Accra: Lancaster University Ghana has officially launched the 'Ready to Scale Business Innovation Hub Programme', a strategic initiative designed to foster student entrepreneurship, transform innovative ideas into sustainable businesses, and boost job creation across the region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the programme was inaugurated by Dr. Gloria Sraha, Head of the Business Studies Department at Lancaster University Ghana. The initiative aims to close the gap between innovation and commercial impact by providing students with essential entrepreneurial skills, mentorship, and industry support. This launch took place during the University's engagement event titled 'Brunch with Corporates', which saw participation from leading corporate institutions, government bodies, faculty members, and students.
The event was themed 'The Quadruple Helix in Practice: Strengthening Academia, Community, Business and Government Collaboration in Ghana.' Dr. Sraha highlighted the initiative as a significant move towards cultivating a new generation of innovators capable of addressing real-world challenges and contributing to the economic growth of Ghana. She emphasized that the programme celebrates more than just entrepreneurship; it embodies creativity, innovation, and the boundless potential of young individuals to impact society through enterprise.
The 'Ready to Scale Programme' serves as a platform where innovative ideas can be nurtured, tested, refined, funded, and eventually developed into scalable businesses that create jobs and attract investments. Dr. Sraha underscored the importance of universities acting as catalysts for innovation and collaborating closely with industries to tackle society's pressing challenges.
In light of the rapidly evolving work environment, driven by advancements like Artificial Intelligence and data analytics, Dr. Sraha stressed the necessity for graduates to cultivate entrepreneurial mindsets alongside academic prowess. She reiterated that entrepreneurial thinking is now an essential skill and that universities have a duty to prepare graduates not only for employment but also to generate employment opportunities for others.
Through the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub, students will receive practical training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and the confidence required to turn innovative ideas into sustainable ventures. However, Dr. Sraha pointed out that achieving these objectives requires partnerships among academia, industry, government, and communities, describing it as the 'Quadruple Helix' approach to innovation. She advocated for stronger collaborations to ensure that research and innovative ideas transition from the classroom to commercially viable enterprises.
Dr. Sraha called on policymakers and development partners to sustain efforts in creating an environment that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and business development among young people. The programme's success will be measured not only by the number of businesses established but also by the jobs created, communities transformed, and lives positively impacted. She concluded by inviting stakeholders to think bigger, collaborate more intentionally, and invest in the entrepreneurial potential of Ghana's youth.