Professor Domwini Kuupole, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), has reminded universities and other tertiary institutions of the need to embark on research projects since they would be ‘dead’ without a research agenda.

He said when tutors and students embarked on research projects, they generated knowledge for the university and this knowledge was used to help not only the university but the society and nation at large.

Prof. Kuupole made the call on Thursday when Prof. Samuel Yeboah Mensah, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences of the UCC called on him to present an award he (Prof. Mensah) had received from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) in the United States of America.

Prof. Mensah, who specialises in Nanotechnology, received the ‘International Academic Leadership Award’ at the Society’s 39th Annual Convention which was held from Wednesday, March 27 to Sunday, March 31 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

He was the first person from Africa to have won such an award which was given him as a result of his academic excellence and research contribution in material sciences to UCC and the world at large.

Prof. Kuupole congratulated him for the achievement and said the management, student and staff of the university were proud of him since his feat had up-lifted the image and status of UCC and also contributed to Ghana’s recognition in the global world.

He urged others to emulate Prof. Mensah, saying there was the need to build on past achievements in order to reach greater heights.

Prof. Mensah said he was humbled yet encouraged by the award and urged everyone to work hard in whatever field they found themselves since they “never know who might be watching”. Also present were Prof. John Nelson Buah, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Mr John Kofi Nyan, Registrar of UCC as well as other members of staff.