In a momentous gathering at the Great Hall of KNUST on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Professor Nathaniel Boso captivated audiences with his inaugural professorial lecture titled International Business: Why Care About Africa? The event not only marked a significant milestone in Professor Boso’s career but also sparked conversations about the role of independent research universities in driving transformative African studies.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Registrar at the Human Resources Division, Mr. Yaw Owusu Asamoah, emphasized the importance of inaugural lectures as platforms for new professors to showcase their contributions to their fields. He highlighted how these lectures celebrate academic accomplishments and serve as forums for groundbreaking research, reflecting KNUST’s commitment to national and international development through innovative initiatives.
Drawing from his extensive research spanning two decades in African business, Professor Boso proposed a transformative strategy during his lecture. He advocated for African nations to emulate the model of Ivy League institutions in the US and Oxbridge in the UK by empowering key universities to lead groundbreaking research.
Professor Boso’s vision aimed to strategically position African universities to foster sustainable economic development through excellence in research and innovation. Highlighting esteemed public universities such as the University of Ghana, the University of Nairobi, and the University of Ibadan, Professor Boso emphasized the need for a shift towards recruiting top-tier international scholars and talented students.
He underscored the importance of providing modern facilities, reliable utilities, ample funding, and a talented pool of collaborators to attract and retain top-tier researchers. In his concluding remarks, Professor Boso emphasized the enduring importance of qualities like humility and kindness, urging the audience to embrace these principles for a fulfilling and prosperous existence.
As the lecture concluded, it became evident that Professor Boso’s vision for Africa’s higher education ecosystem holds the promise of cultivating a culture of excellence in research and innovation, paving the way for transformative advancements on the continent.