Bridging the University-Industry Divide in Ghana: A Case Study of Umat and the Mining and Allied Industries

Abstract

The state of university – industry divide in Ghana hinders the mutual expectations of both universities and industries. Using the University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, as a case, while drawing on broad literature on university-industry relations, this paper found a weak link between universities and industry in Ghana. All twelve (12) Memoranda of Understanding signed between UMaT and academic and non-academic institutions were found to be loose relationships rather than strategic partnerships. This limited opportunity for optimizing potential benefits of a strategic university – industry partnership which the university could leverage on to fulfill its research mandate whilst guaranteeing financial sustainability of the university, was found to be the main reason for low research uptake in Ghana.