Box 8.2: Examples of Collaboration Between UG and Industry
The UG Department of Nutrition and Food Science has many collaborations
with industry, which have either been initiated by industry, or by the department through faculty research, extension of knowledge, product development
and commercialisation of products. One example is its collaboration with the
Cocoa Processing Company Ltd., with support from the British Council’s
African Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme, to introduce a low
calorie sugar free chocolate (ASPIRE) launched on 10 February 2010. The
department played a key role in the process, from conceptualisation through
product formulation, package development and marketing plan/product
launch. Additional benefits from this collaboration were (a) a better understanding of how to fit academic curricula to industry needs, (b) stronger ties
with industry through guest lectures from industry experts, (c) use of industry
facilities by academic staff and students, (d) student internships, and
(e) sponsorship for students’ projects.
The College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS) (consisting of
the School of Agriculture, the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Institute
of Agriculture Research) have also had numerous linkages with various local
and international industries. In one collaboration with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Concern Universal, a British NGO based
in Ghana, CACS linked up with Bioplastic Ghana Ltd., to develop biodegradable plastic bags for the control of post-harvest grain losses. The Hermetic
Triple Layer Sack Project also involved extension agents from the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture and farmers in two maize growing communities in the
Upper West and Brong Ahafo regions.
Source: IAST (2012)
Despite manufacturing being the key industrial sub-sector in Ghana, the level of
engagement with UG is, however, still quite inadequate. Many of the research
findings and recommendations generated within academia have not been
implemented by industry on account of missing interlinkages and lack of commitment (IAST 2012). Other challenges for achieving a more effective collaboration
between industry and academia in Ghana include:
• Secrecy and mismatch between research orientation of industry and academia
• Difficulties in negotiating partnerships
• Preference towards engaging private consultants for research work
• High research charges of academics
• Lack of research and development considerations in business plans
• Local industries not willing to invest in capacity building
• Import of cheap products
8 Strategic Partnerships Between Universities and Non-academic Institutions for. . .
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The UG Department of Nutrition and Food Science has many collaborations
with industry, which have either been initiated by industry, or by the department through faculty research, extension of knowledge, product development
and commercialisation of products. One example is its collaboration with the
Cocoa Processing Company Ltd., with support from the British Council’s
African Knowledge Transfer Partnership Programme, to introduce a low
calorie sugar free chocolate (ASPIRE) launched on 10 February 2010. The
department played a key role in the process, from conceptualisation through
product formulation, package development and marketing plan/product
launch. Additional benefits from this collaboration were (a) a better understanding of how to fit academic curricula to industry needs, (b) stronger ties
with industry through guest lectures from industry experts, (c) use of industry
facilities by academic staff and students, (d) student internships, and
(e) sponsorship for students’ projects.
The College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences (CACS) (consisting of
the School of Agriculture, the School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Institute
of Agriculture Research) have also had numerous linkages with various local
and international industries. In one collaboration with the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and Concern Universal, a British NGO based
in Ghana, CACS linked up with Bioplastic Ghana Ltd., to develop biodegradable plastic bags for the control of post-harvest grain losses. The Hermetic
Triple Layer Sack Project also involved extension agents from the Ministry of
Food and Agriculture and farmers in two maize growing communities in the
Upper West and Brong Ahafo regions.
Source: IAST (2012)
Despite manufacturing being the key industrial sub-sector in Ghana, the level of
engagement with UG is, however, still quite inadequate. Many of the research
findings and recommendations generated within academia have not been
implemented by industry on account of missing interlinkages and lack of commitment (IAST 2012). Other challenges for achieving a more effective collaboration
between industry and academia in Ghana include:
• Secrecy and mismatch between research orientation of industry and academia
• Difficulties in negotiating partnerships
• Preference towards engaging private consultants for research work
• High research charges of academics
• Lack of research and development considerations in business plans
• Local industries not willing to invest in capacity building
• Import of cheap products
8 Strategic Partnerships Between Universities and Non-academic Institutions for. . .
259