OGR ORGANIZES WORKSHOP FOR ACADEMIC STAFF OF CHRISTIAN SERVICE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

Participant in a groupwork

The Office of Grants and Research (OGR) has organized a day’s workshop on Grant Proposal Writing for staff of the Christian Service University College on 26th August 2016.

The workshop was organized to broaden the knowledge of participants in developing research proposals for funding and expose them to practical experience in grant writing.  It also enlightened participants in the uniqueness of grant proposal writing.

The facilitators for the workshop included Prof. Peter Donkor, Ms Nadia Tagoe, and Mrs Florence A. Aboh all of OGR.

The topics that were discussed included, “Research – a duty for the academic”, “Sources of Funding for Research” and “The Research and Grant Cycle”.

In his opening remarks the President of the College, Professor Sam Afrane, mentioned that the workshop was one of the series of activities planned for the academic year.   He encouraged staff to fully participate in the workshop to reap the full benefits.

The workshop began with a presentation by Professor Donkor on “Research – a duty for the academic”.  He explained that universities provide a protected space for individuals and groups to think the unthinkable and push the limits of the possible.   He stressed the need for staff to carry out research to generate new knowledge, improve educational content and effect social change.  He also mentioned that research propels faculty promotion and attract financial resources thus enhancing the image of the researcher and the University.  He mentioned that research needs money and research brings money. He also took participants through the process of building capacity for grants writing and shared the benefits of funded research.

Participants in discussion

The second presentation was delivered by Mrs Florence A. Aboh.  She took participants through the various sources of funding for research.  The highlights of her presentation included Application Modes, Funding Avenues and Funding Sources and Databases.  She mentioned some specific funding opportunities and requirements and searching tips.

Ms Nadia Tagoe made a presentation on “The Research and Grant Cycle”.  She also took participants through the grant cycle explaining the pre-award, award and the post-award processes.  She explained the elements of a typical proposal and what makes a strong proposal for funding.  The participants were also taken through budget and budget justification and some cost categories.  Ms Tagoe ended her presentation with points to consider for research dissemination.

After the presentations, participants were put into groups to dissect live funding opportunities and further develop proposals out of them for external funding.

Group activity among participants