Promote quality research - Professor urges Catholic University

Professor Ebenezer Oduro Owusu, the Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Ghana (UG) has urged the Catholic University College of Ghana (CUCG) to promote quality research to enhance its visibility and relevance in Ghana and beyond.

Prof. Owusu was speaking at the University’s 17th Congregation and 26th Matriculation joint ceremonies at Fiapre in the Sunyani West District of the Brong-Ahafo Region and assured that the UG was prepared to provide mentorship in that regard.

Seven-Hundred and twenty (720) students, which comprised 550 undergraduates, 41 post-graduates (Master of Business Administration-MBA) and 129 Post Graduate Diploma in Education graduated, whilst 400 fresh students, studying different programmes were also matriculated for the 2018/2019 academic year.

He stated that the lack of research was a contributory factor to the slow pace of development on the African continent; hence the UG was committed to redefining itself as an intensive research institution and actively encourage faculties to engage in research activities.

Prof. Owusu added that the UG sought to engage in policy relevant research that would inform the development agenda of Ghana and the African continent at large.

The University’s investment in research was paying off and already the quantity and quality of research being carried out have improved tremendously, the University of Ghana VC said.

In addition, the University had won landmark research grant, which have been utilised to enhance its research profile and to build centres of excellent. Prof. Owusu indicated that these efforts had contributed to the success story of the UG as the only University in Ghana that was ranked in the Times Higher Education ranking, and the top-ranked University in sub-Saharan Africa.

He therefore stressed the need for the CUCG to invest in research by providing support for its faculties to engage in “cutting-edge research” as the central wheel to propel the holistic progress of the University to impact positively on national development.

Prof. Daniel Obeng-Ofori, the VC of CUCG said the institution was making relentless effort to provide access to quality university education to as many qualified applicants as possible and therefore entreated the matriculates to exercise their personal freedom with circumspection.

He stressed that the institution had managed to deliver on its mandate and assured that the Management would continue to be highly economical and make judicious use of the University’s resources.

Prof. Obeng-Ofori entreated the fresh students to be ethical and honest in all their dealings and endeavour to learn things, which would positively improve the quality of their lives and that of humanity in general.

He advised the graduands to strive to become agents of positive change wherever they would find themselves, saying that they must particularly make themselves relevant to their communities.