UPSA launches laptop assembly plant, requires new students to assemble their own devices

The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has recently established a laptop assembly plant at its AFOA ATA Building. This move represents a significant shift towards hands-on, technology-enabled learning for students. The plant aims to address concerns over overly theoretical coursework and equip students with the skills needed for self-reliance.

UPSA's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, emphasized that while the university still teaches theoretical frameworks, practical application is crucial. The plant supports the university's commitment to professional education, integrating academic knowledge with practical skills and innovative thinking.

From the next academic year, all incoming students will be required to assemble their own laptops, which they will use throughout their studies. The university has partnered with Mind Dey Talent and IT Co. Ltd (MDIT), and two other private investors to operate the facility. The university contributed student labor as its equity, avoiding direct capital outlay.

The facility currently produces 1,000 laptops weekly, translating to around 4,000 units per month. This output can be increased with overtime operations. Students have already assembled their first batch of laptops following three days of preliminary instruction.

The plant offers instructional programs ranging from one month to a full year, covering basic and advanced printed circuit board (PCB) and motherboard fabrication, advanced AI systems, and AI agent training. These courses are accessible to all students, regardless of their primary academic focus, provided they have a West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) qualification or an equivalent senior high school diploma.

Beyond academic instruction, UPSA plans to act as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for local businesses seeking to launch their own brands of laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. The long-term goal is to locally produce 30% of the components within three years, contributing to the growth of the technology value chain in Ghana.