The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has on Monday 13 February 2023, launched its maiden innovative and incubation resource hub at its main campus in Freetown.

The one-stop resource innovative hub is set to create access to finance for upcoming innovators.

The project includes studios and labs for software and hardware, lab training, digital multimedia production, content library and data bank, design and photography studio and music sound production for commercials among several others.

Speaking at the launch, Dato Raja Aznil Bin Raja Hisham, Chancellor of Likokwing University Malaysia said in today’s world, education is not just about getting the right qualifications but also necessary to develop talents and the full potential of an individual.

He continued that having the next generation with the ability to create and originate would enable Sierra Leone’s youth to utilize new opportunities offered by globalization.

He also noted that at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, they believe it is the responsibility of the University to ensure that students are given every opportunity to get the best academic qualifications, as well as a variety of activities that will develop their talents through industry-related projects that would build confidence.

Hisham further noted that the establishment of the Innovation Hub is the right move, adding that they are honoured to be selected as one of the universities for the initial cohort by the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) and SME implementing Agency (SMEDA).

He maintained that LUCT Innovation Hub is truly grateful for the support from SLEDP, SMEDA, the World Bank and CTI Consulting Limited in making the Limkokwing Entrepreneur Accelerator Platform (LEAP) business incubator space the ideal capacity-building; support the existing culture of entrepreneurship among young people of Freetown in particular and Sierra Leone in general.

Modupe Taylor-Pierce Partner CTI and CEO of BCA Leadership said it is time to change the narrative on university graduates, adding that graduates should now be trained to become content creators and employers through problem-solving.

“We are not only training students to become job creators but we are also announcing to the investors and industries here are the people that you are looking for, those people who can solve the problem that they have,” he stated

He complained that investors and industries have issues finding solutions to their problems, adding that innovative minds can solve problems.

“I believe that years from now, we look back at this incubation as a turning point in the development of Sierra Leone where we move from the country that always asks foreigners to come to solve our problems,” he stated.

Bashir Mohamed Idriss, Coordinator Innovative Hub said the innovative hub is there to provide support for students for them to start up their businesses before they graduate and to also create co-working spaces where they can collaborate their ideas and get access to mentorship support from their lecturers and experts.

He explained that the University is essentially looking at supporting the entrepreneurs to build their derivatives from blemish to finish.

He also noted that the innovation hub tea will help to know exactly how to forge ahead with various plans.