The Host and Dean, FFLEC, Dr. Christiana Hammond, who welcomed participants explained that “the Inter-University Conference for Doctoral Studies is an academic board and partnership framework composed of sister institutions in Ghana and the West African sub-region – public and private universities and institutions, located in Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso”.

Addressing participants on the theme for the conference on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Rev. Fr. Prof. Anthony Afful-Broni, the Ag. Pro-Vice-Chancellor, UEW, Prof. Andy Ofori-Birikorang indicated his familiarity with the role the Conference is playing in promoting quality teaching and research by harmonising resources for staff development.

He applauded the Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of the various partner institutions and members of the Conference, for embracing the idea of setting up a permanent university framework as a platform for staff development, for training the required manpower, and for exchange of student through the IUCDS.  

“Indeed, I am aware of the bold attempt by the Conference to create a system whereby students of member institutions can register and pursue doctoral degrees in any of the institutions concerned, while respecting the existing regulations in each institution; creating a pool of experts for the supervision of doctoral theses/dissertations to address the active shortage of motivated and well-trained academics in our universities; and enhancing staff development through the facilitation of movement of researchers from the various member institutions. This will also facilitate doctoral studies and promote collaborative research,” Prof. Ofori-Birikorang stated.

The Principal, College of Languages Education, Ajumako Campus, Prof. Dominic Kwaku Danso Mensah, who chaired the occasion, emphasised in his closing remarks, the importance of forging a partnership with sister universities both within and outside Ghana particularly, in the West African sub-region for training staff, teaching and research.

He reminded all participants of the purpose of the conference, which serves as an indicator of progress in the implementation of the objectives of the IUCDS on one hand and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by sister universities on the other hand.

Prof. Mensah entreated the students on PhD programmes and the various departments to avail themselves to work hard to achieve great successes for themselves and their universities.

Scholarly presentations and critical deliberations were done on the following topics “Choice of Thesis Title to problem identification and statement, objectives, research questions and hypotheses; Theoretical Framework and Literature Review; Population Sampling Techniques and Measuring Instruments; and Data Analysis”.

Other dignitaries present were the Head of Scientific Unit, IUCDS, Prof. M. A. ILupeju (University of Lagos, Nigeria); Executive Secretary, IUCDS, Prof. D. S. Y. Amuzu (UEW); Recteur, Universite Charles Louis de Montesquieu, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Prof. Urbain K. Amoa; Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication and Media Studies, UEW, Prof. Kwame Karikari; and Senior Lecturer, Department of French, University of Ghana, Legon, Prof. Robert Yenah.