The University of Cape Coast, UCC, has honoured Prof. Felix Israel Domeno Konotey-Ahulu, an accomplished Ghanaian Physician and Scientist and ninety-three (93) other scholars.
The awards were presented during the launching of the UCC at 60 Innovation Report, 2023-2027 UCC Research Agenda, and Special Awards Ceremony held on the theme, “Academia Industry Innovation Matchmaking: Practical steps for 21st Century Universities.”
The awards were in recognition of their outstanding research works which largely contributed to the University of Cape Coast’s ranking as a top university in terms of research influence by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR).
The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) 2022 placed UCC as the number one (1) university in Ghana and West Africa, fourth (4th) in Africa, among the top three hundred and fifty (350) universities globally and number one (1) globally for research influence. THE WUR also pegged UCC as the only university in Ghana captured in the top one thousand (1000) universities worldwide.
Awards and Categories
Registrar of UCC presenting an award to Prof. Dorcas Obiri-Yeboah, an awardee.
Among the awardees were some former principal officers of the University- Prof. Domwini Dabire Kuupole (former VC), Prof Joseph Ghartey Ampiah (immediate past VC), Prof. George K.T. Oduro (former Pro VC), Prof Dora F. Edu-Buandoh (immediate past Pro VC) and the immediate past Registrar, Mr.John Kofi Nyan.
Others were the current Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, former directors and deputy directors of DRIC as well as the current directors. They all received citations of honour.
Special Research Excellence Awards
The event also had a Special Research Excellence Awards category for Prof. Felix I. D. Konotey-Ahulu, who is celebrated as one of the world's foremost experts on sickle-cell disease. With one hundred and eleven (111) papers in Scopus all time, he was appreciated for emerging the first top scholar in the University of Cape Coast. He was also awarded for being among the top ten scholars in UCC based on H-index of papers all time.
The awards which were citations of honour were received on behalf of the distinguished Professor by a delegation from the Manya Krobo Traditional Council led by a Divisional Chief, Nene Adjiso III.
Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Prof. Konotey-Ahulu who addressed the gathering virtually, was grateful for the honour done him and his fellow academics. He further donated to the University a bust of himself he received on his ninetieth birthday from Prof. Nadey Hakim, the world’s leading transplant surgeon. The bust is estimated to cost thirty-nine thousand Pounds (£ 39, 000).
Call on Awardees and staff to maintain gains of UCC
Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, reiterated the need to position the University in manner that would maintain its gains over the years.
He noted that getting recognised with an award of excellence in one’s line of work was a positive reinforcement, which would thereby motivate the awardees and other staff to give off their best for the good of humanity.
He used the opportunity to thank the awardees for their dedicated efforts to the University.
Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC