literacy learning facility for in-persons meetings with industry and experts. It will be one-stop-shop for social impact, where we hope to shift students from consumers of information to creative learners. They will be job creators and not seekers, but innovators of a digital future,” Prof. Al-hassan opined.

While commending MTN for being a leader in the delivery of its Corporate Social responsibility across the country, the Vice Chancellor assured that sustainability plans would be drawn for the project, in order for the university community to derive its maximum benefits.

Earlier, the Dean of Students Affairs at UDS, Dr. Umar commended the partnership, birthed in October 2023, through the visionary leadership of his predecessor, Prof. Alhassan Musah, who had championed the idea and buy-in of management and MTN’s supports.

“Imagine a world where students can become creatives, foster personal growth and develop their full potentials, while enhancing their skills creatively?” Dr. Umar remarked and advised the students to enroll onto the MTN Digital Skills programme to develop themselves and becoming relevant for their communities benefit.

Present at the sod-cutting event were, MTN officials namely, Ms Cynthia Mills, Economic Advisor and Ebenezer Tetteh who is Education Advisor while, UDS had Prof. Muniru Iddrisu, Principal of Nyankpala campus representing the VC, Dr. Mohamed Abdul Wayid, Director of ICT and Ing. Kwame Debrah, Director, Works and Physical Development among others.

Story By: Nelson Adanuti Nyadror |www.diamond