DIRECTORATE OF RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND CONSULTANCY VISITS OFFICE OF GRANTS AND RESEARCH

Group picture of OGR and DRIC members

As part of efforts to deepen the collaboration between the Office of Grants and Research (OGR), KNUST and the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC), University of Cape Coast, a three-member team from DRIC paid a working visit to OGR on 25th August 2016. 

The team was led by Dr Frederick Ato Armah, the Deputy Director of the Directorate and the purpose for the visit was to share ideas and suggest practical ways to strengthen the two offices and make research administration an indispensable tool in research management in the two institutions. The team from both sides made presentation on their operations.

Ms Nadia Tagoe gave a brief background on the establishment of OGR and highlighted on the structure, staffing, functions, initiatives, achievements and the way forward. Dr Frederick Ato Armah on the other hand presented DRIC’s administrative structure, functions and activities, completedand ongoing projects as well as plans for the future.

Prof. Peter Donkor (4th from left) addressing issues on dissemination

After the presentations, the team brainstormed on the building blocks needed to move research administration forward. Among these was the engagement of research fellows to write proposals and undertake research as part of staffing arrangements. With regards to research dissemination, the Director of OGR, Prof. Peter Donkor emphasized the need for grant finders to disseminate their research findings to increase the visibility of their funders and also transfer knowledge. A lot of emphasis was also laid on the need to have a solid technological infrastructure to help propel research and research administration. The team noted that a platform that gives researchers access to showcase their research expertise, research projects and funders will go a long way to enhance their image and put their institutions ahead in fund sourcing for training and research.

The team agreed to take research administration to the next level by exploring the possibility of organizing an Annual Research Conference where research administrators would have the opportunity to share knowledge and experience and learn more about the dynamics in the field.

The visit was considered fruitful as it presented an opportunity for OGR and DRIC to share their experiences and learn lessons from each other to promote research administration in the two institutions.

Dr Frederick Ato Armah explaining a point