OGR/GRASAG Trains Postgraduate Students On Proposal Writing

The Office of Grants and Research in collaboration with the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG) KNUST organized a day’s workshop on Proposal Writing for Post-Graduate Students on 5thNovember, 2015.  The purpose of the workshop was to improve the understanding of students in the writing of academic and grant proposals.

In his opening remarks, the Dean of Graduate School, Prof. R. C. Abaidoo congratulated OGR and GRASAG executives for taking steps to expand the knowledge of post-graduate students in proposal writing. He reiterated the University’s interest in producing high quality students capable of using their expertise to impact society, and was hopeful that the students will put the knowledge gained to good use.

The President of GRASAG, Mr. Felix Osafo, in his speech stated that the training was one of the planned activities for the year, and encouraged his colleagues to take full advantage of it. He further reiterated the passion his administration has in organizing such educative programmes for the Graduate students.

The facilitators for the workshop included Prof. Peter Donkor, Director, OGR, Prof William Oduro, Dean, International Programmes Office, Rev. Fr. Prof. J. Appiah-Poku, School of Medical Sciences, Dr. Ellis Owusu-Dabo, Director, KCCR and Mrs. Florence A. Aboh, OGR.

Dr. Owusu-Dabo took participants through Grant and Academic Proposal Writing, highlighting the key sections of proposal. He outlined the different sources of information and the need for a thorough search of the literature as a means of identifying gaps in knowledge. Through this relevant research questions were likely to be posed in a proposal. Rev. Fr. Prof. J.  Appiah-Poku spoke on Research Ethics and emphasized the necessity for research to be of benefit, not harmful and be respectful of human participants.

Prof. William Oduro touched on Work Plan and Budgeting. He advised students to hone their skills for preparing their work plans not only for research but to also guide their daily activities. Samples of work plan and budget were presented and participants were taken through the steps in developing them.  Prof. Peter Donkor addressed Reviewers Expectations in respect of academic/grant proposals. The key message was that reviewers’ are individuals so a clear succinct and well thought out proposal was more likely to be considered favourable. Mrs. Florence A. Aboh took participants through the different sources of information on funding for research.

Worthy of notice, was the huge attendance the programme received. The College of Science auditorium was filled to capacity. The benefit of the training lives in the memories of all participants.