Technical Universities in Ghana have been urged to be more innovative and go beyond publishing academic papers for promotion by focusing on commercialising research output.

This is the only way they can remain relevant and be more agile and responsive to the challenges in 21st-century universities. 

Conference
 

 These were some of the issues that emerged during the maiden Green Building Research Conference hosted by the Cape Coast Technical University on the theme ‘’The Role of Built Environment Professionals in Prioritizing Net Zero Buildings’’. 

Speaking on the topic ‘Managing Intellectual Property (IP) in Contemporary Research’, the Coordinator of the Industry and Innovation Unit of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy of the University of Cape Coast, Mr. Isaac Nketsiah, underscored the need for Technical Universities to develop intellectual property framework to guide their research and scholarly works in order to generate income from the commercialisation of their research output. 

Mr. Nketsiah who was also a guest speaker at the conference was worried that most universities in Africa engage in teaching and basic research activities however, they always miss .opportunities to breakthrough with discoveries and solutions to nib some of the challenges confronting the continent in the bud. He cited the water bicycle by a Takoradi Technical University student; Water Bill App developed by some students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology; Solar handwashing prompting machine by Cape Coast Technical University as examples of innovations and IP assets that can be exploited.

Recommendations

Mr. Nketsiah recommended that technical universities (TUs) should develop and operationalize effective institutional IP policy that provides guidelines on the creation, protection, and commercialisation of IP assets. “TUs need to put in place appropriate support structures such as the establishment of Technology Transfer Office and Business Incubation Services and also include IP as part of the reward system for academic promotion,” he proposed.  

Participants

Present were the Vice-Chancellor as well as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Cape Coast Technical University, the Member of Parliament of Cape Coast North, Hon. Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku; Nana Obokese Ampah I, the Apagyahene of Asebu Traditional Council;  Arc. Forster Osae-Akonnor, President, Ghana Green Building Council, Bishop Peter Kojo Sackey;  President, United Nations Association, Ghana, a representative of the Central Regional Minister, Hon. Mrs. Justine Marigold Assan. 
Also present at the conference were some lecturers from Dr. Hilla Liman Technical University, Tamale Technical University, Koforidua Technical University, Kumasi Technical University, Sunyani Technical University, Takoradi Technical University, Accra Technical University and Bolgatanga Technical University.

The School of Physical Sciences in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry has held a ceremony to honour three retired Professors of the Department for their years of remarkable service and contributions to the University.  The retirees are Prof. Francis Tayman, Professor of Organic Chemistry; Prof. Victor Yao Gadzekpo, Professor of Analytical Chemistry; and Rev. Prof. David Kwesi Dodoo, Professor of Environmental Chemistry.

During the ceremony, the Head of Department, Prof. Victor Atsu Barku, explained that the ceremony was organised to recognize the the three for their hard work, dedication and selfless service and commitment to duty.

He referred to a quote by Albert Pike, saying, “What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us, what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” He noted that the retired professors had over the years distinguished themselves in their various leadership roles in the Department and the School.

Prof. Barku further explained that the Professors were part of the foundation builders and had provided a strong future for the current staff of the Chemistry Department. “They are the heart and hands of the Department upon which both students and staff continue to count their blessings and consolidate their successes,” he added.

Sharing some experiences and pieces of advice at the ceremony, Prof. Francis Tayman urged students to put away any fear of Chemistry and develop a love for the subject. He encouraged them to delve into more research to help develop the country.  He said, “for you to uplift the Chemistry Department, you must love Chemistry. If the country is to develop it will depend upon science and engineering.” Rev. Prof. David Kwesi Dodoo advised that although there would be setbacks, students should be persistent in their studies and research. “We have to stand up, face all the challenges, doing all we can for our country.” Prof. Victor Yao Gadzekpo expressed gratitude to the Department of Chemistry for honouring their work. He advised stakeholders to make Chemistry and science attractive for young people by creating job opportunities in the field of Chemistry. He urged young people to pick up a habit of reading to foster their researches in the field of Chemistry. “I wish to see more chemistry students going into policymaking to make decisions that also favour the study of Chemistry,” he added.

Citations of Honour and gifts were presented to the three retired professors.

Also present at the ceremony was the Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. Emmanuel K Essel, Vice Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Prof. John Kwesi Bentum, Professors, faculty, staff and students.  

The University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held a matriculation ceremony for 129 students from the Ghana Police Service at the Ghana Police Academy in Accra. The students, comprising 99 males and 30 females, who form the Course 50 Cadet Corps of the Ghana Police Academy, are pursuing the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme which is a collaboration between UCC and the Ghana Police Service.

The Vice-Chancellor of UCC, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, whose speech was delivered by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh, noted that the collaboration between the two institutions was aimed at equipping personnel to attain the Ghana Police Service’s vision of becoming “A world-class Police Service capable of delivering a planned, democratic, protective and peaceful service up to the standard of international best practice.”

Prof. Edu-Buandoh noted that the matriculation ceremony marked a significant and symbolic moment in the history of the University of Cape Coast and the Ghana Police Service. She indicated that UCC would not renege on its responsibilities to equip Officers with the quality training that is needed to raise their professional competence in the discharge of their duties to meet international standards. “Let me reiterate UCC’s commitment to joining hands with the Ghana Police Service to enhance the training of personnel of the Service to meet the security, crime, and terrorism related challenges in Ghana and beyond. In doing this, we shall provide quality training to attain the Ghana Police Service’s vision of becoming a world-class Police Service capable of delivering a planned, democratic, protective and peaceful service up to the standard of international best practice,” she pointed out.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor noted that the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme had taken into consideration the gaps in the standards and competencies in the training of Police personnel, adding “It combines traditional training with intellectual education, with the aim of providing broader understanding of security in general; update the skills and competencies of personnel in the areas of strategic research and leadership, as well as national security policy and strategy formulation”.

Prof. Edu-Buandoh implored the pioneer students to strategise, and manage the little time available to them in order to derive maximum benefit from the programme. “Once you have enrolled in this programme, make every conscious effort to finish as a proud Senior Police Officer ready to contribute towards making the Service better than it is today. Posterity will not forgive you if you should fail to achieve this,” she advised.

She urged women on the programme to distinguish themselves to serve as role models for girls in the country to also aspire to become Senior Police Officers.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. James Oppong-Boanuh in his address, indicated that on his assumption of Office, he noted gaps in the training and curricula architecture of the Service. Consequently, he said a training and curriculum review Committee was constituted in 2020 to assess the content and quality of training at all levels. He noted that upon recommendation by the Committee, UCC was brought on board to affiliate the Police Academy to run the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Studies programme. He said the pioneer students constituted a blend of degree holders who in line with administrative requirements, entered the Academy, and others who passed the competitive promotion examination which was organised by UCC.

The IGP entreated the students to take the course seriously in order to adequately prepare them for the demanding responsibility ahead. He reminded them that “UCC has a very high academic standard, and I therefore, expect that you acquaint yourselves creditably to encourage the Police Administration to carry on with subsequent courses”.