The University for Development Studies (UDS) in Tamale is set to benefit from a major investment in digital education and student welfare following the approval of a $615,000 by the MTN Ghana Foundation for the construction of a Multi-purpose Student Resource Centre at the Dungu Campus.
The project, which will be the Foundation’s biggest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative in Northern Ghana since its establishment in 2007, is scheduled for a sod-cutting ceremony in late September 2025. Ahead of the event, a Digital Skills Academy will also be held to introduce participants to emerging fields in technology.
Championed by the Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Alhassan Musah, the project is designed to transform learning at UDS by enhancing digital literacy, STEM, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) education, while creating a vibrant hub for innovation and social interaction.
The single-storey building will feature an integrated ICT and digital skills hub fitted with world-class technology, training facilities in AI, Robotics, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), and a Conference and Innovation Centre to foster interactions with industry experts. Additional facilities include a snack bar and relaxation space for students, as well as eight modern washrooms, with provisions for persons with disabilities.
According to Prof. Musah in a statement on the UDS website, the facility was conceived to bridge the gap between theory and practice in higher education.
“In keeping with our mandate, this Centre will offer a great pathway to equip our graduates with the skills and competences necessary for the fast-changing job market,” he said. “It will transform our students from mere information consumers to creative problem solvers and innovators. Beyond that, it will provide a welcoming outlet for students to interact, socialize, and build strong networks for the future.”
He also expressed gratitude to the MTN Foundation, describing the initiative as a timely intervention that will redefine digital education at UDS.
Since its launch in 2007 in Tamale, the MTN Ghana Foundation has made significant contributions to development across the country, with focus areas in health, education, and economic empowerment. Notable CSR investments in Northern Ghana include the Gh¢2.8 million 600-bed girls’ dormitory at Tamale Senior High School commissioned in 2021, and a Gh¢335,000 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Tamale Teaching Hospital commissioned in 2015.
Through this new partnership, UDS joins the growing list of institutions benefiting from the Foundation’s vision of empowering communities and shaping Ghana’s future through sustainable investments.
Source: www.KumasiMail.Com/JosephZiem
