The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy of the University shall consider all matters not covered in this policy. However, the final authority on such issues is vested in the Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Dept host two students from China.
Two students from University of Electronics Science and Technology of China, are currently on two weeks internship programme with the department. This is as a result of an MoU and additional agreement signed between the two Universities. In a brief ceremony to welcome the students, the HoD, Dr. Ayebi Arthur took the opportunity to welcome advised the interns to take advantage of their visit and try to imbibe culture of the UCC.
CRITERIA
- Applicants for postdoctoral training in the University of Cape Coast should be full time employees of a recognized university or research institution.
- Prospective postdoctoral appointees shall show evidence of research activities that shall be pursued during the period of the postdoctoral training.
- Heads of Department shall inform the University management of the link between the research activities of the postdoctoral appointee and that of the Department.
- Heads of Department shall communicate to the Vice-Chancellor the faculty members who shall be working with the postdoctoral appointee.
- Heads of Department shall confirm to the University management the availability of resources such as office space to accommodate the prospective postdoctoral appointee.
- Postdoctoral appointees shall be allowed to take-up an offer only upon signing an undertaking to abide by the University’s regulations and protect the interest of the University in all endeavours, both during and after the postdoctoral training.
- Application of postdoctoral appointees will be considered only if the applicant is within the first five years of obtaining a Ph.D.
DURATION
Postdoctoral appointment shall be granted for a maximum of two years.
FUNDING IMPLICATIONS
The Department hosting the postdoctoral appointee shall show evidence of funding for the postdoctoral uptake. The financial commitment of the University (both immediate and distant) shall be comprehensively identified and communicated to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
- A minimum of two academic journal publications (or its equivalent as per the statutes of the University) shall be produced for a one-year postdoctoral appointment and three for a two-year offer. Postdoctoral appointees are mandated to cite the University as their affiliation on all the publications that shall be produced during the postdoctoral training.
- Postdoctoral appointees shall make a minimum of two presentations per semester during the period of the postdoctoral appointment in the University.
- Postdoctoral appointees in collaboration with the supervisor shall show evidence of a proposal aimed at securing funds to sustain the relationship with the University.
- Postdoctoral appointees shall submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department on their experiences during the postdoctoral training.
- Faculty hosting/working with the postdoctoral appointees shall submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department on experiences during the postdoctoral training and recommendations to improve postdoctoral activities in the University.
RESIGNATION/TERMINATION OF POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING
- Should the need arise for either the University or the postdoctoral appointee to end the postdoctoral training, one month prior written notice is required from the party initiating the termination of the contract.
- The University may terminate a postdoctoral training contract in case of a breach in any of the regulations of the University of Cape Coast.
The National Varietal Release and Registration Council (NVRRC) of the Ministry of Agriculture has approved four new varieties of cowpea developed by a team of researchers from the University of Cape Coast.
The four new varieties are climate resilient and high yielding cowpea genotypes adaptable to the coastal savannah areas in Ghana and will boost high production in the three regions in Northern Ghana where Striga infestation and drought are major challenges to farmers.
According to the Principal Investigator of the project, Professor Aaron T. Asare, who is a Plant Biotechnologist, the approval of the four newly developed varieties was welcoming and would contribute towards ensuring food security and poverty reduction which is in line with government’s ‘Planting for Food and Jobs’ initiative.
The rationale behind the Release of New Varieties of Cowpea
Prof. Asare explained that the team was motivated to develop and select Striga, rust, viral and drought resistant as well as high yielding and early maturing cowpea genotype for farmer cultivation in wider agro-ecological zones in Ghana to meet consumer needs. He said cowpea production in the country was very low in spite of the high consumption of the crop. He indicated that the nutritional value of the cowpea crop was comparatively very healthy adding that, “Cowpea is consumed in most homes in Ghana and it is common to find people patronising waakye or gari and beans”
Characteristics of the Newly Developed Cowpea
Prof. Asare said the new varieties have a short maturity period and they could be cultivated at least two times in a year. He explained that in terms of climate and land, Ghana had the right climatic condition and adequate land for the cultivation of cowpea to meet the demands of the nation and also for export. “Ghana has a wide range of agro-ecological zone, which has not been exploited for cowpea production. Given the needed support, the University of Cape Coast through this project can help the nation produce enough cowpea throughout the year,” he stated.
First Stage of Approval
The approval by NVRRC forms the first stage of the processes leading to the official release of the cowpea to Ghanaian farmers. The NVRRC is the authority responsible for approving the official release of new crop varieties in Ghana based on laid down procedures.
After the first stage of the process which involved the inspection of the newly developed varieties of the cowpea, the committee was happy about the nutritional value and resistance to drought, Striga, rust, and other viruses. As part of the process, the newly developed varieties which are more drought and disease resilient and high yielding would be certified by the National Seed Council (NSC) before being released to seed production companies for onward distribution to farmers in Ghana.
Recommendations By NVRRC
The leader of the NVRRC, Prof. Richard Akromah, said they have recommended to the UCC team of researchers to multiply the seeds and make them available to the farmers since they were the ultimate beneficiaries. He also entreated them to develop a production guide to help farmers and users about the agronomic practices so as to achieve maximum benefits.
UCC Cowpea Project
The UCC Cowpea Project is funded by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It is being piloted in some communities in the Central and Upper East regions of Ghana. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) and Plant Genetic Resources Research Institutes (PGRRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the University of Virginia, USA.
This Policy shall come into effect after it has received approval from the Council of the University of Cape Coast and gazetted by the Registrar of the University.
All agreements concluded by the University and the Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators at an earlier time shall be governed by the provisions of the Policy in effect at the time of the signing of such contracts.