The University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), through its Research and Consultancy Centre (RCC), has successfully concluded a two-day pilot capacity-building workshop for academic staff of the Akatsi College of Education.

The programme focused on strengthening research capacity, academic publishing, doctoral supervision, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education.

Dr Felix Kumedzro, Principal of Akatsico, in his welcome address, expressed appreciation to UPSA’s Vice Chancellor, the RCC Director, and the UPSA team for their collaboration.

He noted that building research and grant-writing competencies among academic staff remained a strategic priority for the College.

Dr Kumedzro described the workshop as timely and significant in supporting Akatsico’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional development.

Prof Rufai Haruna Kilu, in a keynote address on behalf of Prof Alexander Preko, the Director of the UPSA Research and Consultancy Centre, explained that the initiative is a pilot project involving four Colleges of Education selected from the 49 nationwide.

Prof Kilu said two Colleges of Education from the Volta Region, namely Akatsi College of Education (Akatsico) and Peki College of Education (GOVCO), were beneficiaries.

He added that two others from the Eastern Region, namely Mount Mary College of Education and Presbyterian Women’s College of Education in Aburi, also participated in the pilot project.

Prof Kilu stressed that fostering a strong research culture and improving academic productivity are critical to enhancing the quality of tertiary education.

He noted that lecturers must remain relevant in an increasingly technology-driven environment.

Prof Kilu said the workshop provided practical guidance on publishing strategies, the ethical use of AI tools, and effective approaches to doctoral supervision.

The facilitators were Prof Kilu, Dr Adam Salifu, and Dr Timothy King Avordeh, all experienced researchers and academics from UPSA.

The workshop featured sessions on research culture, academic publishing, developing publishable manuscripts, managing doctoral studies, AI tools for teaching, research and academic writing, practical AI applications, dissertation management, and project supervision.

Participants also developed individual action plans to support publication, doctoral progression, and effective research management.

The programme targeted PhD students, prospective doctoral candidates, academic staff, and early-career researchers.

Expected outcomes included stronger dissertation development skills, improved supervisor-student engagement, enhanced use of AI in academic writing, better dissertation planning and completion, and practical strategies for managing research projects.

Speaking to the Ghana News Agency after the closing session, Dr Kumedzro described the engagement as highly successful, saying participants had significantly broadened their knowledge and understanding of the issues discussed.

He said the interaction had equipped participants with practical skills to improve research output, academic writing, doctoral supervision and the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence in higher education.

Some participants also expressed deep satisfaction with the engagement, describing the workshop as insightful, practical and relevant to their academic and professional development.

The workshop was jointly organised by the UPSA Research and Consultancy Centre and the Akatsi College of Education to strengthen institutional research capacity and promote continuous professional development among academics.