SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES & RESEARCH
Background
The School of Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) draws its existence and functions from Statute 34 (Board of School of Graduate Studies) and Statute 35 (Directorate of Research, Innovation and Consultancy Services) of the C. K. Tedam University of Technology and Applied Sciences Statutes. Specifically, the SGSR coordinates all postgraduate-level academic programmes and manages all matters relating to research, innovation and consultancy.
Vision
My vision for the SGSR as Dean is based on the strategic mandate and vision of the University. To this end, my vision is:
“To lead a well-established School which provides a supportive environment for the conduct of world-class graduate training and research towards national development”.
Plans to achieve the vision
My plans to achieve this vision are categorised under the following broad headings: Graduate training, Research, Visibility and Staff development.
Graduate Training
- Programmes Development: As a School with the mandate to coordinate postgraduate studies, we will support the various Schools in the development of postgraduate programmes that are accessible and tailored to the developmental needs of the Nation and the geographical location of the university in particular, and in line with the University’s mandate.
This support will include facilitating the development, and accreditation of new programmes, and re-accreditation of existing programmes.
- Seminars and Digital Platforms: In order to improve the research and writing skills of our students, seminars and workshops relating to planning and conducting research, thesis writing, how to get published, seminar/conference attendance and presentation will be organised periodically in consultation with the various Schools.
Working with university Management, DICTS and Library I will pursue options that leverage on technology to provide digital platforms for access to recent and reputable scholarly works/sources. This will provide access to state-of-the-art literature which is fundamental to the conduct of contemporary, relevant and high-class research.
- Supervision and Framework for Joint Research: For SGSR to be able to provide world-class graduate training and research, it is imperative that supervisors are equipped with up-to-date skills in research supervision. In order to achieve this, workshops and seminars will be organized in collaboration with other training centres to build their capacity and sharpen their supervisory skills through introduction to the latest research tools and software.
To strengthen this training collaboration, I will engage university Management to develop a framework through MoUs with other institutions both local and international to create opportunities for joint research and semester abroad by postgraduate students.
This is intended to assist students to have access to state-of-the-art equipment from other institutions for conducting their research. Also, this provides the opportunity for improving the quality of research and creating opportunities for future research relations and collaboration.
- Development of Operational Documents: Steps will be taken to ensure that all documents needed to guide the training of graduate students and the conduct of research are developed. The Postgraduate Handbook is currently undergoing final review for approval by the Academic Board.
I will engage the Deans of the various Schools to constitute committees to develop all other necessary documents on research guidelines and ethics.
- Streamlining of Research and Thesis Assessment: To make our programmes attractive and competitive, I will take steps to ensure that students do not unduly delay in completing their studies. This will be done by engaging the various Deans to agree to time periods for each stage of the research as well as the thesis assessment process all to the final Viva.
In all of this, however, ethical considerations in research and due diligence will not be compromised.
Research
- Formation of Research Groups: Recognising the fact that research within the University is cardinal to the development and rating of the university, SGSR under my leadership will effectively engage the various Schools to form and support research groups that work to meet annual set targets. These groups should act as a “Warehouse” for grant proposals.
In order to enhance this, SGSR will encourage the formation of research centres and strengthen the existing ones. In connection with this, I will work with the various Schools to organise annual Schools Research Series.
At these events, research conducted in the Departments and Schools, as well as those of their postgraduate students, would be disseminated. This will help foster a culture of collaboration that delivers interdisciplinary research among the various Schools.
- Grants Application: To ensure that staff are well equipped with the necessary skills for grant application and proposal development, capacity-building workshops on grants and Grantsmanship will continue to be organized for the staff of the university.
Under the collaborative framework for joint research, I will encourage and facilitate joint grant applications and implementation with local and international institutions to improve the proposal development and research implementation skills of lecturers.
- Research Fund: Under my tenure as Dean, I will engage university Management on the possibility of setting up a research fund that provides support for small research projects on a competitive basis.
The process of applying for these small research grants will also serve as a “pilot” for members to venture for external grants. Additionally, the outcomes of this research could then form a basis for bigger research grant proposals locally and internationally.
- Awards: Under my leadership, SGSR will institute an annual Research Awards Event for the best student and supervisor.
Under this, the student and supervisor will be sponsored to attend one local conference where their research findings will be presented. This should serve as motivation for others to give up their best.
Visibility
- Website Development: Under my leadership, steps will be taken to ensure that the SGSR achieves a significant level of visibility both locally and internationally.
The website of the School will be given the needed improvement and updates with the support of DICTS. This will allow for a strong presence on all the social media handles of the university.
All postgraduate programmes and documents guiding the conduct of postgraduate research will be placed on the website, in addition to staff profiles to achieve the necessary visibility.
SGSR will also liaise with the various Schools and International Offices to identify other platforms for advertising/marketing the School and programmes both locally and internationally.
- Alumni, Professional Membership and Conferences: Also, the alumni of the school through the Alumni Association will be contacted and given various forms of paraphernalia that advertise and improve the visibility of the School.
Deserving students and staff will also be supported to attend conferences for networking and future collaborative research. The SGSR will also take steps to gain membership to such national and international associations.
Together, these measures will improve the visibility and international outlook of the School and its graduates.
Staff Development
In order to ensure that the staff have the needed skills and competencies to deliver on the functions of the School, I will identify areas of growth necessary for staff and support them to participate in workshops/training programmes both locally and internationally.
Secondly, staff will be supported to join professional associations/bodies related to the functions of SGSR that allow access to websites and other digital platforms and resources useful for the effective running of the School.
This continuous training will keep the staff up to date with regard to the rudiments of a world-class graduate school.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I intend to commit myself to an inclusive and pragmatic leadership that ensures prudent management of resources and the highest ethical research standards for the achievement of my vision as Dean of SGSR.