The University of Ghana (UG) has established a Technology Development and Transfer Centre (TDTC) to reposition itself as a world class research institution.
The UG said the repositioning was also to ensure that the impact of research output was considered essential in solving key problems in industry and local communities.
The TDTC, which is within the Office of Research, Innovation and Development (ORID), was established with financial support of $500,000 from the World Bank.
It’s under Component 2 of the Ghana Skills and Technology Development Project (GSTDP) through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the Council for Tertiary, Vocational Education and Training, (COVET).
The University of Ghana also made an in-kind contribution of $75,000.00 towards the Project.
The TDTC therefore seeks to facilitate the development and transfer of technologies, initially, in the area of information communication technology, horticulture and livestock to the private sector.
The Centre also aims at extending its operations to other disciplines within the University in the future.
The Centre also serves as a licensing or technology commercialization office for researchers and inventors in the University of Ghana and in addition, promote proactive liaison to parties interested in leveraging UG’s research for academic, societal and corporate endeavours.
The Centre also addresses the key challenge of low level of engagement between the University and industry, by providing an effective platform for the engagement of the University and the industry in a mutually beneficial relationship.
Former Deputy Minister of Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Dr Mohammed Alfa, who launched the centre said it was not by accident that GSTDP was put together but was to ensure competitiveness and make the country an attractive place to work, live and study.
He said government’s key objective is to transform the economy using research, innovation and development as the springboard.
