The University of Ghana Pan-African Doctoral Academy (PADA) has held its maiden Virtual Doctoral School from 2nd to 6th November 2020. The School is normally held in-person but was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were drawn from Universities in Albania, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ghana.
PADA supports doctoral students and early career faculty with training, mentoring, career guidance and scholarship. Its predominant goal is to increase the quality of PhD education in West Africa by providing complementary skills that are essential for the academic and career progression of doctoral students and new PhD holders.
The Chair of this year’s PADA School, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs), Prof. Nana Aba A. Amfo, informed the participants that the School offers modules on specialised topics in an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural learning environment, facilitated by experienced faculty who combine lectures with interactive and practical sessions. She encouraged the students to keep their focus on the goal of completing their PhD studies, whatever the challenges. She commended the PADA team led by the Ag. Coordinator, Dr. Collins Agyemang, for working tirelessly to ensure that the Doctoral students within and outside Ghana receive all the necessary support they need to be successful with their studies.
Prof. Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, who facilitated the establishment of PADA, remarked that PADA was established to address concerns over the non-competitive nature of PhD holders produced in Africa internationally. She added that one of the objectives of PADA is to enhance the ability of participants to contribute to global knowledge generation.
Other speakers at the Virtual School included lead facilitators Prof. Oheneba-Sakyi and Dr. Nana Akua Anyidoho. Both expressed optimism that by the end of the 5-day virtual School, participants would be equipped with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for their academic life and career.
