Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called on tertiary students to focus on innovative, solution-oriented research that can support national development.

She made the call during the 58th Special Congregation of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

She expressed optimism that such research, when shared with government and industry, could lead to the creation of solution-based companies and industries, while also boosting Ghana’s global competitiveness in the field of research and innovation.

“We take pride in the increasing number of MPhil and PhD graduates produced every year. These graduates contribute to national discourse through their research across critical sectors,” the Vice President said.

“I encourage faculty and students to continue conducting impactful research and actively share their findings with both government and industry to promote development. The nation is counting on you to be forces of innovation, leadership, and progress.”

Professor Opoku-Agyemang also assured that the next Mahama-led administration would respect the autonomy of public universities and not interfere unduly in their affairs.

Rather, it would empower university councils and management to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.

“The Ministry of Education, through the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, will continue to partner with institutions to ensure compliance with regulations, policies, and standards,” she said.

“Government councils will be supported to operate within the provisions of university statutes and governing acts.

"The ministry will intervene only for compliance, but not interfere with legitimate processes and operations of universities.”