A Forum to fos­ter dialogue to drive educa­tional innova­tion and sus­tainable development across the Africa was opened in Accra yesterday.

The forum dubbed Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) is on theme 'Africa's Youth: Integrating Entrepre­neurship, Future Skills, and AI/Technology in Edu­cation for a Sustainable Future.' In his opening remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Profes­sor Abednego F.O.

Amartey, underscored the role of the QS Africa Forum as a platform for impactful discussions and idea ex­changes that shape the future of higher education on the continent.

He stressed UPSA's dedica­tion to fostering entrepreneur­ship, technology, and sustain­ability among its students. "We recognise that the future of Africa rests with its youth at UPSA, we are dedicated to equipping our students with the knowledge and skills necessary for driving sustainable develop­ment," he emphasised.

He outlined how UPSA's teaching methods encourage critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of eco­nomic, social, and environmen­tal sustainability.

According to him, the univer­sity had also invested heavily in digital infrastructure, becoming the first in Ghana to offer ac­credited online distance learning programmes.

The Forum Chairperson and Principal Consultant, Ms Ve­ronica Omeni, said the forums aimed to leverage global best practices while addressing local needs in education.

She empha­sised the importance of making informed decisions backed by accurate data, insights and strong networks. "This summit offers a crucial opportunity to shape the future of education by integrating the best practices from around the world with our local realities," she said.

According to her the forum would explore various critical areas, including fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among youth, adapting education systems to prepare students for the evolving job market, and leveraging AI technology to personalise and enhance learn­ing experiences.

Ms Omeni further pointed out the importance of using global best practices while addressing local needs in ed­ucation, saying, "This summit provides a crucial opportunity to integrate global insights with our local context."  BY AGNES OPOKU SAR­PONG