College of Health Sciences holds confab to share students’ research
The College of Health Sciences of the University of Ghana has created a platform at a day’s research conference for students to share their research findings with other students and the public.
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Dubbed the “First MDS Lancet students’ research conference in health sciences,” the conference sought to motivate young students to choose research as a career in the country.
The conference, which was on the theme, “Fostering Research in early tertiary education”, was aimed at showcasing the research and scholarly activity of undergraduate research work in the university.
It was also to acknowledge the invaluable role of research and faculty mentorship in early academic development.
Research works presented
The students presented research works such as, “Hearing impairment among chronic kidney disease patients at a tertiary hospital in Ghana”, “Determination of herpes viruses in patients with periodontitis at the University of Ghana School of Medicine and Dentistry,” and “Oral hygiene and aetiology of dentoalveolar abscess.”
Other research works were, “Perceptions of male infertility among men: a study in Accra Metropolis,” “Household cockroaches as reservoir of enterobacterial that produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases, class C cephaloporinases and carbapenemases”, “Experiences of young adults living with stroke in the Accra Metropolis” and “Experiences of patients with surgical site infections in the Accra Metropolis,” as well as “Psycho-social experience of people living with hepatitis B infection in Accra Metropolis.”
Nurturing students to be researchers
Speaking on the topic, “Nurturing our best potentials into research,” The Director of Research of the University of Ghana, Professor Andrew A. Adjei said, it was the responsibility of lecturers to guide and coach students to become world-class researchers.
In selecting a mentor and a supervisor, he advised, “your mentor must be knowledgeable and available. Your supervisor must be interested in your work.
“Choose supervisors who would always be available. Find people you admire. Cultivate a relationship with your professors,” he advised.
Prof. Adjei advised the students to form research teams to enhance their work and urged them to be self-driven, develop a career in research, apply for research grants and publish their research work at least once a year.
The Dean of the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, Professor Henry Asare Anane, who spoke on “Strengthening research at the departmental level: the role of students,” urged the students to organise journal clubs in order to build their research career.
Speaking on “Promoting quality undergraduate research,” The Chair of the College Research Board, Prof. K. M. Bosompem, urged the students to constantly share their research findings and get them published in the local media.
Importance of research
The Lab Manager of MDS Lancet, Mr Paul Owusu Oduro, said research was the backbone in every development and explained that research had lots of benefits.
He, therefore, said investing in research and human resource development was the best investment to make, adding that, “We all have a job to do in solving our societal problems.”
