Republic Bank, UPSA sign MOU to strengthen staff skills and industry-academia collaboration

Republic Bank PLC and the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bolster cooperation between the private sector and academia, with a primary emphasis on professional training and skill enhancement for Republic Bank employees. The agreement is anticipated to furnish bank personnel with access to professional training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives, aimed at updating their knowledge, bolstering their competencies, and elevating workplace performance.

Addressing the signing event held at Republic Bank's headquarters, Republic Bank's Managing Director, Dr Benjamin Dzoboku, indicated that the collaboration underscores the bank's dedication to investing in its human resources. Dr Dzoboku emphasized human resources as a pivotal asset for any organization, stating that institutions desiring sustainable growth must persistently develop their employees.

He affirmed Republic Bank's appreciation for its staff and acknowledged that human capital investment is crucial for leadership cultivation and establishing a robust institutional legacy for future generations. Dr Dzoboku explained that UPSA's expertise would aid the bank in refining its employees' skills and fortifying their capacity to adapt to evolving demands in the banking sector.

The bank's success with the partnership would be evaluated based on the skills acquired by staff and the caliber of products and services delivered to customers, he added. Dr Dzoboku expressed eagerness to receive reports on the execution and impact of the training programs.

On behalf of UPSA's Vice Chancellor, Professor Samuel Antwi, expressed that the MOU aimed to bring industry closer to academia and deploy academic expertise to industry. Professor Antwi highlighted that continuous professional development is vital, as employees who have spent years in the workplace may overlook emerging developments and new practices.

He stated that the partnership would enable Republic Bank staff to update their knowledge and acquire new skills pertinent to the evolving professional landscape. Professor Antwi described UPSA as a professional institution well-equipped to deliver the requisite training and expertise, and the MOU would also encompass other mutually beneficial areas, such as business arrangements and additional forms of collaboration between the two institutions.

He voiced confidence that the partnership would yield tangible benefits for both parties, particularly Republic Bank, as it endeavors to create value for its shareholders. Professor Antwi also noted the institutional connection between the two entities, given that Dr Dzoboku is an alumnus of UPSA. He characterized the partnership as "Republic Bank–UPSA in action" and pledged UPSA's commitment to fulfilling the MOU's various commitments.

The agreement is poised to strengthen the nexus between academic knowledge and workplace practice while forging opportunities for knowledge exchange, professional growth, and skills enhancement. Both institutions pledged to collaborate in implementing the MOU and leveraging their respective expertise to support staff development and long-term institutional growth.