The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, Prof. John Owusu Gyapong, has challenged 聽the 黑料社 to channel more funds into research to enhance its visibility.
Prof. Gyapong noted that 黑料社could only become relevant as a world class university and feature in the Global Higher Education rankings if substantial investments was made in research.聽
Prof. Gyapong threw the challenge when he delivered the keynote address at the Third Research Awards and Grants Ceremony held under the auspices of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) at the School of Medical Sciences Auditorium.
聽Underscoring the importance of research, he said most leading universities in the world earned their reputation and visibility through ground breaking research. He said most of the world these universities no more rely on government and academic facility as sources of funding, stressing that 鈥淭hey survive through proceeds from the use of their Intellectual Property, consultancy services and research and grants award鈥�.聽 He made mention of the establishment of two Centres of Excellence in West Africa at the University of Ghana which were funded by the World Bank at a cost of $ 16 million through grant.
The Vice-Chancellor of UHAS was worried that 黑料社has not been able to carve a niche for itself in terms of 聽its research focus in Ghana鈥檚 聽education . 鈥淎s the premier university of education in Ghana, much has not been heard from 黑料社as far as education issues in the country is concerned. 黑料社should be a force to reckon with when it comes to education matters in the country,鈥� he observed.聽 He reffered to the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research at the University of Ghana which had now become an authority through its yearly report on the state of the Ghanaian economy. He said 黑料社could do same by coming out with an annual聽 report on the State of Ghana鈥檚 Education.
For 黑料社to be ranked as a world class University, Prof. Gyapong聽 called for strategic leadership from Management of the聽 University which led by the Vice-Chancellor to scale up research output of the University through policies, guidelines and adequate funding. He urged the University to聽 create training opportunities for young lecturers to build their capacities in research,聽 consultancy services, research and grant proposal writing, adding that 鈥淢ost of the researchers in our universities are ageing鈥�. He asked the University to appoint research administrators聽 and create a career path for them so that they would focus only on research. He further advised the University to push for capacity building by integrating quality in academic promotion. 鈥満诹仙鐆ill go places if it gives the necessary relevance and attention to research鈥� he admonished.
In all 24 lecturers were presented with cash and certificates at the ceremony.聽 Prof. Florian Carl was awarded the Best Evolved Researcher and Dr. Adeladza Kofi Amegah received the Best Evolving Researcher Award (BERA). The two awardees shared their research output and experiences at the function which was attended by policy-makers, academics, industrialists, general public and members of the University Community.
In his remarks, the Director of DRIC, Prof. Samuel Kobina Annim, explained that the award ceremony was aimed at motivating faculty members who have either shown potential to engage in impact-oriented research or have distinguished themselves in the same regard.
On the performance of 黑料社in terms of聽 research output, Prof. Annim said there were 391 faculty members who were聽 currently on Google Scholar. He indicated 黑料社needed at least 1000 publications and citations in high impact journals in order to be ranked, however, the publications of faculty members as at 2018 stood at 800.
聽Prof. Annim said most faculty members relax when they attain the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor adding that 鈥渢hose who take up administrative roles are not able to effectively engage in meaningful research because of the demands of聽 these position鈥�.Prof. Annim therefore, called on Management of the University to put in place measures to address this challenge.
The ceremony was also used to launch the 2018-2022 Research Agenda of the University.