The Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) of the University of Cape Coast, has held a Public Lecture under the theme, “UCC@60 in the Horizon: Where is our Research headed?”

The Vice-Chancellor and Chairperson for the Lecture, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong in an address, noted that research was an integral part of the life of every university. He said that with the University nearing 60 years since its establishment, the time was apt take a critical look at the progress and impact of its research. He mentioned that the University has also become eligible for the prestigious global Times Higher Education University Ranking.

The Guest Speaker for the Lecture was Prof. Isaac Luginaah, a Professor of Geography at the University of Western Ontario, a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, and a proud alumnus of UCC. Speaking on research funding in Ghana, he indicated that Ghana needed a dedicated policy for research in the country. “Due to the lack of national research frameworks, Ghanaian institutions are missing out on global funding opportunities,” he lamented.

He pointed out that for the University to become a world-class institution, it must be relevant as a national institution by showing how it serves national goals, and also build strong research systems to claim a place in a wider network. He further encouraged University Management to build more capacity of the workforce in the University to become more research-intensive.

Present at the program was the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dora Edu-Buandoh, Registrar, Mr. Jeff Teye E. Onyame, Director of DRIC, Prof. Frederick Ato Armah, Provosts, Deans, Directors of Directorates, faculty and staff of the University.