Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
Hon. Osei Yaw-Adutwum the Minister of Education has commended the leadership of the Winscosin International University Ghana for designing 21st century courses, to ensure the continuity of students from STEM High Schools in Ghana.
The minister said, the inauguration of the state-of-the -art Cybersecurity, Digital Forensic, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and STEM Laboratory is in line with the ongoing government initiative of building a technological environment to drive growth.
“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Wisconsin International University College on this momentous occasion. Your work is not only advancing education but also contributing to the broader goal of building a secure and prosperous future for all Ghanaians”.
The remarkable facility he indicated, represents a significant milestone not only for the School of Computing and Technology but also, for the entire nation as the country continue its journey towards digital transformation and technological advancement.
“In recent years, the landscape of education and industry has been rapidly evolving, driven by unprecedented advancements in technology. In response to this, we must ensure that our educational institutions are equipped with the necessary tools and resources to prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age”.
The new laboratory Hon. Osei Yaw-Adutwum revealed that, is a proof of Wisconsin University’s commitment to providing cutting-edge education and training in Cybersecurity, Digital Forensic, AI, and STEM.
According to him, the importance of cybersecurity in today’s world cannot be overstated. “As we become increasingly interconnected, the need to protect our digital infrastructure and sensitive information from cyber threats becomes ever more critical”.
“This laboratory will play a crucial role in equipping our students with the skills and knowledge needed to safeguard our digital future”.
He pointed out that the integration of AI and STEM into the curriculum is essential for fostering innovation and creativity among the youth.
“These fields are at the forefront of scientific and technological progress, driving breakthroughs that have the potential to transform industries and improve lives”.
He said, by providing students with hands-on experience in these areas, empowering them to become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.
“As we commission this laboratory, I want to reaffirm the government’s commitment to advancing technological development in Ghana. Our leadership in championing the digital transformation of the country is driven by a vision of progress and innovation across all sectors”.
He further stated, “We believe that education is the cornerstone of this transformation, and it is through initiatives like this that we can achieve our goals. As many of us are aware, tertiary education plays a vital role in the development of any nation”.
Hon. Osei Adutwum revealed that, studies have shown that in developed nations, workers with some form of tertiary education contribute to about 60% of the gross domestic product (GDP).
“This is why countries with GTER rates above 40% tend to develop at a faster pace. This is why it is imperative for Ghana to strive to achieve a GTER of at least 40% in order to improve the country’s overall development”.
He noted that, having a higher GTER rate would not only improve the country’s economy but also provide students with the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce. “This would also foster innovation and creativity, which are crucial for the progress of any nation”.
He assured that the Ministry of Education together with the government is dedicated to promoting innovation and creativity among the youth, by implementing policies and reforms that concentrate on STEM education.
“These policies aim to provide students with the necessary skills to succeed in the fourth industrial revolution, leading to a skilled workforce and economic growth”.
He added, “The ultimate goal is to produce a large number of competent, employable young people who will drive Ghana’s socioeconomic progress”.
The NPP government he emphasised, is making a significant investment in education by constructing 5 STEM-based universities at the tertiary level in Ghana’s 5 newest regions.
“This will greatly increase the number of students enrolled in majors that are crucial for accelerating the industrialization of Ghana. This initiative, in combination with other efforts, has the potential to drive scientific advancement in the medium to long term, and bring the ratio of students in humanities fields to the desired levels”.
He said as part of government’s commitment to innovative education, the Ministry have also embarked on an extensive initiative to retool the science laboratories—covering Physics, Chemistry, and Biology—of one hundred and eighty (180) selected Senior High Schools.
Additionally, the Ghana STEM Academy Schools, including Abomosu STEM Academy, Awaso STEM Academy, Kpasenkpe STEM Academy, Bosomtwi Girls STEM Academy, Bosomtwi STEM Academy, Accra High School STEM Centre, and Koase Secondary Technical School, have been outfitted with state-of-the-art laboratories, classrooms, dormitories, assembly halls, dining halls, and other essential amenities to foster a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
“These seven (7) schools collectively enrol approximately two thousand, four hundred (2,400) students pursuing studies in General Science and STEM”.
The advanced infrastructure and supportive learning environments at the institutions the Minister stated, are designed to foster excellence and drive the next generation of scientific and technological leaders in Ghana.
“The Ministry of Education has launched a new program called the Pre-Engineering Program, aimed at providing secondary school graduates with non-science backgrounds the opportunity to study engineering at the post-secondary level. This one-year in-depth course is designed to prepare these students for admission to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree at the University”.
