The Management of the Regional Maritime University (RMU) has initiated a Plagiarism Policy to ensure quality research output and strict adherence to the ethical standards of research by staff and students.

Professor Elvis Nyarko, the Vice-Chancellor of RMU, said the Policy was at an advanced stage of completion and Plagiarism software has been purchased and installed for use by staff and students.

Prof Nyarko was speaking at the 13th Congregation for the Conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees and Award of Diplomas and Degrees.

A total of 396 students graduated with Bachelors and Diplomas in various fields.

Out of the number, there were 329 Bachelors and 67 Diplomas with 66 students graduating with First Class Degrees.

The University also conferred honorary doctorate degrees on former President John Agyekum Kufour, President Julius Maada Bio of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Captain Aaron Obeng Turkson, former Rector of RMU.

He said research and innovation continue to receive the attention that it deserves as one of the core functions of the University.

“Capacity building programmes continue to be run to establish a research culture in the University with the view to improving on the visibility and ranking of the University among the league of maritime education and training institutions,” he added.

He said it would also accelerate the promotion of lecturers based on their publications and other academic work.

The Vice-Chancellor said it was expected that, enhanced research capacity of staff would enable them to source research grants for further research and partner with researchers in other tertiary institutions to conduct front-line and cutting-edge research.

He said, “It is the desire of the University that in the not too distant future, research grants into the University will constitute about 10.5 per cent of our cash receipts.”

He said Management has purchase a new Electronic Chat Display Information System for Navigational training at a cost of $250,000.

On collaboration, the Vice-Chancellor said collaboration with Bernard Schulte Shipping Management continues to record positive results with the commencement of a construction of a 4,000,000-dollar African Regional Office and Training Centre.

Prof Nyarko said, “It will not be wise of you to expect government to directly provide jobs to all of you straight away from school.”

He advised them to put the expertise acquired in entrepreneurial skills during their training in RMU to full use to create jobs for themselves in the private sector.

“Strive to be job creators and not seekers of non-existent jobs, therefore, you must be determined to start your own business and always remember that ‘Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained’,” he added.

He encouraged them to form business groups, whose membership cuts across the various disciplines and contact agencies like the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme for detailed advice and support.

Mr Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, the Minister of Transport, said in addition to the tripling of intake of the RMU cadet as well as upgrading their standard of training to world-class status was a welcoming move for the country.

“As it aligns positively our government’s desire to train more youth for sea service for export,” he said.

The Minister, who represented President Nana Dankwa Addo Akufo, said government would join hands with the University to double and even triple its intakes in some of the core areas for the maritime industry to achieve its vision.