To fortify research initiatives, instructors at the University of Media, Arts, and Communication (UniMAC) have been urged to actively cultivate and enhance their academic profiles.
The encouragement was part of an inter-faculty lecture organized by the Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Development (DRID) within UniMAC.
This initiative reflects UniMAC-DRID’s commitment to empower faculty members in obtaining funding for their research projects, a task often challenging for many researchers.
Dr. Etse Sikanku, Director of DRID, emphasized the importance of grant writing and noted that the inter-faculty lecture aimed to familiarize faculty and staff with the various elements and strategies integral to the grant writing process.
An Associate Professor and Dean of the School of Information and Communication Studies at the University of Ghana, Professor Akosua Darkwa, served as the resource person for the seminar.
Speaking on the topic ‘Grant Writing Master class,’ she urged lecturers to establish a strong academic presence to secure funds for their research projects.
Professor Darkwa highlighted that building a robust academic profile not only enhances visibility but also positions researchers for success in obtaining funding and facilitates collaborations.
She acknowledged the challenges of accessing research grants but emphasized that a solid academic profile can ease the process.
Professor Darkwa advised lecturers to build Google Scholar profiles, use professional email addresses in research proposals, and increase their visibility by attending international conferences.
Acknowledging the competitive nature of grant applications, Professor Darkwa stressed the importance of a strategic approach and resilience.
She outlined potential challenges researchers may face, including aligning research goals with funding priorities and effectively communicating the project’s impact. To overcome these challenges, she encouraged researchers to be clear in defining their goals and creatively link them to the priorities of grant makers.
Professor Darkwa provided insights into various research funders and their application processes, citing organizations such as the Africa Institute, Iso Lomso Fellowships, CODESRIA, and MIASA. She offered tips and guidelines for winning grants from these institutions and recommended further exploration of their websites.
The seminar concluded with the commitment of UniMAC-DRID to continue organizing workshops and mentorship programs, aiming to demystify the grant application processes for research projects—a crucial component for academic institutions.