Fanaka International University College, an affiliate of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana Investment and Securities Institute (GISI) to strengthen the link between academic training and professional practice in finance and investments.
The partnership, signed under the theme “Bridging Academic and Professional Excellence in Finance and Investments,” seeks to align academic programmes with industry standards, enhance students’ professional development, and equip graduates with the practical skills required to thrive in the financial services sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Rector of Fanaka International University College, Professor Samuel Agyei-Ampomah, said the collaboration was a deliberate effort to address the longstanding gap between university education and the practical demands of industry. He observed that higher education has often been criticised for producing graduates with strong theoretical knowledge but limited exposure to the realities of the workplace.
Professor Agyei-Ampomah stressed that academic excellence must go beyond the acquisition of qualifications to include professional competence and readiness for the job market. He said the partnership with GISI would strengthen the institution’s Master of Science (MSc) in Finance programme by aligning its curriculum with professional standards and creating pathways for students to pursue relevant industry qualifications and licensing opportunities, subject to applicable requirements.
He further highlighted the potential for international professional mobility through exposure to globally recognised qualifications and professional development opportunities. According to him, the collaboration would also give students and faculty access to current industry knowledge, emerging asset classes, and developments in financial markets, preparing graduates to respond to the changing demands of the investment landscape.
The Chief Executive Officer of GISI, Lawyer Alexander Williams, said the agreement was designed to establish a structured collaboration between academia and the financial services industry, with particular emphasis on practical learning and professional development. He explained that the partnership would promote curriculum benchmarking, practitioner engagement, student orientation, research dialogue, and capacity building within the securities market.
Mr Williams noted that the collaboration would be particularly beneficial to students pursuing the MSc in Finance programme, as it would expose them to professional expectations beyond the classroom. He added that GISI’s professional training and qualification pathways were intended to promote high ethical standards, technical competence, and continuous professional development among practitioners in the capital market. He encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the partnership to build careers in the financial services industry.
The Board Chair of GISI also welcomed the agreement, describing it as a significant milestone for the institute and its efforts to strengthen professional education through partnerships with academic institutions. He disclosed that the agreement was the institute’s first formal partnership of its kind with a university, describing it as an important step towards its vision of becoming a leading professional institute for securities and investment education in West Africa.
He said the collaboration would help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry experience while contributing to the development of skilled professionals for Ghana’s securities industry. The Board Chair further noted that the capital market plays an important role in economic development by providing businesses with opportunities to raise capital and supporting broader investment activities.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would benefit both institutions and contribute to building the human capital needed to strengthen Ghana’s financial sector.
The collaboration is expected to create opportunities for closer engagement between academic and industry professionals, improve students’ exposure to the securities market, and support the development of a skilled workforce capable of meeting the evolving needs of Ghana’s investment industry.
Story by : Belinda Anim-Piesie
