Dr. Patrick Essien Calls on Students to Embrace STEM, IT, and TVET as Pathways to Empowerment

The President of Molex Foundation Africa, Dr. Patrick Essien (PhD), has passionately urged first-year tertiary students, as well as pre-tertiary and secondary school learners, to deliberately pursue studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Information Technology (IT), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as a means to national development and personal empowerment.

Dr. Essien, an Environmental and Space Scientist, Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, former African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Canada Postdoctoral Research Fellow, entrepreneur, and founder of Molex Foundation Africa, made the call during an interactive session with a section of freshers in Cape Coast earlier today.

Addressing the students, he emphasized that in today’s technology-driven and innovation-focused world, STEM, IT, and TVET disciplines form the backbone of modern economies. He highlighted that these fields equip young people with practical, globally relevant skills and create sustainable career opportunities.

“Ghana’s future competitiveness depends largely on the ability of our youth to acquire problem-solving, technical, and digital skills that can drive innovation, create jobs, and provide solutions to real-world challenges,” Dr. Essien said. He further encouraged students to view STEM, IT, and TVET not merely as academic programs, but as strategic tools for nation-building, economic transformation, and self-reliance.

Dr. Essien also reaffirmed Molex Foundation Africa’s commitment to supporting young people through mentorship programs, capacity-building initiatives, and educational projects aimed at nurturing the next generation of African scientists, technologists, and innovators.

He concluded by urging students to seize every opportunity to develop their skills, engage in practical learning, and leverage STEM, IT, and TVET education to unlock their potential and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s growth and development.

For more information, contact Dr. Patrick Essien on 0509865106.