Researchers tasked to explore and adopt appropriate technologies for sustainable growth

Researchers at a two- day scientific fora held at the Navrongo Campus of the UDS had been challenged to explore ways of mitigating the undesirable effects of science and technology for sustainable growth and development. 

In a speech read for him at this year’s Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, the Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Professor Gabriel Ayum Teye said sustainability plays a central role in achieving positive outcomes, emphasizing that for the country to derive its full benefit in science and technology, research activities must be conducted in a manner that does not jeopardize the common existence and comfort of future generations. 

Touching on the theme: ‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Growth, Pro Ayum Teye underlined some negative aspects of science and technology and proposed the adoption of appropriate technologies that are much friendlier to the environment. 
 
The 2016 Annual Interdisciplinary Conference involving stakeholders from the academia and relevant institutions is the third in the series since its inception in 2014. 

The forum organised under the auspices of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research and Consultation Service, IIRaCS, provides lecturers and researchers the opportunity to share research ideas who by their comments, contributions and criticisms will ensure quality outcomes with the view to achieving the purpose for which the various pieces of research were initiated.  

At such fora, abstracts and research works are submitted for proper scrutiny with follow up questions that requires desired answers. 

This is at the backdrop of promoting intellectual discourse, having realised the crucial role quality research plays in the formulation of policies by governments or guidance on policy issues and direction. 

At the tertiary levels, universities are able to undertake activities through teaching, research and community outreach. 

Of all the three, research is identified to be the most central and the meeting point for the other disciplines. 
 
Addressing participants on the behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the UDS, a lecturer at the Faculty of Applied Sciences, Dr. Emmanuel Arhin stressed on the need for lecturers to periodically engage in research activities to ultimately contribute to societal growth and development while expanding their knowledge base as teachers.

Dr. Arhin further observed that the use of science and technology for the advancement of humanity has not been only positive but also produced some debilitating effects on both human and the environment. This is as a result of its wrong application. 

Dr. Arhin however, challenged researchers to be innovative and come out with findings that will lessen the effects on the environment.

In an interview with Radio Ghana, a Public Health Physician and the Director of the Navrongo Health Research Institute, Dr. Abraham Rexford Oduro, bemoaned the practice where some researchers develop sheer apathy in documenting their research works.  

He said due to this practice, most researchers lose their work to other colleagues since they are unable to finalize them for publication. 

The Deputy Upper East Regional Minister, Dr. Robert Kuganab-Lem who was the guest speaker expressed government’s readiness to make judicious use of the ideas and policy recommendation that will emanate from the conference especially on unplanned spatial planning of MMDAs as well as institutional reforms and land acquisition procedures. 

He also challenged researchers to assist the various assemblies come out with plans that can invariably fit into the national development plan for speedy socio-economic growth.  

GBC