Dr. Eudora Hagan
The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies of the Takoradi Technical University (TTU), Dr. Eudora Hagan, has called on universities in Ghana to find alternative ways of generating funds to support postgraduate education in the country.
According to her, universities in Ghana are faced with a number of challenges that hamper effective postgraduate studies, especially the issue of funding for postgraduate research leading to only a few students obtaining higher degrees.
Dr. Hagan was speaking at the Second Senate Meeting of the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (GRASAG National) held at TTU on Saturday, November 2, 2019.
She stated that government must find more resources to tackle the problems of postgraduate studies, adding that universities “must try and find alternative ways of generating funds to support postgraduate education.”
Scholarships Secretariat Boss award
GRASAG used the occasion to award the Registrar of the Scholarships Secretariat, Kingsley Agyeman, for his role in ensuring the timely disbursement of thesis and research grants to ease the burden of postgraduate students in the country.
In October, the Scholarships Secretariat started making payment for the bursaries of the 2018/2019 academic year. This is an improvement on how issues of bursaries have been handled in time past where students in some situations had to demonstrate or threaten demonstration before they are paid.
According to GRASAG, the tenure of Mr. Agyeman has brought real transformation in the way thesis and research grants for postgraduate students are processed and disbursed.
In a citation presented by the GRASAG president, he stated that “your hallmarks
over the period you have served in this office have been hard work, diligent
and integrity.”
GRTF
GRASAG added that the registrar has shown commitment to the establishment of the Graduate Research Trust Fund (GRTF), pointing out that his enthusiasm and ability to motivate others have resulted in a significant increase in the secretariat’s productivity and positive outlook.
The GRTF is a fund created by GRASAG to provide funding source for more meaningful research work to contribute to national development. The fund is managed by a board drawn from institutions such as the Ministry of Education, National Council for Tertiary Education, Ghana Education Trust Fund, Ghana Education Service, Ghana national Petroleum Commission (GNPC), the Scholarships Secretariat, among others.
By Nana Kwasi