Forty-nine (49) postgraduate research students of the School of Graduate Studies, University of Cape Coast (UCC) have been awarded a GHS 360,000 research grant to enable them to produce timely and quality research work.
The number was selected out of ninety-two (92) applications received by the School.
The Master’s students are expected to submit progress reports every three months, while PhD students are required to submit theirs every six months.
Sponsored by Samuel and Emelia Brew-Butler and the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG), the grant specifically aims to support research students in publishing their scholarly articles in recognised local and international journals and attending research conferences.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Jacob Kwaku Agbenorhevi, a Professor of Food Science and Technology Advancing Food Innovation at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), challenged postgraduate students to undertake research that addresses societal challenges and contributes meaningfully to national development.
He underscored the critical role of master's and doctoral students in advancing knowledge, innovation and sustainable development.
Prof. Agbenorhevi noted that the award of the research grant reflected the confidence reposed in the beneficiaries to produce impactful research that is capable of addressing pressing national issues.
"Being selected means there is confidence in your ability to undertake research that will contribute meaningfully and impactfully to society," he said, while congratulating the beneficiaries.
Speaking on the theme, "Research for National Development: The Role of Postgraduate Students," Prof. Agbenorhevi described the topic as timely, stressing that research remains the engine of national development.
He explained that unlike undergraduate studies, which provide broad knowledge of a discipline, postgraduate education focuses on advanced studies that are driven by research.
According to him, countries that have achieved remarkable levels of development have done so by investing heavily in research and innovation to solve societal problems.
He indicated that Ghana continues to face challenges in areas such as agriculture, food and nutrition security, healthcare, unemployment and climate change, adding that these issues require evidence-based solutions generated through rigorous research.
Prof. Agbenorhevi urged the students to ensure that their research remained relevant by focusing on real societal problems and producing findings that could be translated into practical solutions for communities and industry.
He further highlighted the indispensable role of postgraduate students in the University's research ecosystem, describing them as emerging scholars and innovators rather than mere learners.
According to him, postgraduate students generate data, conduct original investigations, develop innovative technologies, and offer fresh perspectives to longstanding challenges.
"Many scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations across the world have originated from postgraduate research laboratories," he noted.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to have confidence in their abilities and appreciate the unique role they play in strengthening research output within the University.
Prof. Agbenorhevi urged the students to make prudent use of the research grant by applying the funds solely for their intended purpose.
As part of the event, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Sarah Darkwa, launched the Theses Submission Management System, an online platform used by a university to manage the submission, review, approval, and storage of students' theses or dissertations.
Chairing the programme, the incoming Ag. Pro Vice-Chancellor, who is currently the Dean of the School of Education Development and Outreach (SEDO), Prof. Christine Adu-Yeboah, in a short remark, observed that the School of Graduate Studies would continue to mentor and monitor the students until the final research output was out.
She urged them to take the research work seriously to justify the investments being made in them.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC
