Postgraduate students must take full ownership of their research and focus on solving Africa’s pressing societal problems, rather than outsourcing their academic work for the sake of obtaining degrees, Professor Ellis Owusu-Dabo has urged.

Speaking at the opening of the Fifth International Conference of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), the immediate past Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) emphasized that genuine research is key to transforming communities and shaping Africa’s future.

The three-day conference is being held under the theme: "Transforming Communities: Postgraduate Education and Research for Resilience and Development in Africa."

Prof. Owusu-Dabo stressed that postgraduate education equips individuals to become innovators and leaders capable of creating bold solutions to developmental challenges.

He also underscored the importance of academic integrity and independent thought.

“Even machines maintain their originality and integrity in the face of artificial intelligence,” he said

He noted that Africa faces unique and multifaceted challenges, ranging from poverty and disease to political instability and rapid technological change.

In such a context, he said, the role of African researchers is even more crucial in driving sustainable development and resilience.

Prof. Owusu-Dabo further called for greater investment in higher education and research to empower the continent's institutions to respond effectively to these challenges and create lasting impact.