A twenty-four (24) member implementation team of the Development Research Uptake in Sub-Saharan Africa (DRUSSA) in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has attended a workshop. The workshop which was organised by the University was on the theme: “making an impact through research: the way forward for KNUST”. The workshop among other things was to strengthen processes and systems and to build the capacity of staff for Research Uptake Management and manage research uptake activities.
In his opening remarks, Vincent Ankamah-Lomotey, Deputy Registrar (University Relations) and moderator of the programme said the 24 member team selected from all sections of the University is expected to make research visible in the University and beyond. Mr. Ankamah-Lomotey said DRUSSA aims at building individual and institutional capacity for managing ongoing and completed research that are in the repository, as well as the few in public use hence the workshop.
Professor Samuel Nii Odai, Pro Vice-Chancellor, in his presentation called on researchers to have passion to contribute to the well being of society. He said impact is key to research which is driven by the desire to see a better environment to live in and a better future for the next generation.
Prof. Odai stated that real research impact is not peer reviewed journals, conference proceedings and publications. These are important but not impact, hence research should be along national development goals to make impact more effective.
Research must impact communities and catchment areas in which the University operates and the world at large but should not stay on the pages. Research information should be made available and be disseminated.
He admonished researchers to make research impact a priority because impact brings good recognition and raises the profile of the researcher as well as the ranking of the University. Also, research impact creates more opportunities for researchers and in some cases attracts more funding.
In concluding his presentation, he called for more funding and motivation for researchers as well as the establishment of more specialised laboratories for research. He also encouraged researchers to move into communities to identify their problems in other to make more impact.