African academics are urging universities to include the Pan-African Doctoral Academy (PADA) into PhD curricula due to its effectiveness in enhancing research capabilities. PADA has trained over 5,000 scholars since 2015 and has significantly improved their productivity through skill development, particularly in areas like grant writing and AI tools. However, funding challenges hinder broader implementation of these modules in university programs.
Academics and researchers from various African nations have called upon universities to incorporate the skills-based Pan-African Doctoral Academy (PADA) programme into PhD curricula. This initiative, which focuses on developing essential research and teaching skills, has been credited with significantly enhancing research output and scholarship across the continent. The appeal was made during the closing ceremony of the February 2025 PADA Doctoral School at the University of Ghana, underscoring its transformative impact on academic careers.
PADA, an initiative spearheaded by Emerita Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu and supported by the University of Ghana, has equipped over 5,000 doctoral candidates and early-career scholars from countries such as Liberia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya since its establishment in 2015. Participants, including Dr. Soni Rose Kesele from Liberia, shared how PADA’s training modules on grant writing and AI research tools have vastly improved their academic efficiency and publishing success. Kesele emphasized the remarkable time savings in lesson preparation afforded by these tools, urging universities to sponsor future training sessions.
Bishop Fred Korankye-Mensah, a psychologist and doctoral student, highlighted how the AI training offered by PADA reduced his weekly research workload from seven days to two hours. He argued for the necessity of making such training mandatory for all PhD students to optimize their study time and enhance productivity. Korankye-Mensah pointed out that embracing such modern tools is essential for promoting efficiency in academia.
Dr. Collins Badu Agyemang, Director of the University of Ghana Pan African Doctoral Academy, stated that PADA was instituted to mitigate the shortage of skilled researchers within Africa, particularly in Ghana. He noted the substantial impact the program has had on increasing research output and facilitating grant acquisitions. However, he also recognized the challenges posed by funding limitations and existing fee structures set by Parliament in terms of fully integrating PADA’s modules into university curricula.
The Pan-African Doctoral Schools programme commenced on February 24 and is scheduled to conclude on March 7, 2025, taking place at the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research at the University of Ghana. The programme is divided into two sessions, each designed to cater specifically to the needs of PhD students and early-career scholars, further emphasizing the unique academic modules offered by PADA.
The integration of the Pan-African Doctoral Academy (PADA) modules into PhD curricula has been strongly advocated by African academics due to its positive effects on research capabilities and academic achievements. While PADA has successfully trained thousands since its inception, challenges remain regarding its incorporation into university programs. Nevertheless, the necessity for enhanced skill development in academia through programs like PADA is increasingly recognized as crucial for the growth of research in Africa.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
