The UDS Centre for Research, Innovation and Partnership Services, CRIPS, as part of efforts to support the vision of the the University and that of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, held a workshop on Thursday Dec. 14, 2023, at the Council Chamber, Tamale Campus. The workshop focused on engaging stakeholders on how to build an effective system for Research and Grants Administration and Management.

The workshop aimed to facilitate the improvement of the University's Research and Grants Administration and Management. It involved selected Senior Members, Deans and Directors of UDS with some level of experience in Research and Grantsmanship.

Whilst welcoming the participants and facilitators, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, said UDS to become a world class university, it needs to have a solid grant management programme. Grant management includes strategic planning, efficient grant design, programme development and effective tracking, and having sufficient resources to smoothly manage the process.

The Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research IIR- UDS, Prof. Akudugu Mamudu, said one of the objectives of the workshop was to create a well-structured system for grants administration and management, and to empower UDS and its Faculty, to be active ambassadors and facilitators of the goal.

Professor David Teye Doku, Director of the Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy (DRIC) at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), spoke on the topic “Strategies for Building Efficient Research and Grants Administration and Management System: Experience from the University of Cape Coast”.

He outlined the mission of higher educational institutions, the strategies for building efficient research and grants systems, and gave an overview of UCC and its Research and Grants Administration Systems. He explained the importance of grants for higher education institutions, which have three core functions: Education(teaching), Research, and Social contribution. He also shared four strategies for building efficient research and grants systems: Understanding the vision and mission, knowing the current position, benchmarking, and policy development and implementation. He stressed the need for motivating researchers and creating visibility for research work, especially on social media.

The Director of the Office of Grants and Research (OGR) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Professor Philip Antwi-Agyei, made a presentation on “Strategies for Building Efficient Research and Grants Administration system: Experience from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology”. He highlighted the achievements and approaches of the KNUST OGR and expressed optimism that UDS can also establish a functional Research and Grants Office to support its research agenda. He urged all stakeholders involved in grants administration and project implementation to play their roles effectively.

Following the presentations of the two experts, the workshop concluded with a lively discussion during which the attendees had the opportunity to pose questions and express their views on critical topics such as the grant management cycle, the role of grants offices, grants and contracts, the grant management process, fraud and risk mitigation in grant management, and project close-out.

Participants gained insights into efficient grant administration practices and cultivated a culture of compliance and ethical oversight.

Story by:
Hajara Adam
(UDS Media)