Head of School of Construction Economics and Management at the University of Wits, South Africa, is imploring Ghanaian researchers not to limit publication of their works in only the journals.
Prof. Samuel Laryea believes it is crucial in achieving the maximum impact.
“When you publish stuff, actively take steps to promote your research. Make copies of research available and explain to people why it’s important,” he said.
Prof. Laryea was speaking at the Renowned Scholars Dialogue by the Young Researchers’ Forum of the Office of grants and research, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.
Prof. Laryea spoke on the topic: Becoming a global academic citizen.
He therefore encouraged Ghanaian researchers to become global research leaders by creating themes.
He has observed researchers in Africa for a long time, and has been a follower of research themes generated abroad.
“There are a lot of things published in the journals which are not from this part of our world. I don’t know why they shouldn’t be. I don’t see why we can’t create big research themes on our own and get them published in journals and have researchers in other parts of the world in Europe following. We should think of becoming research global leaders.
“We can also initiate world class things from Ghanaian Universities and theorize it in the global context and we’re not doing that at the moment,” he said.
Pro Vice-chancellor, Prof. Ellis Owusu-Dabo charged researchers to collaborate with researchers in other disciplines for maximum contribution.
“In today’s academic environment, we ought to break the boundaries of our discipline, our small research niche and to understand the concept and underpinnings of others so that you can be truly global,” he said.
Young Researchers’ Forum
Young Researchers’ Forum, which is under the aegis of the Office of Grants and Research is a network of young faculty members of the University.
It seeks to encourage research, citizenship and culture among members.
The Renowned Scholars’ Dialogue (RSD) is one of its programmes.
Under the RSD, the YRF will host an eminent academic annually to share experiences on how they navigated the challenges and made it to the top.
The scholars are expected to offer insights into how to transform research and innovation to start-ups and full-blown businesses for wealth creation.
Director of the Office of Grants and Research, Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei added: “the university is keen on developing our young researchers and making sure they become global citizens when it comes to research.
“I’m very optimistic we have very resourceful and enterprising researchers who are ready to become global citizens when it comes to research.”
Source: Ghana News
