Search

CRITERIA

  1. Applicants for postdoctoral training in the University of Cape Coast should be full time employees of a recognized university or research institution.
  2. Prospective postdoctoral appointees shall show evidence of research activities that shall be pursued during the period of the postdoctoral training.
  3. Heads of Department shall inform the University management of the link between the research activities of the postdoctoral appointee and that of the Department.
  4. Heads of Department shall communicate to the Vice-Chancellor the faculty members who shall be working with the postdoctoral appointee.
  5. Heads of Department shall confirm to the University management the availability of resources such as office space to accommodate the prospective postdoctoral appointee.
  6. Postdoctoral appointees 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, both during and after the postdoctoral training.
  7. Application of postdoctoral appointees will be considered only if the applicant is within the first five years of obtaining a Ph.D.

DURATION

Postdoctoral appointment shall be granted for a maximum of two years.

FUNDING IMPLICATIONS

The Department hosting the postdoctoral appointee shall show evidence of funding for the postdoctoral uptake. The financial commitment of the University (both immediate and distant) shall be comprehensively identified and communicated to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department.

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 appointees are mandated to cite the University as their affiliation on all the publications that shall be produced during the postdoctoral training.
  2. Postdoctoral appointees shall make a minimum of two presentations per semester during the period of the postdoctoral appointment in the University.
  3. Postdoctoral appointees in collaboration with the supervisor shall show evidence of a proposal aimed at securing funds to sustain the relationship with the University.
  4. Postdoctoral appointees shall submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department on their experiences during the postdoctoral training.
  5. Faculty hosting/working with the postdoctoral appointees shall submit a report to the Vice-Chancellor through the Head of Department on experiences during the postdoctoral training and recommendations to improve postdoctoral activities in the University.

RESIGNATION/TERMINATION OF POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING

  1. Should the need arise for either the University or the postdoctoral appointee to end the postdoctoral training, one month prior written notice is required from the party initiating the termination of the contract.
  2. The University may terminate a postdoctoral training contract in case of a breach in any of the regulations of the University of Cape Coast.

Prof. Patrick K. Agbesinyale

Current Director, College of Education Studies

View Profile

Dr. Edem Amenumey

Past Head, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management

View Profile

UCC Cowpea Gets Approval from NVRRC

24 Sep, 2018 By louis Mensah

The National Varietal Release and Registration Council (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.  

The 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.

Food
News

This Policy shall come into effect after it has received approval from the Council of the University of Cape Coast and gazetted by the Registrar of the University.

All agreements concluded by the University and the Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators at an earlier time shall be governed by the provisions of the Policy in effect at the time of the signing of such contracts.

Research

The University shall only enter into a research contract or other binding commitment to perform work that can reasonably be expected to be publishable, provide educational opportunities, and/or be in the public interest.

Use of the University’s Name

All written or broadcast material containing the University’s name for advertising, marketing, or other promotional purposes shall be submitted to the Vice Chancellor for approval prior to use of such material. A statement on the use of the University’s name shall be included in all appropriate contracts between industry (company) and the University.

Publication

The University shall enter into contracts or other binding commitments to conduct research and training only if they permit the disclosure and publication of research. Delays in publication up to 120 days may be agreed to in order to permit time for filing of patent applications.

Confidentiality

The faculty shall not undertake research in which the sponsor:

  1. Prohibits the Researcher/Inventor/Innovator/Creator from disclosing the existence of the agreement; or
  2. Restricts the Researcher/Inventor/Innovator/Creator’s public disclosure of information developed by that faculty member.

Avoidance of Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment

  1. Trust, good faith and open discussion of controversial issues among colleagues have always been central to the life of the University. The activities of Researchers/Inventors/Innovators/Creators must be governed by thoughtful consideration of individual circumstances, rather than rigid rules. The requirement for reporting as outlined in the following paragraphs is meant to ensure that conflicts of commitment and conflicts of interest will be considered openly and fairly, and that appropriate action will be taken to resolve those conflicts. Reporting, thus, serves to protect individual Researcher/Inventor/Innovator/Creator, the University of Cape Coast, and academic freedom in general.

  2. In cases where faculty enjoy rights to Intellectual Property under this policy, they have an obligation to report fully any outside activities and interests related to their teaching, research, or service to their Head of Department, Dean, Provost or other designated University official and obtain their prior approval before the activity begins. The report must be in writing and must include the names of companies for whom he/she consults, the number of days committed to each consulting agreement and a copy of any proposed consulting agreements associated with Intellectual Property. Consulting agreements must be reviewed for compliance with University policies and government regulations and approved by DRIC, before the consultation can begin.

  3. The holding of equity interest in a Commercial Venture by the University and faculty Inventor, and the receipt of royalties and acceptance of consultant fees, places a burden on the Inventor to report such financial interests in all relevant papers prepared for publication or oral presentation, in order to avoid later accusation that adverse results had been suppressed in order to enhance the marketability of the Invention.

Grievances

In the event that an Inventor has a grievance about the University’s handling of his/her Intellectual Property, he/she may

  1. petition the Director of DRIC in the first instance.

  2. appeal to the Office of the Vice Chancellor, in the event when the complainant is still dissatisfied.

  3. refer the matter to the University Council, if the grievance remains unresolved.

The decision of the University Council is final

In the first instance, disputes shall be dealt with by the person or body designated by the University. A decision shall be taken within 14 days from the submission of the concern. Over and beyond the above, with respect to any legal dispute arising in connection with the rules of this Policy, the relevant provisions of law shall be applicable.

Breach of the provisions of this Policy shall be dealt with under the normal procedures of the University in accordance with the relevant provisions of law.

Pages