• The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin has launched a $100,000 UDS Research Fund organised by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) in February 2024 during the 18th Harmattan School.
  • Below is as written and published by Story by Abdul-Hayi Moomen (UDS Media) on uds.edu.gh with a few edits.

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This fund aims to support qualified individuals, including faculty, staff, and students, by providing financial grants for conducting relevant research. The focus areas include applied, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary research. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the socioeconomic development of northern Ghana and beyond.

Mr. Bagbin, demonstrating his commitment, donated GH¢ 50,000.00 as seed money for the fund. He also encourages other well-meaning Ghanaians to contribute, emphasizing the fund’s laudable objectives. The UDS Research Fund seeks to:

  • Build local capacity for policy-oriented research in northern Ghana.
  • Generate research results for use by policy analysts and decision-makers.
  • Strengthen the link between universities and industry for research-driven socioeconomic development.
  • Empower researchers and retain high-quality talent in the region.
  • Facilitate research capacity building for faculty, staff, and students.
  • Advance career opportunities for academic professionals.
  • Promote inclusive development through active university-industry collaboration.

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIR) at UDS will operationalize the fund, guided by the university’s Grants Management and Administration Policy. A Steering Committee, chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, will oversee fund allocation to various thematic areas.

The Steering Committee will oversee the allocation of funds to different thematic areas, ensuring that they are subsequently disbursed to grantees. Other esteemed members of the committee include:

  • Director of Finance
  • Registrar or their representative (serving as Secretary)
  • Principal of the Nyankpala Campus
  • Principal of the Tamale Campus
  • Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research
  • Director of Internal Audit

The launch event was graced by the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-hassan, an the Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Alhassan Shaibu Shani.

Story by:
Abdul-Hayi Moomen (UDS Media)