The Great Hall was filled with students, industry leaders, and academics for the Technology Week 2025 (TWeek 2025), which was organised by the Department of Computer Engineering to inspire innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.
For Prof. Emmanuel Kofi Akowuah, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, this year’s theme, “From the Breadboard to the Boardroom: Connect, Innovate, Create”, is a call to action.
"As engineers, the breadboard is where we prototype, but the boardroom is where ideas become businesses," he explained. "We want to bridge that gap to take what our students build in labs and turn it into solutions that matter."
Last year’s TWEEK has helped strengthen our industry partnerships, resulting in internships and employment for students, and support for the Department. This year, the stakes are even higher. Over three days, students will showcase cutting-edge projects, participate in hackathons, and engage with industry experts, all with one goal: to turn classroom ideas into real-world impact.
Prof. Kwabena Biritwum Nyarko, Provost of the KNUST College of Engineering, didn’t mince words. "Yesterday’s solutions won’t solve tomorrow’s problems," he declared.
Looking around the room—at government policymakers, industry pioneers, academics, and, most importantly, the students—he saw the ingredients for change. "We must strengthen Ghana’s innovation ecosystem," he urged. "The brilliant ideas born in our lecture halls shouldn’t stay there. They should grow into startups, jobs, and solutions that lift communities."
His message to students? "This is your space. Ask questions. Build networks. Connect with mentors. And never stop learning."
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Rita Akosua Dickson brought both inspiration and a challenge. "What is education if it doesn’t impact society?" she asked.
Celebrating International Youth Day, she reminded students of their power. "You are unique. You are brilliant. Africa’s greatest asset is its youth—and if you fail us, we are in trouble."
Her advice was practical: "Knock on the right doors. Team up. Seek mentors. And if you ever feel lost, come back—we’ll guide you."
Mr. Romeo Bugyei, CEO of IT Consortium, shared his story, which began not in a boardroom, but with a simple question: "How can I solve this problem?"
"I started by writing basic software," he recalled. "Today, that ‘basic’ solution handles millions of transactions across Ghana."
- Connect beyond tech. "Talk to people in business, law, design, even competitors. Innovation thrives on diverse perspectives."
- Solve real problems. "Don’t build solutions in isolation. Find the pain points first."
- Create with courage. "Failure is part of the journey. Learn, adapt, and keep going."
There was a panel discussion on how artificial intelligence and design thinking can tackle real-world challenges. Students and experts discussed ethical AI, user-centred design, and how technology can serve and not overshadow human needs.
The journey from breadboard to boardroom isn’t a straight path. There will be setbacks, pivots, and late-night debugging sessions. But if this week proves anything, it’s that when academia, industry, and driven students come together, extraordinary things happen.
