Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo Advocates Stronger Academia–Industry Collaboration for Innovation
Immediate past Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo, has underscored the need for deeper partnerships between academia and industry to accelerate innovation and sustainable development in Africa.
Delivering a keynote address at the 2025 Joint Scientific Convention of the College of Health and Allied Sciences (CoHAS), University of Cape Coast (UCC), and the Convention of Biomedical Research in Ghana (CoBReG), Prof. Owusu-Dabo spoke on the theme: “Promoting Academia–Industry Research Partnership for Innovation and Sustainable Development.”
He emphasized that purposeful collaboration could help strengthen the industrial sector through shared expertise, foster mutual learning between universities and companies, and produce solutions with wide-ranging societal impact.
“As scientists, we must set the African-led research agenda for scientific innovation. We must make deliberate efforts to create intentional research and collaboration,” he urged.
The convention, held at the UCC School of Graduate Studies Auditorium, was themed “Biomedical and Clinical Research in Africa: Connecting Scientists for Future Innovations.” It marked the second CoHAS and the 15th CoBReG joint scientific gathering, attracting scientists, students, and stakeholders in biomedical and clinical research.
Speaking on behalf of UCC Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, the Provost of CoHAS, Prof. Martins Ekor, highlighted the college’s research contributions to addressing pressing health needs. CoBReG President, Dr. Oksana Ryabinina, encouraged participants to leverage the platform for building enduring collaborations.
The event also featured a presentation by Dr. Stephen Moore, a senior lecturer in mathematics at UCC, on “AI in Biomedical and Clinical Research in Africa.” A plaque was presented to Prof. Owusu-Dabo in recognition of his distinguished contribution to academia and scientific research.