Outgoing Provost of the College of Education, University of Ghana, Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, has called for sustained investment in research development, undergraduate research participation and institutional capacity building as part of efforts to strengthen the College’s academic and research agenda.
1st from Right: Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe, Provost of the College of Education delivering his presentation
Professor Codjoe made the call during an engagement with faculty and staff of the Legon Centre for Education Research and Policy (LECERP), held as part of his routine interactions with constituent units of the College. The meeting formed part of a long-standing practice by the outgoing Provost to engage members of the College community at the beginning and end of each year. While the end-of-year engagements focus on reviewing achievements by the College, the beginning-of-year sessions provide an opportunity to discuss priorities and planned activities for the year ahead.
Delivering a presentation dubbed the “State of the College”, Professor Codjoe reflected on key milestones achieved under his leadership and outlined areas requiring continued attention. He noted that the College prioritised scientific writing workshops for faculty members within the College and affiliated Colleges of Education to strengthen research output and academic publishing.
A cross-section of attendees
He further underscored the need to now focus on organising grant proposal writing workshops to enhance the ability of faculty and researchers to secure competitive research funding. Professor Codjoe also encouraged the continuation of scholarship schemes and support for the Vice-Chancellor’s “One Student, One Laptop” initiative through the College’s networks and partnerships.
According to him, the College must also increase the participation of undergraduate students in research activities in line with efforts being championed by the University’s Research and Innovation Directorate through the University of Ghana Undergraduate Research Experience Programme (UGUREP).
On institutional traditions, the outgoing Provost highlighted the importance of institutionalising both the College Awards Ceremony and the Pen Ceremony. He, however, proposed that the Pen Ceremony, which celebrates the achievement of newly promoted Associate Professors, should be organised annually while the Awards Ceremony should be held every two years.
Dr. Clement Adamba, Director of LECERP
In his response, Dr. Clement Adamba, Director of LECERP expressed appreciation to Professor Codjoe for his support towards the establishment of the Centre and the recruitment of three Research Fellows. He, however, appealed for the recruitment of additional Research Fellows and the provision of more office space to support the growing activities of the Centre, noting that the current office arrangement remains inadequate for both staff and researchers. The Director also urged Professor Codjoe to support the institutionalisation of the State of Education Report in Ghana and requested that the initiative be captured in his handing-over notes to ensure continuity.
The engagement ended with renewed calls for sustained collaboration, stronger research support systems and continued investment in academic excellence within the College of Education.