The Vice Chancellor of TTU, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun, has encouraged research grant seekers to collaborate with others in diverse skills and ideas to help create innovative ideas to bring solutions through quality research papers.
He gave the advise while speaking at the two-day Research Workshop organised by TTU’s Centre for Languages and Liberal Studies (CELLIBS) on the theme, “Enhancing Excellence at Takoradi Technical University Through Strategic Collaborative Grantsmanship”.
Rev. Prof. Eshun encouraged participants to realize the importance of collaborative projects which will secure funds for more research endeavors.
“Collaboration is not just beneficial but imperative in the realm of grantsmanship. Collaborative Projects in Grantsmanship bring together individuals with diverse skill sets to generate new ideas and approaches that may not have been possible in isolation. Our individual strengths are formidable, but when combined can tackle Complexities with Comprehensive Solutions. By joining forces, the quality of our grant proposals would be enhanced and attain a higher success rate,” he assured.
He however commended CELLIBS on the organisation of the workshop to promote collaborative grantsmanship for more research endeavors.
“I hope by the end of this two-day programme, participants would have gained the needed skills and appreciate the need to link up to develop collaborative projects that would secure funding for more research projects in TTU as well as enhancing our profiles as researchers,” he added.
Vice Chancellor of Millands State University in Zimbabwe, Prof. Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa, who graced the opening of the workshop indicated that there are five academic pillars that drives successful Universities around the world, but Africa lacks two of these pillars which is innovation and industrialization.
“Universities are driven by 5 academic pillars; Traditional teaching and learning, community engagement, and research but the other two pillars which will take our research output to a meaningful conclusion is to do with innovation pillar and industrialization or enterprise development pillar. Those five are the pillars that are driving all successful university in the developed countries like China, France, UK, USA, are on the pit scale where universities are productive units, business units and where universities contribute to development and are the leads in terms of economy production”, he said
He expressed disappointment with how African researchers usually just leave their research work after published which makes little impact in society.
“In our part of the world, the two pillars are missing, we do research, we publish and celebrate, however, the task is not done. It’s a good beginning to do research and publish but best of all is to create output.”, he added.
Dr. Victor Fannam Nunfam who is the Dean of CELLIBS, in his welcome address said the centre is dedicated to fostering an environment that supports research and innovation, grantsmanship and publication in reputable journals. He said that the workshop signifies the Centre’s commitment.
“At CELLIBS we are committed to providing a conducive environment for grantsmanship, research and innovation and publications in top tier journals, therefore the workshop is a testament to our dedication to nurturing a community of scholars who are not just academically proficient but also adept at translating knowledge into impactful outcomes.”, he emphasized.
He encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions and take advantage of what the workshop is offering.
The 3rd CELLIBS research workshop was designed to equip participants on how to develop manuscripts that fits to be published in high impact journals saw the participation of targeted researchers, scholars, industry experts, lecturers, staff and students of Takoradi Technical University who may be interested in collaborative grantsmanship, research and publication.
Participants were taken through presentations by two resource persons, Dr. Michael Subbey from the University of Education Winneba who did a presentation on the day-one of the two-day research workshop through Crafting Manuscript for top journals in collaborative projects: Mastering the fine details, and Publishing manuscripts from start to finish: Unravelling the nuances.
Dr. Michael Kodom from the University of Ghana, is expected to also do a presentation on the second on the topic; Navigating the Grants Life Cycle: From initial interest to a winning proposal, and From grants award to project success: A collaborative implementation approach.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion where Prof. Ramos Asafo Adjei, Dean of IPELO, Prof. Maame Afuah Nkrumah, Director of Research and Innovation and Vice Dean of CELLIBS Dr. Dzedefo Letsa.
