CBAS Holds Third Biennial Science and Development Conference

The 3rd Biennial Science and Development Conference of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) has been held at the University of Ghana. The three-day conference, on the theme, “Leveraging Science and Technology for Development”, was aimed at showcasing research work and providing a platform for stakeholders to engage on key thematic areas for national development.  

Prof. Elvis K. Tiburu, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, explained during the opening ceremony that the conference was a platform for African scientists to showcase their research and foster collaborations. 

He stated that the first Biennial Science and Development Conference was held in 2016, and the second edition was held in 2018. The 2020 and 2022 editions did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic and other administrative challenges. 

A cross-section of participants at the event

Prof. Tiburu pointed out that over 300 abstracts had been received from international participants, which was an impressive feat for the conference, and expressed the hope that, after the conference, local and international collaborations would be fostered in order to develop products and policies for national development. 

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, welcomed participants from both the University and outside Ghana. She congratulated the Provost for reviving the Conference series, which had been stalled in previous years due to unfortunate and unforeseen events, and expressed her delight that it provides a forum for stimulating discussions and conversations about science and technology. 

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor

She stated that the theme for this year’s edition of the Conference, was apt and timely as it was of critical importance for UG to continue to explore areas in which science and technology can drive the development of the country. 

Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, urged faculty of the College to collaborate more with colleagues from the Social Sciences and Humanities to ensure that scientific and technological innovations serve their intended purpose.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development (RID), Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, in giving his remarks stated the importance of the theme for the Conference, which he said perfectly aligns with the University's and the nation's research priorities. 

He also congratulated the Conference Planning Committee for identifying key thematic areas that could be connected with the University of Ghana's Research Strategy, which is currently being developed. 

In his remarks, Professor Boateng Onwona Agyeman, Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS), expressed gratitude to all who were attending the conference. 

He explained that the Conference is a platform that addresses the need for an enabling environment and encourages greater dissemination of research findings from the college's faculty and researchers, as well as provide a forum for them to interact with industry and initiate collaborative ventures, in which the industry is given space to table their questions for the College faculty to find solutions to. 

A cross-section of participants at the event

The Provost highlighted the capability and potential the College has to conduct basic research on emerging technologies such as cyber security, biotechnology, and electric cells linked to renewable energy, as well as to form and operate partnerships with industry to characterise locally available materials for potential industrial applications. 

Professor Onwona Agyeman expressed hope that the three-day conference would foster greater collaborations between faculty and industry, and urged both parties to work hard to ensure that the strategic partnerships were fruitful. 

The Guest of Honor, Special Advisor on SDGs, Office of the President, Dr. Eugene Owusu commended the conference planning committee for putting together a well-conceived program. 

Dr. Eugene Owusu, Special Advisor on SDGs at the Office of the President, 

He underscored the critical role Science, Technology, and Innovation has played in driving global development and progress, citing robotics, cloud computing, blockchain, assisted reality, and artificial intelligence as examples. In order to maximise the development benefits of science, technology, and innovation, Dr. Owusu called for appropriate policies, institutions, optimal financing and incentives to be in place. He further called for deliberate and smart actions that put science at the core of our national policy formulation, developmental planning, fiscal allocations, and national endeavors as agents that change the nation's status quo in Science, Technology, and Innovation. 

He urged all participants to seize the opportunity to make the necessary policy, institutional, and fiscal shifts to strategically deploy Science, Technology, and Innovation in order to give the country a fighting chance of achieving sustainable development goals and a bright future for all. 

Dr. Tsepo Tsekoa, Chief Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa, delivered the keynote address for the event. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity and stressed that the conference's theme was central to his organization's daily operations. He was hopeful that the conference will provide opportunities for partnerships between the scientists from Ghana and South Africa.  

Dr. Tsepo Tsekoa, Chief Researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South Africa

Dr. Tsekoa centered his presentation on CSIR- South Africa and their role in research and development, as well as the numerous opportunities for scientists and researchers to engage and collaborate with his organisation due to the many clusters and support for the sectors. 

He hinted that their main goal is to translate basic research into commercialisation and bridge the innovation gap that exists in many African countries by providing research infrastructure to scale up, pilot products and produce products that are ready for commercialisation.  

He said that his work and passion is to see Africa become self-sufficient and sovereign in the production of pharmaceutical and health products, thereby shifting the trade deficit and supporting the economy through job creation and employment opportunities for Africa's young people.

Following the opening ceremony, scholarly works, scientific items, and inventive pieces were displayed at the exhibition grounds at the recreational quadrangle. 

The three-day conference was attended by past and present officials of the college and a cross-section personalities and speakers from various sectors and organizations including the Ambulance Service, agricultural sector, healthcare sector, scientific research organizations, academic institutions and government. 

Please click here to access the conference brochure.