The University for Development Studies (UDS) on April 3, 2024, inaugurated four Research Fund Committees to spearhead state-of-the-art research and academic excellence at the University. The grand launch was led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Alhassan in a short ceremony held within the confines of his office at the Central Administration of the University in Tamale.

This innovative development comes amid Management’s drive to promote the research agenda of UDS, to better position the university in a highly competitive research and academic world.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice-Chancellor of UDS Prof. Seidu Alhassan stated that research is the focus of the University and a research fund of One Million cedis was part of his vision and emphasised that today’s ceremony is a step towards attaining such a dream.

On March 12, 2024, the UDS Research Fund a Hundred Thousand Dollar ($100,000) Fund was launched by the speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin. The fund aims to provide financial resources in the form of grants to qualified persons (faculty, staff, and students among others) for purposes of conducting relevant (applied, problem-solving and interdisciplinary) research for the socioeconomic development of Northern Ghana and beyond.

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) of the UDS was tasked to operationalise the Fund guided by the Grants Management and Administration Policy of the University. The Institute has finally come out with four Research Fund Committees to achieve this objective. The Institute will also lead efforts to raise matching funding from stakeholders for the Fund.

The Vice-Chancellor then took a moment to highlight the recent establishment of the $100,000 UDS Research Fund on March 12, 2024. "This fund," he explained, "will provide vital financial resources in the form of grants to qualified individuals, including faculty, staff, and students, for conducting relevant, applied, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary research aimed at socio-economic development in northern Ghana and beyond." He also shared some exciting news, "I am pleased to announce that the Speaker of Parliament, who launched the fund, had pledged 50,000 Ghana cedis to support the fund, a gesture of support that had already been fulfilled. With additional contributions, the fund currently stands at 55,000 Ghana cedis".

Professor Seidu commended the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) for its mandate to operationalize the fund, guided by the Grants Management and Administration Policy of the University. The Vice-Chancellor expressed her gratitude to the Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research for conceptualizing and organizing the committees.

The Vice-Chancellor, a staunch advocate for research-driven progress, emphasized the pivotal role of these committees in advancing the university's mission of leading development-oriented research. "Today marks a turning point moment in our university's journey towards becoming a hub of cutting-edge research and innovation," declared Prof. Seidu Al-hassan. "The establishment of these Research Fund Committees underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing a vibrant research culture that addresses the pressing challenges of our society".

The four committees, each dedicated to specific thematic areas, are designed to cater to the diverse research interests and disciplines encompassed by UDS. They include:

1. Medical and Health Sciences Technical Research Fund Committee: Focused on pioneering breakthroughs in healthcare, medicine, and related sciences.
2. Basic and Applied Sciences Technical Research Fund Committee: Geared towards engineering, agriculture and biomedical sciences.
3. Social Sciences and Humanities Technical Research Fund Committee: Committed to exploring socio-cultural dynamics, human behaviour, and societal structures to foster inclusive development.
4. Research Fund Steering Committee: will be responsible for the allocation of funds to the various thematic areas for onward disbursements to grantees.

Each committee comprises a diverse group of experts, scholars, and industry leaders who will be responsible for evaluating research proposals, disbursing funds, and monitoring the progress and impact of funded projects.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed his confidence in the committees' ability to catalyze transformative research that not only advances academic knowledge but also addresses real-world challenges faced by communities locally and globally.

The chairpersons of the four committees then took turns to deliver acceptance speeches on behalf of their respective members. Each speech echoed a common theme of commitment to excellence, collaboration, and the advancement of knowledge for the betterment of society.

The Chairman of the Technical Committee on Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Frederick Adzitey thanked the Management for appointing them and assured that he and his committee members would do their best in fulfilling their duties, emphasizing the importance of regular attendance at meetings.

Prof. Stephen Tabiri, the chairman of the Technical Committee on Medical and Health Sciences, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in their committee and congratulated the director for establishing these committees. He encouraged collaboration between committees.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Paul K. Nkegbe, representing the committee on Social Science and Humanities, promised to put in their best effort and expressed hope that the work of the committees would expand in the future.

The Steering Committee will be chaired by the Vice-Chancellor. Other Members of the Steering Committee shall be the Director of Finance, the Registrar, the Principal of the Nyankpala Campus and the Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research. In attendance are; Prof. Joseph Abazaami, Prof. Awal Abdul-Rahman, Mr. Iddrisu Mubarik Napari and Ms. Juliana Tietaa Yirnuo as secretary.

Prof. Mamudu A. Akudugu, the Director of the IIR, expressed excitement and commended the UDS Management, particularly the Vice Chancellor, for their foresight and good work. He promised that the institute would work hard to maintain its reputation, which would facilitate further growth. Additionally, he mentioned that calls for proposals would soon be announced for suitable individuals to apply for funding.

The Registrar, Alhaj Nurudeen I. Abubakar who is a member of the Steering Committee, remarked that it is a privilege that members have been appointed to serve in the committees and encourage members to be committed to the role. “The office of the Registrar is always open to give all the necessary support”, The Registrar said.

In his closing remarks, the Vice-Chancellor expressed his gratitude to the Director of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Research for conceptualizing and organizing the committees. "As you embark on this important journey, I urge you to remain focused on our university's mandate. Avoid unnecessary debates and ensure that your work aligns with our core values and objectives, including community support projects", Prof. Seidu Al-hassan word of advice to the committee members.

The launch of the four Research Fund Committees signifies UDS's proactive approach to nurturing a dynamic research ecosystem that fosters collaboration, creativity, and excellence. As the university embarks on this new chapter, it stands poised to make significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge, the betterment of society, and the sustainable development of our world.

Story by Tahiru Abdulai Alhassan (UDS Media)