DRID Engages Stakeholders to Advance Grant Vision

Speaking at the Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s office, Prof. Enoch F. Sam, Director of DRID, explained that the new leadership of the Directorate had set a clear vision to strengthen research, innovation and grant mobilisation at UEW. He noted that the Vice-Chancellor’s challenge to the Directorate to achieve one million plus in project funds was both ambitious and achievable, provided that DRID worked collaboratively with all stakeholders.

“With the team we have assembled, it is very possible to secure one million plus in project funds. But to achieve this, we need the support of the various stakeholders in the system so that we can work collectively towards that,” he said.

Prof. Sam added that DRID was not only determined to consolidate existing initiatives but also eager to introduce new strategies such as capacity-building workshops on research proposal writing and grant management. According to him, the Directorate would continue to engage deans, directors and faculty members to ensure that project and research outputs were streamlined, accounted for and recognised as part of UEW’s overall research productivity.

Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu commended the initiative of DRID and pledged her support to the Directorate. She stressed that the success of DRID was critical to the realisation of her own strategic vision for the University, noting that most of the promises she made when campaigning for her position were tied to the Directorate’s mandate.

“When I was campaigning, I listed certain things; most of which fell on the doorsteps of DRID. I depend on you to fulfil my manifesto. We are all looking forward to the one million-plus grants and the formation of a consultancy team that can work effectively within five years. With the right commitment, we will be able to achieve these goals,” the Pro-Vice-Chancellor stated.

Prof. Esther Danso-Wiredu further tasked DRID to expedite work on policies regarding journal standards, patents and university rankings. She emphasised the need for strict academic publishing standards to maintain credibility, enhance UEW’s reputation and ensure fair processes in academic promotions.

Prof. Alfred Kuranchie, Deputy Director of DRID, also highlighted the six core areas of the Directorate, including visibility and journal standards, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, grantsmanship and collaborations with both local and international partners. He stressed that DRID’s interventions would not only focus on faculty but also extend to administrators and postgraduate students.

The engagement later continued at the IERIS Conference Room, where Prof. Hope Pius Nudzor, Director of IERIS, welcomed the DRID delegation. Prof. Nudzor emphasised the complementary relationship between IERIS and DRID, stressing that neither directorate was superior to the other. He called for collaboration and synergy in their operations to raise the University’s visibility and research impact.

“We are the research wing of this University and have been put together to undertake cutting-edge research and disseminate knowledge for the University and the nation. Our mandates are cross-cutting and complementary. We must not see ourselves as competing but as partners working together for the common good of UEW,” he said.

Prof. Nudzor explained that while IERIS would continue to support the generation of high-quality research ideas and proposals, DRID’s expertise in financial administration, grant writing and project management was critical in ensuring that research outputs translated into meaningful projects that attract funding.

Prof. Sam reiterated that DRID’s vision was to position UEW as a premier institution in terms of project grants, consultancies and global university ranking. He noted that the Directorate had already recorded successes with one of its coordinators recently winning two significant European Union projects. He underscored the importance of collective action, adding that DRID was committed to supporting all academic units and individuals in developing proposals and winning grants.

The engagements with the Pro-Vice-Chancellor and IERIS mark the continuation of DRID’s stakeholder outreach. The Directorate has already met with the Vice-Chancellor and plans to extend similar engagements to the Finance Office, Internal Audit, deans and directors of various faculties and units. Through these strategic visits, DRID seeks to consolidate partnerships, build trust and galvanise collective action towards positioning UEW as a research-driven and globally competitive institution.