Search

Employees of the University Engaging in Research in UCC

  1. All rights in Intellectual Property devised, made or created by an employee of the University in the course of his or her duties and activities of employment shall generally belong automatically to the University.
  2. If an employee of the University creates Intellectual Property outside the normal course of his or her duties of employment, with a significant use of University Resources, he or she will be deemed to have agreed to transfer the IP Rights in such Intellectual Property to the University as consideration for the use of University Resources. Generally, use of library facilities, facilities available to the general public and occasional use of personal office equipment and office space may not be considered as a significant use.
  3. Intellectual Property, as defined in Paragraph 6.1.1., created in the course of, or pursuant to a sponsored research or other type of agreement with a third party, shall initially belong to the University and then ownership shall be determined according to the terms of such agreements (in accordance with Section 5).
  4. Section 6.1 shall apply to student employees of the University.

Employees of the University Engaging in Research in Other Institutions

Rights related to Intellectual Property that is created during an academic visit by the employee of the University to another University shall be governed by an agreement between the University and the other University (in accordance with Section 4.6.).

Non-employees of UCC

Visiting Researchers are required to transfer to the University any Intellectual Property they create in the course of their activities arising from their association with the University. Such individuals will be treated as if they were University employees for the purposes of this Policy, except in special circumstances.

Students

Students who are not employed by the University shall own all Intellectual Property and associated IP Rights they create in the course of their studies. However, the following exceptions shall apply.

  1. If a student is offered a studentship sponsored by a third party under a separate agreement, under which the third party has a claim on Intellectual Property arising from the studentship, the student must agree that the Intellectual Property shall initially belong to the University and ownership will then be determined in accordance with the terms of the agreement concluded with the third party.
  2. Intellectual Property created by students in the course of, or pursuant to, a sponsored research or other agreement with a third party shall initially belong to the University and ownership will then be determined in accordance with the terms of the agreement concluded with the third party.

  3. If a student creates Intellectual Property with the significant use of University Resources in connection with his or her research activity, he or she will be deemed to have agreed to transfer the IP Rights in such Intellectual Property to the University as consideration for the use of University Resources.

  4. The University shall claim ownership of all Intellectual Property created in the course of postgraduate (doctorate) students’ research activity.

Students shall be given the option to assign IP Rights to the University and shall then be granted the same rights as any employee Inventor as set out in this Policy. In such cases, students should follow the procedures set out in this Policy.

All rights in Copyrighted Works are owned by their creators regardless of the use of University Resources. Copyrighted Works specifically commissioned by the University or developed in the performance of a sponsored research or other third party agreement shall constitute an exception where the provisions of such agreements shall be taken into account.

If the University cannot, or decides not to, exploit any Intellectual Property to which it lays claim, it shall forthwith notify the Inventor(s). The notification shall be made at least one month prior to any act or any intentional omission liable to prevent the obtainment of protection. In such cases, the Inventor(s) shall have the option to acquire related IP Rights; however, the University may claim a share from the income of any subsequent exploitation of the Intellectual Property to the extent equalling the verified expenditures of the University incurred in connection with the protection and commercialisation of such IP. The University may also claim for a perpetual non-exclusive royalty-free license for research purposes without the right to business exploitation and without the right to sub-license. The University may also claim for a percentage between 5-20%, on a case-by-case basis, of any net income generated by the Inventor(s) from the commercialisation of the Intellectual Property. The University shall not unreasonably withhold or delay an assignment of the IP Rights to the Inventor(s).

Requests for any transfer of rights from the University to the Inventors(s) or any other third party shall be made, in the first instance, to the person or unit designated by the University.

