Research is key to economic growth – Education Minister

Mr Mahama Ayariga, a Deputy Minister of Education, has urged polytechnics to team up with industries to conduct research for a sustainable economic development.

“There is the need to urgently integrate these educational institutions and industries to build on the existing ideas and develop novelty way of doing new things,” he said.

The Minister was speaking at the Second National Research Conference of Polytechnics in Tamale on Tuesday.

The two-day conference is under the theme “Harnessing Polytechnic Skills and Competences for National Development”.

It brought together stakeholders including policy makers, Rectors and management of institutions as well as students to share the outcome of research and products and showcase discovery by various institutions.

Mr Ayariga said no nation could transform its economy without exploiting the benefit of research and protecting its intellectual property.

Rev Prof Daniel A. Nyarko, Chairman of the Conference of Rectors of Polytechnics (CORP), said given support and the enabling environment, polytechnics would be able to develop new products and also commercialize certain innovations to generate income.

He said the support would offer alternative for higher education, especially for technical and vocational graduates.

Rev. Prof. Nyarko said polytechnics’ request for permission to mount degree programmes w as a logical route for academic progress and should not be perceived as a deviation from its mandate or attempt to become universities overnight.

Source: GNA