The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has taken a significant step towards supporting postgraduate students in their research endeavors.
Through the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG), the university has launched the Research Support for Postgraduate Students, a fund that aims to provide financial assistance to graduate students embarking on research projects.
This initiative, the first of its kind in any Ghanaian university, will offer research grants to students and facilitate the establishment and operation of a Research Support Hub. This hub will serve as a resource center where graduate students can receive expert guidance and support for their research projects.
The ultimate goal of this fund is to enhance applied, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary research at KNUST for the socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa. By providing funding support for research activities, the university is enabling graduate students to explore innovative ideas and contribute to the university’s reputation as a research-intensive institution.
GRASAG President, Felix Kofi Adusei, emphasized that the Research Support Fund will operate through two key initiatives: the GRASAG Support Hub and the GRASAG Research Support Grant. These initiatives will not only provide financial support but also offer mentorship and technical assistance to students as they pursue their research projects.
With over 452 postgraduate programs, KNUST is giving thousands of students the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary research projects. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, highlighted the importance of extensive funding and investment in research infrastructure to support graduate students in their academic pursuits.
The Vice-Chancellor also stressed the need for collaboration with external stakeholders, especially industry, to address relevant societal challenges. She called for the commercialization of research outcomes and urged industries to adopt the innovative solutions generated through research to solve practical problems.
As a leading Science and Technology University, KNUST is committed to using research as a tool to provide solutions to the challenges faced by society.