Kumasi: Universities and research institutions have been urged to make research outcomes easily accessible to the public to help build industries, power the economy, and enable people to make informed decisions on leadership.
According to Ghana News Agency, Professor Eric Appau Asante, Director of E-Learning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), emphasized the importance of sharing, exchanging, and collectively nurturing knowledge to create a future where wisdom grows through access and collaboration. He made these remarks at the inauguration of two journals for the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) in Kumasi. Prof Asante highlighted that the most powerful nations are those that possess knowledge, which builds industries and powers the economy, rather than those with natural resources like gold, oil, or diamonds.
The event marked the launch of the Journal of Technology Education and Applied Sciences (JTEAS) and the Journal of Applied Social Sciences and Entrepreneurial Education (JASSEE), under the theme ‘Advancing knowledge in TVET and Entrepreneurship Education through Open Access Publication’. Prof Asante stressed the critical role of open access to academic research information in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and entrepreneurship, as they are key drivers of national transformation.
He noted that TVET equips individuals with skills, while research refines these skills into industries, and entrepreneurship creates businesses, but it is knowledge that ensures these businesses survive and expand. Prof Asante also emphasized the importance of journals in the TVET sector, as they guide scholars on what to teach and how to teach it, ensuring that TVET and entrepreneurship remain aligned with societal needs.
Professor Fredrick Kwaku Sarfo, Vice Chancellor of AAMUSTED, in an address read on his behalf, stated that knowledge should be freely available and not restricted. By adopting an open access model, the university aims to ensure that ideas generated both within and beyond its walls are accessible to scholars, policymakers, industry, and communities worldwide. He highlighted that this democratization of knowledge enhances collaboration, drives innovation, and amplifies the societal impact of academic work.
He further explained that the two journals are closely connected to the university’s mandate of providing higher education in TVET and disseminating research results to society. Additionally, he mentioned the university’s vision to become a world-class socially responsible institution for TVET and entrepreneurial development teacher education.