Accra Technical University solidified its commitment to doubling its efforts in bridging the gap between digital technologies and education in a conference held on the 15th and 16th of August at the University\u2019s Auditorium.<\/p>\n

The two-day International Conference of Tech Trends and Future Careers (TecFuPro), a collaboration between Accra Technical University, the University of Vaasa, and Vaasa University of Applied Sciences in Finland, provided a forum for experts in the tech world and professionals in academia to discuss issues surrounding trends in digital technology and how it is shaping tomorrow\u2019s innovation.<\/p>\n

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Accra Technical University, Professor Amevi Acakpovi expressed the relevance of digital technologies in dictating the pace of innovation and development in the world. He emphasised that digital technologies could provide solutions to the challenges of today and for that reason needs much more attention than ever. He cited the use of Artificial Intelligence, as one of the emerging digital tools that have transformed industry and academia and therefore called on stakeholders to harness their potential in solving contemporary problems.<\/p>\n

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The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Elizabeth Naa Kwatsoe Tawiah Sackey in her keynote address talked about the role of Technology and governance. According to her, digital technologies are catalysts for transforming societies.<\/p>\n

She mentioned that the conference objectives align with her outfit\u2019s digital development initiative of making Accra a Smart City. She shared the plans of the assembly in collaboration with the Accra Digital Centre to use digital technology to transform the city of Accra in traffic management, Waste Management systems and security. She called for continuous collaboration between government, Industry and Academia as key to Ghana\u2019s development. As such, she mentioned that she looks forward to a partnership between ATU and its partners for future projects in digital technology initiatives. She expressed her keen interest in the outcome of the conference and looked forward to having the conference report.<\/p>\n

The conference featured a panel discussion about how AI is reshaping job markets and upskilling and reskilling. A panellist at the conference, the Dean of the School of Technology and Innovations at the University of Vaasa, Professor Raine Hermans emphasised the need to bridge the gap between education and skills development. He recommended stakeholders take a critical look at the education system and provide ways of incorporating skills development into the curriculum. While he urged participants to take advantage of emerging technologies, he also cautioned not to overly rely on them as they are not to make one lazy but to help increase their output.<\/p>\n