DEHSE-UEW Equips Students in Waste Management and Entrepreneurship
The Department of Environmental Health and Sanitation Education (DEHSE) at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), has taken a significant step towards addressing waste management challenges by equipping students with essential knowledge and skills to turn these challenges into business opportunities.
A seminar, held at the Institute for Educational Research and Innovation Studies (IERIS) Conference Room on Thursday, 25th July, 2024, aimed to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs in the environmental health and sanitation sector.
The seminar, chaired by Prof. Jones Apawu, highlighted the pressing need for effective waste management practices and the importance of entrepreneurial skills among students.
Prof. Apawu underscored the country's poor waste management record and urged students to take the lead in promoting change. He stressed the necessity of understanding different types of waste and the appropriate methods for managing them.
Dr. Florence Esi Nyieku, a lecturer at DEHSE-UEW, explained that the event aimed to bridge the gap between classroom teaching and practical exposure. The seminar focused on industrial attachment, community outreach, and entrepreneurship training.
Dr. Nyieku highlighted the significance of entrepreneurial education, citing research from Egypt which revealed that 75% of entrepreneurs were involved in businesses related to solid waste management. She emphasised, "Entrepreneurial education aids students of all socioeconomic backgrounds to think outside the box and nurture unconventional talents and skills that lie buried."
Dr. Nyieku expressed optimism about the seminar's impact, stating, "We are very hopeful that pretty soon we will be able to have business tycoons emerge from this department."
The seminar featured two insightful presentations from industry partners. Ms. Susanna Martinson, Municipal Environmental Health Officer at the Effutu Municipal Assembly (EMA), shared practical insights on the challenges and opportunities in managing solid waste in the municipality. She highlighted the need for effective waste collection, sorting, and disposal methods, and emphasised the importance of community engagement and education in promoting sustainable waste management practices.
Ms. Martinson also touched on the economic benefits of proper waste management, citing successful waste-to-wealth initiatives in other countries. She encouraged students to explore innovative solutions to waste management challenges and to consider entrepreneurship opportunities in the waste management sector.
Ms. Linda Oduro-Amoaning, Business Advisor at the Business Advisory Centre of the EMA, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on entrepreneurship opportunities in the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) space.
She underscored the need for sustainable and innovative solutions to address the sanitation challenges facing the country and encouraged students to think creatively about developing businesses that address these challenges.
Ms. Oduro-Amoaning shared examples of successful entrepreneurs in the WASH sector, highlighting the potential for job creation, economic growth, and improved public health outcomes. She also discussed the importance of networking, mentorship, and access to funding in supporting entrepreneurial ventures in the WASH sector.
Both presentations sparked lively discussions and questions from the participants, with students and faculty members engaging with the presenters on various aspects of waste management and entrepreneurship. By empowering students with knowledge and skills, DEHSE-UEW is fostering a new generation of entrepreneurs to address waste management challenges and promote sustainable practices in the environmental health and sanitation sector.
