UEW and AyaHQ Partner to Boost Web3 and Student Startups
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) on Monday, 12th January, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AyaHQ, a Web3-focused innovation hub, to deepen collaboration in emerging technologies, student entrepreneurship and global talent development.
The MoU, signed at the North Campus of the UEW, sets the framework for a strategic partnership to equip UEW students with industry-relevant digital skills, nurturing innovation-driven mindsets and positioning the University as a key contributor to Africa’s growing Web3 and digital economy.
The agreement outlines joint initiatives including the co-creation of founder pipelines to support student-led startups, organisation of hackathons to identify and incubate high-potential student innovators, development of industry-informed curricula on emerging technologies and the creation of talent standards that enable global companies to confidently engage African Web3 talent.
The partnership will also provide UEW students with access to global remote work opportunities while strengthening the University’s visibility within international technology ecosystems.
Welcoming the AyaHQ delegation, Prof. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of UEW, expressed the University’s enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting that discussions leading to the MoU had been thorough and purposeful. She emphasised that the University was keen on seeing tangible outcomes beyond the formal signing, particularly those that directly benefit students.
“We want to see the implementation of the ideas captured and for our students to eventually benefit. We also hope that the solutions AyaHQ brings will be extended to the University and possibly grow into a long-term partnership,” she added.
Mr. Eric Annan, founder and Lead Chief Executive Officer of AyaHQ, described the partnership as a shared commitment to transforming how young Africans are prepared for the future of work through technology-driven innovations. He highlighted UEW student John Okyere as a practical example of the impact AyaHQ seeks to scale through institutional partnerships.
Tracing the motivation behind AyaHQ, Mr. Annan explained that the hub was founded to address Africa’s limited participation in global technology value chains and to empower young people to become problem-solvers and creators of scalable solutions.
“Our goal is to transform young people in Africa into value net producers who use their minds and technology to create solutions. Certificates alone do not solve problems; the ability to solve problems is what makes one valuable,” he stressed.
He outlined AyaHQ’s three-pronged approach: Aya Lab, which runs innovation challenges to identify founder-minded students; incubation services that refine ideas and prepare startups for global and local investors and innovation residences in Accra and Kenya that provide collaborative spaces for builders to live and develop solutions.
“The ultimate goal of the University is to produce efficient and productive alumni. Through entrepreneurship and innovation, students can become thinkers and builders who eventually give back to their alma mater and society,” Mr. Annan said, describing the collaboration as a win-win arrangement.
Prof. Delali Kwasi Dake, Head of the Department of ICT Education, UEW, lauded the MoU as timely, given the rapid global shift towards digital and Web3 technologies. He noted that UEW could not afford to lag in these emerging areas. He added that the partnership would provide critical infrastructure and practical exposure for students including hackathons, blockchain-oriented training and incubation opportunities with benefits extending beyond the Department of ICT Education to the entire University community.
“The benefits will also extend to other faculties including the Business School,” Prof. Dake stated.
Offering a student perspective, Mr. John Okyere, a Level 300 ICT Education student, shared his experience with AyaHQ, describing it as a transformative platform that exposed him to global networks, industry experts and founder-oriented thinking. “Through AyaHQ, we came together, formed teams, tested ideas and learned how to think like founders. I have interacted with people from different countries and it has changed how I see innovation in Africa,” he said.
Mr. Okyere revealed that his engagement with AyaHQ had inspired practical solutions within the education sector including work on a decentralised transcript management system using blockchain technology to enhance data privacy and credential verification.
Under the MoU, AyaHQ will maintain regular communication with UEW, organise student hackathons, develop emerging technology curricula in collaboration with UEW faculty and jointly explore the establishment of an investment vehicle to support incubated startups. UEW, on its part, will provide a talent pipeline, promote AyaHQ initiatives through its communication channels and support activities to ensure the success of the partnership.
