The Design Thinking and Innovation Hub (D-HUB) of the University of Cape Coast has commenced a 2-day southwest zonal KIC Agritech Challenge Classic 2023 between the University of Cape Coast and Takoradi Technical University.
The Agritech Challenge Classic in collaboration with Kosmos Innovation Center (KIC) is a 7-month annual training program aimed at developing the interest and building the mindset of students and young graduates to drive systematic change in Ghana’s agriculture sector ultimately.
The Agritech challenge also seeks to provide the youth with the right exposure to the agriculture value chain and provides networking opportunities to build and grow viable solutions to Ghana’s key agricultural challenge.
Dr. Karen Naa Abaka Arthur, The KIC-UCC Faculty Adviser, underlined the pivot role of the competition in helping young agricultural enthusiasts to gain 21st-century skills.
The two universities presented twenty (20) teams each for the regional pitch after which some teams will be selected to advance to the nationals.
Dr. Karen outlined the forthcoming national phase set to unfold in December with the apex offering the prospect of vying for a $50,000 prize.
Dr. Karen Arthur said UCC welcomed the partnership with KIC as it will offer the students more opportunities in entrepreneurship.
“They have resources, we have expertise that we can use, and we have access to a lot of students. So, we believe that this partnership allows us to tread the same force and to support entrepreneurship and career development among today’s youth to create more jobs,” she said.
The entrepreneurship development specialist at Kosmos Innovation Center, Mr. Ato Ulzen-Appiah said the challenge will offer them the necessary training to grow and sustain their ideas and businesses.
He explained that the centre aims to train, transform, support and invest in young entrepreneurs working within the Agric Space.
To him, the training will enable the young people to build innovative and commercially driven solutions that are solving problems in the Agric sector.
It is the expectation of KIC that the competitors will leverage the learning to be able to improve as entrepreneurs.
“Even to the idea that if they don’t win in this competition, what they learn will be able to drive them to build great businesses now and, in the future,” he added.
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Source: Eric Sekyi & Fred Thompson-Quartey