CRITERIA

  1. Postdoctoral fellows 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 during the postdoctoral training.
  2. Postdoctoral fellowship must be undertaken within five years of obtaining a Ph.D. This implies that the regulation for study leave, if the applicant is so bonded, shall be extended.
  3. Prospective postdoctoral fellows, at the time of making an application, should necessarily, be affiliated (full-time professional engagement) to one of the colleges in the University.
  4. In granting an offer for a postdoctoral fellow, preference shall be accorded to applicants:
    1. Pursuing postdoctoral opportunities in Universities/Research Institutions other than the institution in which the doctoral degree was obtained;
    2. Seeking postdoctoral fellowship based in foreign universities;
    3. Received their Ph.D. from the University of Cape Coast;
    4. Yet to proceed on sabbatical leave;
    5. Less than 45 years; and
    6. Demonstrated research aptitude (evidence of working papers).

DURATION

Faculty in the University, on a case-by-case basis, may be allowed to undertake a postdoctoral training for a maximum of two (2) years.

FUNDING IMPLICATIONS

  1. Postdoctoral fellows shall continue to attract their basic salary during the period of the postdoctoral training.
  2. Premised upon clause (a), postdoctoral fellows shall be obliged to serve the University upon completion of the postdoctoral training. The period for serving the University shall be determined by the duration of the postdoctoral training. One-year postdoctoral fellowships shall attract a bond of a year and two-years postdoctoral offers shall attract a three-year bond.
  3. Premised upon clause (b), bond for study leave and postdoctoral engagement shall be cumulatively determined. Thus, faculty with outstanding bond shall add on the expected bond for engaging in postdoctoral fellowship.
  4. Postdoctoral fellows shall not be entitled to allowances received by Faculty in the University.

EXPECTED OUTCOME

  1. 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 fellows are mandated to cite the University of Cape Coast as their affiliation on all publications that shall be produced during the postdoctoral training.
  2. Postdoctoral fellows shall show evidence of a proposal aimed at securing funds to sustain the relationship with the University.
  3. Postdoctoral fellows shall submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Deaprtment on their experiences during the postdoctoral training.

RESIGNATION/TERMINATION OF POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING

Postdoctoral fellows who decide to terminate the postdoctoral training shall expressly communicate the reasons as well as the likely consequences of their decision to the University.

It is the responsibility of the Researcher to ensure that prior to commencing any research activity in collaboration with any third party, the terms and conditions of cooperation be set forth in a written agreement (hereinafter referred to as Research Agreement).

Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators shall not have the right to enter into a Research Agreement with third parties on behalf of the University unless they are authorised to do so by an official representative of the University. Concerning third party agreements, the University shall introduce a framework for the internal procedure of managing agreements.

Persons acting for, and on behalf of, the University shall exercise all due diligence when negotiating agreements and signing contracts that may affect the University’s IP Rights. In this context, the University shall put in place an appropriate procedure or appoint a unit to ensure that the interests of the University are represented in a sufficient degree.

In certain cases, it may be beneficial to the University to enter into Research Agreements that are exceptions to the provisions of this Policy with external sponsors of research and other third parties.

Depending on the relative intellectual and financial contributions of the University and the third party to the conception of the Intellectual Property, it may be appropriate for either cooperating party to obtain certain IP Rights and/or share in the revenue generated from its commercialisation (details on inventors’ research share are shown in section 10 of this document). Unless otherwise stated, the principal investigator or team leader is responsible for developing modalities for sharing the revenue prior to the commencement of the initiative. A copy of the modalities for revenue sharing should be, a priori, lodged with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) at DRIC.

The Deputy Director (Research and Innovation) shall have immediate responsibility for the IPO.

The IPO shall perform the following functions:

  1. Provide administrative support to an ad hoc committee comprising the Inventor, Provost of the College to which the invention belongs, an expert in the area of the invention and the Deputy Director (Research and Innovation) at DRIC.

  2. Review applications for grant of patent for inventions and register utility models and industrial design.

  3. Review applications for the registration of marks (including internet domain names as marks), geographical indications, and integrated circuits.

  4. Register technology transfer arrangements, settles disputes involving technology transfer payments, and develop and implement strategies to promote and facilitate technology transfer.

  5. Promote the use of patent information as a tool for technology development.

  6. Publish regularly the patents, marks, utility models, and industrial designs issued and approved, and the technology transfer arrangements registered.

