The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ghartey Ampiah, has announced that the University has instituted measures to reduce the level of plagiarism in postgraduate research work.
In view of this, he noted that the Academic Board has approved a Plagiarism Policy to be implemented in the 2019/2020 academic year.
Prof. Ampiah made the announcement at the 17th Session of the 51st Congregation held for graduates of the School of Graduate Studies (SGS).
In addition to this, the Vice-Chancellor indicated that the University has purchased the “Turnitin software” to help reduce the level of plagiarism and increase the potency and originality of research output. “Currently, staff and postgraduate students are being trained in the use of the ‘Turnitin software’, he added.
Statistics of Graduating Students
On the statistics for the congregation, Prof. Ampiah said a total of 1, 183 graduates comprising 61 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 186 Master of Philosophy (M.Phil), 10 Master of Commerce (M.Com), 9 Master of Nursing(MN), 633 Master of Business Administration (MBA), 160 Executive Master of Business Administration(EMBA), 4 Master of Education (M.Ed), 6 Master of Science (M.Sc), 51 Master of Arts(MA), 54 Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PgDE) and 9 Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PgCE). He noted that out of this number, 495 students received their training through Distance from the College of Distance Education.
The Vice-Chancellor said Management of the University had not relented on its effort to improve on teaching and learning facilities on campus. He indicated that Graduate Programme Coordinators have been appointed in the Colleges, Faculties and Schools to facilitate postgraduate programmes. He mentioned that seminars on e-learning for postgraduate students were mounted on a consistent basis and had been made user-friendly. “At least once in each academic year, special seminars aimed at improving graduate studies and ensuring completion of programmes on schedule are organised for graduate students where Senior Faculty members take them through the essentials of graduate research work” he reported.
Research Grants
Speaking on Research Grants, Prof. Ampiah said the Samuel and Emelia Brew-Butler GRASAG-UCC fund was established in response to increasing demand by students and SGS for the production of high-quality graduate research and early completion of graduate degree programmes. “The Fund provides financial support to alleviate the financial burden students go through in undertaking their research projects and to produce high-quality research within approved programme duration” he explained. He said 40 students made up of 33 MPhil and 7 PhD students received a total of GH ¢120, 000 as grants to support their data collection.
Future of Postgraduate Studies
On the future of postgraduate studies in the University, the Vice-Chancellor said SGS would increase the enrolment of students into the various postgraduate programmes and also make delivery of courses more flexible. “SGS will continue to bridge the gender gap by rolling out more flexible, career-oriented programmes through our various modes of delivery to make it possible for all who are willing to enrol” he added. He assured that the University library facilities especially, e-library would be expanded for students on campus and off campus. “Contracts will soon be awarded for a state-of-the-art Graduate Resource Centre and Research Commons and we envisage that this will boost graduate studies. We look up to these, alongside the refurbishment of the Main Library building for the next academic year,” he announced. Prof. Ampiah further noted that the University shall continue to explore both local and international collaboration to boost graduate education delivery.
Postgraduate Researchers Are Major Drivers of Innovation and Growth
The Chancellor, Sir, (Dr) Sam Esson Jonah, observed that the advanced knowledge and skills of postgraduates and postgraduate researchers, in particular, were major drivers of innovation and growth. “Products of postgraduate education are, therefore, needed to staff Research and Development Institutions, to drive scientific innovations, as well as high technology manufacturing firms,” he observed. According to him such institutions and firms were the main vehicles through which the results of the research were infused into the local economy, transforming the technical bases of agricultural and manufacturing production. “Postgraduate programmes are essential for training university professors and thus improving the quality of tertiary education, today and for future generations” he stressed.
SGS Producing More Graduates
The Chancellor commended SGS for providing strategic leadership and administrative structures within a diverse group of students and faculty in the graduate field. “The School of Graduate Studies continues to enhance the intellectual life of the University by enabling graduate and professional students to undertake scholarly study and advanced research and to prepare for professional work” he noted.
Sir Jonah reminded the graduands that more innovative ways of doing business and spectacular technologies were emerging and therefore, advised them to be among the 21st Century think thanks who engineer such progress. “The University has empowered you with generic and discipline-specific research, knowledge and skills, employment-related skills and competencies. We will be looking forward to receiving feedback from your communities and the nation as a whole on how you have impacted society with these resources” he implored.
The Chancellor urged the graduates to consider investing in the agriculture sector which according to him has great potentials.