Launch of RSIF PASET Research and Innovation Project
Project Title: Institutional framework to enhance the Agri-innovation ecosystem within the University of Ghana
AHU: University of Ghana
Country: Ghana
Thematic Area: Food Security and Agribusiness
Project Leader: Prof. Irene S. Egyir
Duration: 2 years
Collaborating Partners:
1. RMG Ghana, Ghana
2. Alliance for Green Revolution in Ghana (AGRA), Ghana
3. Agri-Impact Consult, Ghana
Project overview Preamble
Food security-agribusiness linkage is a phenomenon that has been driven by the natural tendency for eating what one does not grow. Food is needed by everybody and for the volumes required to be available all the time and meet dietary needs, systems inclusive of not only distribution infrastructure but also research, innovation and learning (RIL) should be perpetuated. The University of Ghana has since its institution recognized the role of RIL and established faculties, institutes, centres and offices to champion the course. The private sector’s role in the partnerships has not been be well-defined, to give it confidence for greater participation and investment in research and development as well as the commercialization of agro-based innovation.
The concept
This project seeks to work with strategic partners in the private sector (RMG Ghana Ltd. and Agri-Impact Consult) and international community (Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa) as well as Government’s research institutes under the Council for Industrial Research (CSIR), the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness to support the existing Technology Transfer Office in the University to raise funds and conduct market research for the introduction and scale up of new agri-products, study of market opportunities and identify factors to stimulate new product demand. The project will support the university to update relevant policy documents related to innovation development, Intellectual Property production and technology transfer. It will also support capacity building of faculty and students on IP protection and Agricultural technology transfer processes to create a conducive environment for university-agro-industry partnerships.
Expected Impact
The project aims to;
(a) strengthen the innovation potential of University of Ghana faculty and students towards the development of novel ideas, services, products, collaboration and joint projects with private sector;
(b) stimulate and encourage the development of technological innovations and commercialization; increase the investment of private sector into agricultural Research and Development (R&D) projects of the University of Ghana;
(c) raise the level of commercial readiness through the funding of additional development of inventions / innovations; increase the number of intellectual property (IP) protected results in agribusiness (preferably patents) that have the potential to be applied in practice for the benefits of SSA societies;
(d) stimulate cooperation between the University of Ghana and private sector in order to create the conditions for development of novel technologies, services and methods; and
(e) encourage the transfer of knowledge and technology in cooperation with domestic and international partners from the agricultural scientific-research and economic sector.
For more information contact Prof. Irene S. Egyir (iegyir@ug.edu.gh/ireneegyir@yahoo.com)
RSIF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION GRANTS
Project Title: Building Resilient Agribusiness Practitioners through Design Thinking Approach
AHU: University of Ghana
Country: Ghana
Thematic Area: Food Security and Agribusiness
Project Leader: Prof. Irene S. Egyir
Collaborating Partners
1. RMG Ghana, Ghana
2. Alliance for Green Revolution in Ghana (AGRA), Ghana
3. Agri-Impact Consult, Ghana
Project overview
Preamble
The innovation in the design thinking approach is the shift from the traditional analytical skills development approach which misses three critical aspects of human resource development in agribusiness and food security:
(i) empathy, which is a key driver of understanding how actors, service providers and consumers feel in generating household income or making expenditures;
(ii) intuition, that which is not based on scientific data but is important during decision-making and in all problem-solving activities. How to give attention to random thoughts is a learnt skill that has been ignored; and
(iii) experimentation including prototyping and testing at school level. It is therefore imperative to address these missing elements by offering mindset shift lessons that are being developed.
The concept
The project aims to set up and pilot a Design Thinking (DT) Development Centre (DTDC) at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness at the University of Ghana. A three-year randomized control trial experiment to identify the impact of the three design thinking aspects among a heterogeneous sample of graduate students from the School of Agriculture, with long-term career goals, such as providing business development services, policy support services, product development and entrepreneurship. The RCT will reveal how heterogeneity in agribusiness scale, market integration, and agricultural labor market participation affects demand for the three aspects of design thinking. Partnerships with an International Organization and a Private Agribusiness venture will build capacity of the selected graduate students to equip them with DT tools that will have sustained market demand beyond the duration of project. Capacity of select faculty from the department and other centres within and outside the University of Ghana involved in agri-product and innovation development will also be enhanced as they participate in impact evaluation.
Expected Impact
It is anticipated the results will reveal graduate entrants to the market with different backgrounds require different skills and mindset development tools to adequately address entrepreneurial risks and therefore underpinning the importance of design thinking practices for inclusive management actions that promote resilient agribusiness growth in Ghana. The establishment of the Design Thinking Development Centre at the university is a sustainable approach towards developing resilient agribusiness graduates for the sector.
For more information contact: Prof. Irene S. Egyir (iegyir@ug.edu.gh/ireneegyir@yahoo.com)