  7. Coordinate with other government agencies and the private sector to strengthen the protection and enforcement of IP Rights in the University. 

  8. Administratively adjudicates cases affecting intellectual property rights.

In the absence of such an agreement defined in Section 5.1., it is the policy of the University that IP Rights shall be distributed among the cooperating parties in the proportion that reflects the proportions of contribution to the creation of the Intellectual Property.

In order to enable the cooperating parties to establish such proportions defined in Section 5.6 and to prevent subsequent disputes, it is expedient that the parties maintain regular, well- documented records of the research activities pursued, signed by all of them.

The agreement set forth in Section 5.1 shall include, inter alia provisions with respect to the following:

  1. IP and associated rights already existing at the University prior to entering into the agreement;
  2. IP and associated IP Rights arising from research activities set out in the agreement, after entering into it;
  3. Confidentiality requirements;
  4. Terms of public disclosure; and
  5. Other relevant provisions.

Any confidentiality provision of a Research Agreement aiming at the delay of public disclosure for the purpose of protection should not usually have effect for longer than 12 months from the time the concerned party is notified of the intent to publish.

Before execution by appropriate designated authority, the full copy of the proposed agreements and other legal statements concerning the University’s IP Rights shall be submitted to the person or unit designated by the University for advice.

  1. Provosts in collaboration with Heads of Department and Deans of Faculty/School shall supervise the administration of postdoctoral activities in their respective colleges.
  2. Heads of Department are to ensure that the research activities to be pursued during the postdoctoral training fit into the overall research agenda of the department.
  3. The offer of postdoctoral training shall be contingent on the strength of the department at the time of the application. Heads of Department shall expressly state the implication of the postdoctoral training on teaching, research and community services in support or otherwise of applications submitted.
  4. Provosts shall submit the following documentation to the Vice-Chancellor for final approval.
    1. Letter of appointment (Postdoctoral appointees) and offer (Postdoctoral fellows). The letter shall categorically provide information on the following:
      1. Proposed research activities to be undertaken during the period of the postdoctoral training.
      2. Duration of the postdoctoral training.
      3. Funding sources.
    2. Proof of Doctoral Degree
  5. Postdoctoral training undertaken by both appointees and fellows shall be granted by the University only once in the lifetime of an Academic.
  6. Beneficiaries of postdoctoral training are expected to abide by all statutes of the host University.

In order to ensure continuous improvement of the professional attributes of faculty, the University of Cape Coast declares its support for postdoctoral activities and therefore has developed this policy to guide its administration.

The University recognizes two categories of postdoctoral activities. Category one, covers postdoctoral activities that are undertaken by external faculty members on the University of Cape Coast campus while category two refers to postdoctoral training pursued by faculty of this University in other universities/institutions. The University therefore recognizes two categories of people undertaking postdoctoral activities. These are postdoctoral appointees (Category One) and postdoctoral fellows (Category Two).

For the avoidance of doubt, the University defines postdoctoral training as research oriented activities pursued with the aim of enhancing professional skills that are directly related to the subject area of the postdoctoral appointee/fellow. The adoption of this definition by the University implies that postdoctoral activities debars the pursuance of the other two professional engagements of faculty namely, teaching and outreach. The restriction of postdoctoral activities to only research is informed by the University’s quest to attain recognition as a research-oriented institution. The University may in the future, expand the scope of postdoctoral training to cover other endeavours of scholarship.

Postdoctoral conditions shall not in anyway be interpreted as either sabbatical or study leave.

UCC Cowpea Gets Approval from National Varietal Release and Registration Committee

22 Sep, 2018 By louis Mensah

The National Varietal Release and Registration Committee (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.  

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.

 

 

 

News
The exchange pupils and headteachers of the University Basic Schools with the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Kwamina Duncan

UCC Cowpea Gets Approval from National Varietal Release and Registration Committee

22 Sep, 2018 By louis Mensah

The National Varietal Release and Registration Committee (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.  

