Prof. Edmund Collins, of the Music Department delivering the key note address
The 12th Faculty of Arts Colloquium under the theme, “Strengthening the Humanities through Interdisciplinary and Trans disciplinary Research has officially opened at the Great Hall of the University of Ghana, Legon.
The two-day colloquium is bringing together researchers to share ideas over 51 different research topics in the humanities.
Professor at the Music Department of the University of Ghana, Prof. Edmund John Collins, delivered the keynote address on the theme, “Inter-and Trans-Disciplinary Research through the Lens of Performing Arts”. He explained that whiles interdisciplinary studies remain a solely academic pursuit, trans disciplinary studies go beyond scholarly debates as they impact on society at large and involve research in which the public become co- producers of knowledge rather than being mere massive receivers or participants.
Prof. Collins examined trans disciplinary interactions between various Art forms, society the disciplines in the humanities. He noted that Music and Dance therapy for instance used in hospitals and prisons as an aid to physically, mentally challenged persons is of great interest to the Performing Arts, Psychology and the Medical Sciences.
He said it was revealed that Concert Party comic plays portrayed themes such as the collapse of the family system during a period when rural-urban migration was at its peak, giving insights to development policy makers, sociologists and geographers. These and many other examples threw light on the interactivity of the humanities in understanding human culture.
Pro-Vice Chancellor, in charge of Research, Innovation and Development, Prof. John Owusu Gyapong who chaired the opening ceremony, said such forum support the University’s bid to become a research University and expressed the hope that the colloquium would be a dispassionate exchange of ideas.
Prof. Gyapong pledged the University’s continued support for faculty to undertake various research projects as well as participate in conferences to showcase the brilliant work being done at UG. He announced plans by the University to increase the GHC 30, 000 grant given for research due to the current economic conditions, to encourage more research.
He said sourcing for research grants was a collective effort and entreated the Humanities community to lead the way in finding resources to support research work. Prof. Gyapong urged faculty to seek the necessary clearance from the Ethical Committee before proceeding with any research work.
Prof Gyapong, Pro-Vice Chancellor, ORID
Earlier, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Cosmos Badasu, delivering his welcome address, announced that the 2-day event is the last in the series to be held by the Faculty of Arts as it moves into the Collegiate System from the 2014/15 academic semester. According to the Acting Dean, the Faculty of Arts Colloquium, since its inception in 2003, has been a platform for collaboration between researchers from various disciplines.
Dr. Badasu, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts
The opening ceremony was attended by the Interim Provost of Humanities, Prof. Samuel Agyei-Mensah, Former Dean of Faculty of Arts and Interim Provost of the College of Education, Rev. Prof. Cephas Omenyo, Heads of Departments, Lecturers, students and a cross section of the public.
Professor Agyei-Mensah, Interim Provost of Humanities & Prof. Omenyo, Interim Provost of the College of Education
The event was interspersed with colourful cultural performances from the School of Performing Arts.
SPA in a cultural performance
A cross-section of faculty and students at the colloquium
