Takoradi Technical University establishes GH¢1.5m research fund

The Takoradi Technical University (TTU), formerly the Takoradi Polytechnic, has established a GH¢1.5 million Research, Innovation and Development Fund (RIDF) to encourage research and innovation in the country.

The RIDF is aimed at helping researchers to link up with industry to develop applications that are based upon industrial needs in order to develop new and improved products, services and processes.Why the fundThe Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Prof. John Frank Eshun announced this at the launch of the Faculty of Applied Arts Research Development and Resource Centre (RDRC) at the university.He indicated that the fund would seek to provide opportunity for skills development, innovations, applied research and publication of research findings. “The establishment of the RID Fund will also assist TTU researchers in developing innovative interdisciplinary programmes that have strong potential for training highly qualified human resource for industry,” he added.Building capacityThe vice chancellor was confident that the Faculty of Applied Arts Research Development and Resource Centre would support the university’s mission of building staff and student’s capacities in various aspects of research management to stimulate ingenuity and creativity for national development.In addition, he said: “The RDRC will equip beneficiaries with modern research paradigms and methodologies in line with contemporary pedagogical trends in teaching and learning.”ResourcesIn his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Mr Kofi Asante Kyei, indicated that the RDRC would, among other things, organise resources (books, journals, and periodicals), forming research groups and the production of annual research reports of the faculty and added, “This will go a long way to project the faculty and also promote human resource development”.