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.

 

 

News

2018 J-TERM Insights

The maiden J-TERM at URI Coastal Resources Center was a success! Our undergraduate students shared wonderful insights from the 2018 J-TERM Students Exchange Programme at the University of Rhode Island, USA. Watch what they had to say!

School of Agriculture Organises Short Course for Surveyors

20 Sep, 2018 By louis Mensah

The School of Agriculture, has organised a five-day training in "Principles and Practice of Land Surveying" for practitioners and professionals in Land Surveying and Town and Country Planning Department. 

The workshop is among the series of training programmes being organised by the various Departments of the School of Agriculture to upgrade the knowledge and skills of practitioners and professionals from various fields. Participants for the workshop were from different regions of the country working in the Town and Country Planning, Department of Survey, Lands Commission and private surveyors. They were taken through topics such as: “Understanding the basic principles in plane surveying; Comprehending the fundamentals of traversing in Land Surveying; Application of GPS techniques in Land Surveying; Application of the general ethics in Land Surveying and Understanding land laws in Ghana”.

In his opening remarks, the Coordinator of the short courses at the School, Dr. Julius Hagan, entreated participants to take the training seriously and consider upgrading themselves regularly to be abreast with current trends in the industry. He noted that the School has designed series of short courses for different categories of professionals and encouraged other interested groups to enrol to upgrade themselves.

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Soil Science Dr. Edward A.  Ampofo, advised the participants to consider constant upgrading of skills and knowledge to ensure their continuous stay in business. Professor Okai-Anti, from the Department entreated the trainees to abide by the ethics of the profession in order to keep faith with their clients. Present at the opening ceremony were, Dr. Kofi Attia and Dr. Chris Phares, from the Department of Soil Science. Others included Dr. Martin Bosompem of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension.

The training was facilitated by Engineer Dr. Ebenezer Gyamera, of the Department of Soil Science, who was also one of the instructors. Other instructors were, Engr. Twum; Surveyor Christian Quarcoo; Prof. Kumi Boateng; and Lawyer Acquah-Annan.

The exchange pupils and headteachers of the University Basic Schools with the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Kwamina Duncan

School of Agriculture Organises Short Course for Surveyors

20 Sep, 2018 By peter Otoo

The School of Agriculture, has organised a five-day training in "Principles and Practice of Land Surveying" for practitioners and professionals in Land Surveying and Town and Country Planning Department. 

The workshop is among the series of training programmes being organised by the various Departments of the School of Agriculture to upgrade the knowledge and skills of practitioners and professionals from various fields. Participants for the workshop were from different regions of the country working in the Town and Country Planning, Department of Survey, Lands Commission and private surveyors. They were taken through topics such as: “Understanding the basic principles in plane surveying; Comprehending the fundamentals of traversing in Land Surveying; Application of GPS techniques in Land Surveying; Application of the general ethics in Land Surveying and Understanding land laws in Ghana”.

In his opening remarks, the Coordinator of the short courses at the School, Dr. Julius Hagan, entreated participants to take the training seriously and consider upgrading themselves regularly to be abreast with current trends in the industry. He noted that the School has designed series of short courses for different categories of professionals and encouraged other interested groups to enrol to upgrade themselves.

A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Soil Science Dr. Edward A.  Ampofo, advised the participants to consider constant upgrading of skills and knowledge to ensure their continuous stay in business. Professor Okai-Anti, from the Department entreated the trainees to abide by the ethics of the profession in order to keep faith with their clients. Present at the opening ceremony were, Dr. Kofi Attia and Dr. Chris Phares, from the Department of Soil Science. Others included Dr. Martin Bosompem of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension.

The training was facilitated by Engineer Dr. Ebenezer Gyamera, of the Department of Soil Science, who was also one of the instructors. Other instructors were, Engr. Twum; Surveyor Christian Quarcoo; Prof. Kumi Boateng; and Lawyer Acquah-Annan.

News

Pages