The 2026 Applied Research Conference of Technical Universities of Ghana, ARCTUG-2026, to be hosted by Takoradi Technical University, TTU, took a significant step forward as the Local Organising Committee, LOC, participated in a one-day capacity-building workshop on creating industry-friendly books of abstracts. Participants included LOC members and selected researchers from the university’s faculties.
The workshop, jointly organised by the Secretariat of the Vice Chancellors of Technical Universities of Ghana, VCTU-G, and the Ghana Research and Industry Collaborative, GRIC, aimed to strengthen the conference’s focus on applied and industry-relevant research.
During the workshop, Julius Lamptey, Secretariat Lead at GRIC, presented on the importance of making academic research accessible and useful to industry. Drawing on a 2021 study, he revealed that only three per cent of academic research is utilised by industry, with the remainder largely unused due to overly technical language, unclear practical applications, and limited dissemination.
“Industry prefers concise, results-focused communication,” Lamptey explained. “Research in typical academic formats often lacks readability and does not clearly convey outcomes. For research to be applied by industry, it must communicate its main findings in under two minutes.”
Lamptey, who also serves as Senior Research and Policy Officer at Impact Investing Ghana, advised participants on developing abstracts that effectively communicate the practical value of their work. He emphasised that industry-oriented research should ideally begin with industry input, and where this is not possible, universities can create opportunities for engagement through programmes and community initiatives. This approach ensures research aligns with real-world needs and opens pathways for applied research funding, including through the Ghana National Research Fund. Lamptey concluded by noting that GRIC is available to guide researchers on connecting with industry to maximise the societal impact of their work.
Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, Chairman of VCTU-G, commended the LOC for its proactive approach and acknowledged Takoradi Technical University’s support, emphasising that such collaboration is key to delivering a successful and impactful ARCTUG-2026.
J.M. Oti-Asirifi, Executive Secretary of VCTU-G, highlighted that the workshop has strengthened the link between research and practice, and will guide participants on creating abstracts that facilitate the commercialisation and practical application of research findings.
Prof. Efua Nkrumah, Chair of the ARCTUG-2026 LOC, thanked Julius Lamptey for his presentation and insight, assuring that the guidance will strengthen the quality and relevance of the research showcased at the conference in May 2026.