The program he averred is a game-changer that would open doors for many non-science secondary school graduates, particularly those who have the ambition, ability, and mind to be trained as engineers.
“This will help to drive industrialization in our beloved country. I am proud to say that Ghana is already making great strides in improving our educational landscape, and is committed to building a world-class education system that will rival that of any other nation”.
“I would like to commend the leadership of Wisconsin International University College for their vision and dedication in establishing this laboratory. Your efforts are instrumental in ensuring that Ghana remains competitive on the global stage” .
He acknowledge the faculty and staff whose hard work and commitment have made this initiative a reality. “Your dedication to excellence in education is inspiring, and it is through your efforts that our students will be able to reach their full potential” .
To the students, the Minister encouraged them to make the best use of the opportunities provided by the laboratory and exploring the possibilities and strive for excellence since their efforts today would shape the future of the nation.
The President of Winscosin International University Ghana, Professor Obeng Mireku said the state-of-the-art laboratory dedicated to Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, STEM, and Artificial Intelligence is one of only two such facilities in Africa.
Prof. Mireku said Wisconsin International University College has consistently been at the forefront of delivering quality education by providing practical skills laboratories that enhance teaching and learning.
“These facilities are crucial in equipping our graduates with the skills necessary to thrive in the job market. Not long ago, we launched an ultra-modern skills lab for the School of Nursing and Midwifery as well as a state-of-the-art broadcasting studio for the School of Communication Studies solidifying our reputation as the premier choice for experiential learning in Ghana.”
He said the launch is a cutting-edge lab for Information and Communication Technology education further underscores the university’s commitment to excellence.
“Our new laboratory will focus on critical areas such as Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Artificial Intelligence, and STEM, representing a remarkable advancement in technology education in Ghana, demonstrating our dedication in significantly contributing to the nation’s ICT education”.
He disclosed that the laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge technology and modern equipment designed to support advanced research, practical learning, and professional development in the realms of cybersecurity, digital forensics, and STEM disciplines.
Prof Mireku added that the Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics laboratory is designed to be an innovative space where students and professionals can engage in hands-on learning and advanced research. “The facility features the latest in forensic analysis tools, threat detection systems, and secure computing environments. This will empower users to simulate and analyze real-world scenarios, enhancing their capability to handle cyber threats and digital crimes effectively”.
“Our motivation for establishing this advanced training facility is driven by the rapid digitalization of our country, led by His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana. Across Ghana, we are witnessing an unprecedented adoption and use of digital products and services.”
The digital transformation he said, is a positive step forward for the nation, as it transitions from manual processes to digitalization.
“However, this progress comes with the heightened risk of cybercrime as digital technologies become more sophisticated, so to do the modus operandi of smart cybercriminals, critical Information Infrastructure systems such as Health Information Systems, Identification Information Management Systems, and utilities are increasingly at risk. For this reason, ensuring a safe cyberspace requires a collective effort of all stakeholders”.
In response to this growing need, Wisconsin International University College has made a substantial investment in our new cybersecurity and digital forensics laboratory. This facility positions us as a key partner for the Government and the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in building capacity and sharing knowledge to create a safer digital Ghana.
“Permit me to use this opportunity to invite all corporate organizations to enroll on our new MSc programmes in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics, ICT and Business Computing in order to take full advantage of this facility in building the capacity of their staff right here in Ghana at reduced costs, while maintaining international standards”.
The benefits of utilizing the laboratory he mentioned, are immense and can significantly enhance any organization’s cybersecurity posture and technological competencies.
“For your information, also commencing this coming academic year in August are three new postgraduate programmes in the School of Nursing and Midwifery; namely, the MSc Nursing, which is a one-year programme and the MPhil in Nursing and MPhil in Midwifery, which are both two years each”.
He said with the lab in action, it would help both government and cooperate institutions to enhanced crime resolution, improved operational efficiency, professional development, research and collaboration.
Furthermore, the center will offer consultancy services to corporate firms and government agencies, aiding them in curbing cybercrime by leveraging our expertise and advanced tools, we can work together to develop robust strategies and solutions to safeguard our digital infrastructure.
“This laboratory we inaugurate today is the first of its kind in West Africa. It is equipped with state-of-the-art software and hardware for investigation and analytics, and it will play a vital role in supporting the Government’s efforts in combatting cybercrime,” he stated.
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