The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has formalised a strategic partnership with SIC Insurance PLC to deepen industry–academia collaboration and expand experiential learning opportunities for students. On Wednesday, 8 April 2026, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor, led a University delegation to the head office of SIC Insurance PLC for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two institutions.
The UPSA delegation included the Registrar, Mrs Lorraine Buerkie Gyan; Prof. Samuel Antwi, Dr Leticia Acheampong; and Mr Ebenezer Asiedu. The SIC Insurance PLC team was led by its Managing Director, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng, and included the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Maxwell Manfo; the General Manager, Finance and Administration, Mr Kenneth Akolatse; the General Manager, Technical Operations, Mrs Cynthia Kwarteng Tufour; the Head of Legal, Ms Lydia Hlomador; and the Head of Human Resources, Mr Kojo Essel, who serves as liaison between the two institutions.
The engagement followed earlier discussions between UPSA and SIC Insurance PLC aimed at formalising a partnership that strengthens the connection between academic training and professional practice.
Welcoming the UPSA delegation, Mr James Agyenim-Boateng expressed appreciation for the opportunity to formalise the collaboration. He noted that the partnership would enable SIC Insurance PLC to contribute more directly to the development of future professionals by offering practical industry exposure and relevant professional insight to complement classroom learning.
In his remarks, Professor John Kwaku Mensah Mawutor commended SIC Insurance PLC for its commitment to supporting higher education and professional development. He emphasised that strategic partnerships with industry remain essential to enriching academic delivery and equipping students to meet the changing demands of the professional environment.
He further noted that while academic instruction provides the theoretical foundation for learning, sustained collaboration with industry helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by exposing students to real-world business and professional experiences.
The Memorandum of Understanding outlines nine principal areas of collaboration between UPSA and SIC Insurance PLC. These include the development of Ghanaian case studies and localised teaching materials; the establishment of a UPSA–SIC Insurance Innovation Lab; joint research and applied market studies; brand visibility and programme sponsorship; and structured internship and national service placement opportunities for students.
The agreement also covers executive and professional development programmes, commercial insurance partnership arrangements, student scholarship and employment pathway initiatives, as well as faculty and guest lecture engagements involving experienced industry professionals.
The signing of the agreement marks an important step in UPSA’s commitment to building strong institutional partnerships that enhance experiential learning, promote research collaboration, and broaden professional development opportunities for students and faculty.
