Research Institutions Need To Change Image -Prof Norman

Accra (GAR), June 23, - Research institutions need to change some of the unfavourable perceptions about them that have been taken for granted for years, a researcher said today. Professor Japhet C. Norman, Deputy Director-General of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), named some of the perceptions as the sole reliance on an internal system of assessment for measuring achievements. Others are the execution of many research projects independent of their commercial applications and the excessive reliance on government funding for the provision of their financial assistance. Professor Norman was opening a one-week workshop under the theme ''Restructuring Research and Technology Organisations Towards a Competitive Market Orientation''. The workshop, being attended by 26 participants from the West African Sub-Region, will focus on Industrial Audit and Bench-marking Techniques (methods of analysing the present situation and the change options). It is jointly organised by the World Association of Industrial and Technology Organisations (WAITRO) and CSIR. Its aim is to introduce participants to tools for strengthening the consultancy and organisational capacities of Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs).