The Governing Council Chairman of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Akyamfour Asafo Boakye Agyemang-Bonsu, has stressed that the proactivity of the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) is essential to KNUST’s journey towards global eminence.

Speaking during a working visit to the Office, the Council Chair emphasized that a strategic and well-resourced OGR is non-negotiable for the University’s future.

“Our aspiration to become an eminent university cannot be fully realised without a highly effective and strategically positioned OGR,” he said.

He encouraged the Office to strengthen collaborations with funding agencies and develop proposals aligned with donor interests.

“Proposal writing is not just about elaboration. Know your funders. Our partnerships should begin before the calls are even announced," he advised. 

The Council Chair called for continuous engagement with donor agencies and recommended that KNUST presents its research priorities proactively.

Akyamfour Agyemang-Bonsu also proposed enhancing the capacity of OGR staff to improve service delivery, particularly in research support, project development, and strategic grantsmanship.

“We need joint research and development efforts across departments, with Principal Investigators leading impactful projects," he added.

He also endorsed the organization of institution-wide training in project management to track deliverables effectively and ensure alignment with key performance indicators.

In response, Mrs. Hannah Eyison, Assistant Grants and Research Manager, revealed that she had secured a modest grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York through her recent participation in the UASP Research Management Fellowship in the United States of America.

The project is set to build the capacity of all staff involved in project management across the university.

Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei, Director of OGR, presented KNUST’s current research trajectory and outlined future goals, including improved scholarly output, better research dissemination, and increased access to global funding opportunities.

Prof. Antwi-Agyei also announced that plans were advanced for the automation of pre- and post-award grant processes to improve efficiency.