3rd KNUST Summer School on Research Management

The Office of Grants and Research in conjunction with the Quality Assurance and Planning Unit organized the 2013 KNUST Summer School from the August 26 to 30th at the Faculty of Law auditorium. The theme for the school was “Repositioning KNUST as a Global Institution: Effective Research Management as a Tool”. The main objective was to enable staff to understand the role of research management in the University’s Research enterprise, as well as obtaining and managing research grants. The summer school was opened by the Pro-VC, Prof Samuel Nii Odai. He stated that the annual summer school was organized to enhance the knowledge of senior members in various areas.

Participation in the workshop was quite representative as participants came from all six colleges in the university as well as the centers and institutes. Approximately 200 senior members made up of academic and non-academic staff were in attendance for the programme.

Speakers for the programme were from both Ghana and international Institutions. International speakers on Research Management were Craig Reynolds, Associate Director of the University of Michigan’s Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, University of Michigan, USA, W. Scott Erwin, Texas State University, USA and Heather Offhaus, Director, Grant Review & Analysis, Office of Research, University of Michigan Medical School, USA. In-country speakers were also invited to make presentations on Intellectual Property. They were Mr Joseph Tamakloe, Chief State Attorney, Registrar General’s Department and Mrs Sarah Anku, Assistant State Attorney, Registrar General’s Department

All the speakers indicated the wealth of knowledge they had during their presentations on topics such as: The Role of Research in Positioning a University as a Global Institution, Pre-Award Research Administration and Management, Cost Categories and Budgeting, Post-Award Research Administration and Management, Financial Processes for Grants at KNUST and Research Project Audit. Other topics included Patent System in Ghana and Intellectual Property and National Development.

Contributions from participants also gave an indication of the level of understanding and interest in research activities. Participants were given the opportunity to make suggestions to improve research activities on campus as well as the operations of the Office of Grants and Research. The discussions at the end of the presentations were very engaging and productive.

The Office of Grants and Research assured participants of their support in finding grant opportunities, proposal writing and submission as well as management of awards.
Prof R.C. Abaidoo, in closing the summer school, encouraged researchers to consistently follow effective research management practices as it is expected of every world-class university.