DAILY GRAPHIC
WENEDAY 30th NOVEMBER, 2011
UDS PARTNERS TWO UNIVERSITIES TO SUPPORT SADA
STORY BY: Nururdeen Salifu, Tamale
The University for Development Studies (UDS) and two other universities outside the country have entered into a partnership to support the work of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA).
The UDS, the University of Louisville (UofL) and the University of West Indies (UWI) will undertake joint research and feasibility studies on a number of development interventions challenges of the north.
Additionally, the UDS has the unique exposure and knowledge of the culture and living conditions in the Savannah areas. It also boast a rich experience in community entry, community mobilization and the sue of participatory rural appraisal techniques.
At a meeting in Tamale between the officials of SADA and representatives of the three universities, the Chief Executive Officer of SADA, Alhaji Gilbert Iddi, noted that the partnership among the three universities would focus on research in areas relevant to the mandate of SADA.
“They would conduct appraisals and feasibility studies on the project we intend to implement. They would also look into value-addition for a number of products,” he stated.
Alhaji Iddi mentioned that SADA intended to establish industrial villages, where various people involve in local industries such as the agro and smock industries could work together.
“These industrial villages would have a cluster of small and medium scale business. When they are together, it becomes easier for SADA and other partners to extend a hand of support to them,” he explained.
The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the UDS, Prof. David Miller, noted that many people were of the opinion that SADA has not started operations, simply because they had not seen any physical structures.
“SADA started working since the law was passed and we have been working hand in hand with it to bring into fruition a number of initiatives. For us, knowledge is not relevant until it is seen to be contributing to the advancement of our communities,” he noted.
The leader of the visiting team, which comprised staff of the UofL and UWI, Dr. Therisa Rajack-Talley, said the two foreign universities would do collaborative research and academic exchanges with the UDS in a number of areas.
These areas, she mentioned, included women and gender development, peace and Pan-African studies, mental health, pediatrics, nutrition and participatory development.
