The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, has announced an increase in the Research Support Grants (RSG) and Best Research Awards (BRAs) from GH¢600, 000 to GH¢100,000 to motivate faculty to contribute meaningfully to society through cutting-edge research.
    
Prof. Boampong made this announcement at the Fifth Research Awards and Grants (RAG) Ceremony where 45 awards and grants were presented to academic and non-academic staff to carry out their research projects in specific areas. 

    The Vice-Chancellor Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong delivering his speech at the ceremony.

Significances of BRAs and RAGs

The Vice-Chancellor explained the Best Research Awards and Research Support Grants to demonstrate the University's commitments to providing resources and support to promote excellence and ensure it's relevance to society. "Many of the research projects funded under this scheme have yielded scholarly research output in high impact journals index in Scopus. This has contributed immensely to making UCC eligible for the Times Higher Education global ranking," he stated.

                   Members of the University community and the general public listening to presentations

UCCRONE/UCCSCHOLAR

To encourage faculty to improve on their research output, the Vice-Chancellor mentioned that the Directorate of Research Innovation and Consultancy has introduced UCC Research Output Monitor and Evaluator (UCCROME/ UCCSCHOLAR) which was the first in Africa. "Through UCCRONE/UCCSCHOLAR, departments/faculties/schools/colleges can track their research endeavours to identify gaps and ways through which these can be plugged. It is a diagnostic tool to guide faculty on how they are faring using key performance indicators embedded in this web application," he explained.

Promoting Quality Research

The Guest Speaker for the ceremony, Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare, urged the University to make a conscious effort and commit a lot of resources to sustain the research ecosystem. Prof. Awandare who is the founding Director of the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana noted that UCC could be more visible and recognised if Management work towards focussing and maintaining research quality. “ When you don’t work towards research excellence, no amount of spin or public relations will save you or make you look good,” he cautioned.

In order to become one of the leading centres of excellence, Prof. Awandare called on the University to take advantage of its numerous partnerships to enhance its goal towards achieving excellence. He said the University must strive to attract the best scientist by providing facilities; creating a vibrant research environment and good remuneration.

           The founding Director of WACCBIP, Prof. Gordon Akanzuwine Awandare,  giving his presentation at the ceremony.

RAG and BRA

Explaining the processes and outcomes of the RAG and BRA, the Director of DRIC, Prof. Frederick Ato Armah,  noted the number of applications had increased substantially since the inception of the awards scheme in 2016. He said the Research Support Grants (RSGs) awarded for 2020 were 14 each for Individual and Group-led; four (4) for Inter-departmental; two (2) for Policy and practice-oriented RSG-University-wide; one (1) for Sam Jonah Library” Others were five (5) for non-teaching senior members; one (1)  for non-teaching senior members; one (1) for the Centre for Gender Research, Advocacy and Documentation (CEGRAD) and four (4) special funding.

Prof. Armah noted that the ceremony would provide an opportunity for research awardees and grantees to share their research output and experiences with policy-makers, academics, industrialists, civil society and the general public for the purpose of national socio-economic transformation.  He congratulated the awardees and grantees then wished those who were unsuccessful better luck in the years ahead.

          The dignitaries who graced the ceremony

The Best Evolving Researcher award was won by Dr. Michael Osei Adu, Prof. Kwame Agyei Frimpong and Dr. Issahaku Adam. They were presented with cash, plaque and a certificate of recognition. Dr. Adu gave a presentation of his research project at the function

             Dr. Michael Osei Adu receiving his awards at the ceremony

At the College level, Dr. Brandford Bervell of the College of Distance Education, Dr. Richard Kobina Dadzie Ephraim of the College of Health and Allied Sciences; Dr. Samuel Kofi Tulashie of the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences and Dr. Hope Pius Nudzor of the College of Education Studies received the Best College Level Researcher Awards (BCLRAs) . Each of them received a cash prize, plaque and certificate of recognition.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong has indicated that the University is reviewing its academic activities to give students practical experience to make graduate programmes relevant to socio-economic and technology development.
    
Prof. Boampong noted that the review would help empower the graduates to be more self-reliant to create their own businesses and employ others.
        
The Vice-Chancellor made these statements at the 4th Session of the 53rd Congregation dedicated to the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). He remarked that “In line with our corporate vision and strategies, we shall continue to galvanize efforts and marshal the required resources to support the course of graduate education at the University of Cape Coast”.

Statistics

 A total of  2,506 graduates from the School of Graduate Studies made up of 91 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 207 Master of Philosophy (MPhil), 21 Master of Commerce (MCom), 9 Master of Nursing (MN), 733 Master of Education (MED), 881 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 9 Executive Masters, 231 Master of Science (MSc), 281 Master of Arts (MA), 41 Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) and 2 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).

Electronic Submission of Thesis

In order to improve postgraduate research, the Vice-Chancellor announced that the SGS, in collaboration with the Sam Jonah Library, would soon implement Electronic submission of thesis/dissertation. “We have a plan to have a fully integrated and robust system where the process from the supervision stage, involving the student and supervisor right down to the final submission of thesis, will be electronic-based,” he added.

The Vice-Chancellor further explained that “What this means, is that, the traditional system of submission of hard copies of thesis, to SGS, would be replaced by an online submission system known as UCCET/D submission platform. In addition to the electronic submission system, the School has also implemented the similarity index, using the Turnitin software, to check for plagiarism and copied work in all theses and dissertations”.

Improving Research

Another innovation he mentioned was that the University through the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy had initiated was the UCC Research Output Monitor and Evaluator (UCCROME) which is an electronic platform, for tracking research impact of UCC faculty members, Colleges, and the University in general

“Based on Google Scholar database, the UCCROME will track and rank the research publications, citation counts, H-index, and i-10 index of faculty members, College, and the University over a given period of time. A major advantage of UCCROME is that it trails our research output from 1960 to date. It is also a diagnostic tool to identify gaps in our research portfolio and output” he explained.

The Chancellor, Dr. Sir Sam Jonah, in his welcome address, congratulated the graduates on their successful graduation. “Today, you have proven to all of us here celebrating you that, you are people that challenge, break out, and re-define boundaries. I am aware that you have braved many different storms to create this pathway of the expression of what is meaningful to you,” he added.

Advice to Graduating Students

Dr. Sir Jonah advised them to remember that every moment was an opportunity to learn from the people around them no matter their status. “Do not underestimate anyone you meet along the way. They may be holding the keys you need to unlock opportunities. In your line of work or activity, pay attention when they do not and be sensitive to the reactions of the people around you,” he advised.

He asked them to build relationships with people who face challenges by being their solution adding that “Be that unique person that sees a gem in what everyone sees as dirt”.

Valedictory Address

The Valedictorian, Dr. Andrews Agyekumhene, noted that though the academic journey was tortuous and difficult, they had to sacrifice quality time with their families in order to concentrate and complete the programme on time. He pointed out that the Corona Virus had a serious toll on their academic work saying “And just when we thought the hustles and bustles of academic life were over and started looking to graduation day, the much dreaded Corona Virus showed its ugly face, almost depriving us of this beautiful day. But in spite of all these hurdles, today, we too can proudly say we have made it”.

Dr. Agyekumhene averred that as they leave the University, they had been shaped with a more global perspective of issues because they were better equipped with specialised knowledge and skills. “And we leave as individuals poised to take on the challenges of Ghana and Africa. And I dare to say we are ready for the challenges of the world,” he noted. He thanked the lecturers for the quality tuition and mentorship they provided them during their period of study at the University.  

Dignitaries

Among the dignitaries at the Congregation, were the Chairman of Council, Mrs. Nancy O. C. Thompson; Omanhen of the Ogua Traditional Area, Osabarima Kwesi Atta II; Omanhen of the Owirenkyi Traditioanal Area, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI. Others were the Pro Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dora F. Edu-Buandoh; Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye Onyame; former Vice-Chancellors, Prof. D. D. Kuupole and Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah. Also present were Provosts, Deans, Heads of Department, representatives of Vice-Chancellors, and Registrars from other Universities.