The former Rector of Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) wants the government to increase research funding to stimulate economic growth.<\/p>\n
Currently, the government spends about 0.38 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on research, a figure Professor Stephen Adei describes as woefully inadequate.<\/p>\n
He wants the figure to be increased, at least, to one percent.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must increase the quantum of the research and the quality of research should not be research to get a degree as an end in itself, but as a development instrument,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Professor Adei is also advocating for a national policy to ensure research from graduate education addresses specific economic challenges.<\/p>\n
He spoke to LUV Biz at a public lecture in Kumasi to launch the week-long celebration of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana.<\/p>\n
\u201cIdeally, as a middle-income country, we should be putting at least 1 percent of our GDP into research and development then there must be a policy [to enable the research] to become relevant to our national development,\u201d the former GIMPA Rector stated.<\/p>\n
The Lecture where Prof Adei spoke was held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), under the theme, \u2018Harmonising Research and Entrepreneurship for National Development: the Role of the Graduate Student\u2019.<\/p>\n
It was part of the week-long celebration of the Graduate Student Association\u2019s annual event.<\/p>\n
President of KNUST chapter of GRASSAG, Kusi Boakye, believes such forums hold the potential to challenge students to start their own businesses than looking up to white colour jobs.<\/p>\n
In a related development, Associate Professor at the University of Ghana Medical School, Professor Alex Duodu, has reiterated the need for researchers to contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth through research.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world is moving fast. We must really contribute to GDP growth and the time to start is now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to him, the universities must research into challenges that hold back the country\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment must ask the radical question to change the way universities are funded [in such a way that] funding goes to areas of importance and not blanket research and book allowance because sometimes certain incentives tend to be counterproductive,\u201d Prof Duodo adds.<\/p>\n
Professor Duodu, therefore, wants discussion among institutions of higher education, industry and other stakeholders to start immediately.<\/p>\n
In the 21st century, according to the Professor, no country should rely on other countries to solve their problems for them.<\/p>\n
He is, therefore, charging those in higher education to bring scientifically sound and credible solutions to national issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeave all the philosophy to the church and mosque but I believe that higher education should bring scientifically sound and credible solutions to national issues,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
credit:myjoyonline<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"