The Directorate of Research, Innovation, and Consultancy (DRIC) and the Directorate of International Collaboration and Outreach (DICO) at the Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (SDD-UBIDS) organised a five-day workshop on grant proposal writing from November 25 to 29, 2024. Held at the West African Center for Sustainable Rural Transformation (WAC-SRT), the event sought to build capacity of academic staff in research grant writing. The workshop forms part of a collaborative project with Academics Without Borders, Canada.
Chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Osumanu Kanton Issaka, the workshop featured seasoned facilitators; Professor Joanne Oxley from the University of Toronto and Professor Audrey Steenbeek from Dalhousie University. Professor Frederick Dayour and Professor Millicent Akaateba, who spearheaded the event, emphasised the workshop’s rigorous participant selection process and its critical role in empowering faculty to develop high-quality grant proposals and further the University’s internationalisation agenda.
In his address, Professor Issaka underscored the importance of grants for universities, especially in light of reduced government funding. He stressed that securing grants not only supports institutional development but also enhances the individual capacities of staff members. Recognising the absence of a dedicated grant office at SDD-UBIDS, he noted ongoing discussions with DRIC to address this gap. He, also, encouraged the 20 selected participants to serve as trainers of their colleagues to extend the workshop’s impact.
Professor Dayour provided an overview of the University’s efforts in identifying capacity needs for grant writing, while Professor Akaateba highlighted the workshop’s alignment with the University’s goals of fostering research and internationalisation. The programme was framed as a critical component of SDD-UBIDS’ broader strategy to enhance research output and promote partnerships.
Participants are expected to engage in intensive sessions on proposal writing techniques, research ethics, and strategies for international collaboration. Discussions emphasised the significance of grants in addressing institutional challenges, such as infrastructure deficits, and in advancing academic and professional development. The facilitators introduced a “train-the-trainer” approach, ensuring that participants would transfer their knowledge to colleagues within their faculties.
It is hoped that in the end, the knowledge gained would translate into actionable outcomes, enhancing the University’s research and funding capacities. The Pro Vice-Chancellor reiterated his commitment to institutionalising similar training initiatives, positioning SDD-UBIDS as a hub for academic excellence. This workshop represents a strategic milestone in SDD-UBIDS’ pursuit of sustainable development through research, capacity building, and international collaboration.
