OGR’s organizes Training for Researchers & Research Administrators

The Office of Grants and Research held a two day training on the theme “Fundamentals of Research Administration” for the first day and “Getting External Funds for your Research” on the second day. The training was held at the Great Hall conference room on the 23rd and 24th July 2013. It was designed to educate research administrators on their roles and responsibilities in grants administration. It also provided researchers with the requisite knowledge in grants management. Other participants of the training were research fellows and post graduate students.  Participants were hosted from all six colleges of the university as well as the Institute of Distance Learning and Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR).
The resource persons for the training were Dr. Eme Owoaje of the university of Ibadan-Nigeria, Prof Peter Donkor, Director of the Office of Grants and Research-KNUST, Prof Robert Abaidoo, Provost of College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST and Ms Nadia Tagoe, Grants and Research manager of the Office of Grants and Research, KNUST.

In an opening remark the chairman for the training Prof Peter Donkor stated that, OGR was a response to the research needs of the university and will be playing a supportive role to all staff. He explained the rationale behind the training as a way of exposing participants to the changing trends in grants and research management. He also observed that the theme for the training will expose participants to modern skills required for managing research grants. He concluded by saying that there were a number of mentors in the university who research administrators and young researchers could look up to. 

Dr. Eme Owoaje started her presentation by saying that; university research in Africa has generally suffered from a deficit of effective organisation and management. Using the Research Office in Ibadan as a case study, she stated that research offices assist in the development and collection of materials to accompany a successful application by researchers. The overall goal of research offices is therefore to teach the faculty to write more competitive proposals.

African universities must endeavour to promote the spirit of inquiry, research and discovery and contribute to local and global development through research and innovation.Understanding the requirements of funded research is a keystone in undertaking research in the University.

With this objective in mind, fascinators diligently presented on several areas under funded research, among which are Funding Mechanism, Funders, Grant Cycle and Key requirements for funded research.

 Ms. Nadia Tagoe, from the Office of Grants and Research, outlined Current Trends in Research Management and Administration. In her presentation, she talked on emergence of RAM, its importance and continuous Evolvement in Ghana and Africa. KNUST’s RAM Progress and Outlook was not omitted. Looking ahead, research administrators and research fellows within the University with the support of OGR can build up the research enterprise of KNUST. Presenting on the topic, “Building your Research Portfolio”, Prof. R. C. Abaidoo, outlined steps needed for lecturers to build a strong research portfolio through a logical framework approach. It included related issues on source of funds, being a principal investigator, building networks and collaborations. In his presentation, he emphasized on these attributes, “Determination, Practice, Self Monitoring and Evaluation.”
 
Prof. Peter Donkor shared his experience with participants with his long history of being a Principal Investigator (PI) for several research projects. He gave some thoughts on the roles for faculty, research/publication requirements and guidelines. Overall, he gave an enlightening presentation on what it takes for a lecturer to rise to the rank of PI, noting that a University appointment implies the following roles for faculty: Teaching, Research and Service.

Dr. Owoaje led the participants in an activity on “Dissecting a Funding Opportunity Announcement” on the last day for the training event. With the basic skill and knowledge in research administration and funded research, faculty should be able to harness resources for research projects and research administration.

In his closing remarks, the Chairman was hopeful that the participants would begin to put in to practice and be prepared to initiate research within the University and beyond. Faculty with this important information can now act as catalysts for change to help ensure quality research in our institutions.

“The firewood that we gather in our youth is what we shall warm ourselves with in our old age” – African Proverb