Kumasi, Aug. 21, GNA - African Universities should modify their research programmes to unlock development potentials of the continent, Professor Francis Momade, Provost of the College of Engineering of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has said. He explained that in Africa, the complex origins, problems and livelihood of the local population, were such that research and development were complicated.

Universities, he added, should tailor their research works in a way that would reflect indigenous technological aspirations and understanding of local industries and the people in general. Professor Momade was speaking at the Third Ghana Developmental Universities Seminar held on the theme: "University Research, change and innovation for development", in Kumasi on Thursday. It was jointly sponsored by the International Development Research Centre (IDRS) in Canada, University of Witwatersrand in South Africa and the University of Ghana.

KNUST hosted this year's seminar, which among other issues was designed to identify university research challenges in Ghanaian Public Universities and find solutions to addressing them by using collaborative research work and experiences.

It was also to identify key gaps in the linkage between university-industry in research and opportunities for linking University research agenda with people-centered development goals.

Professor Momade appealed to African governments to create an enabling environment to encourage researchers and scientists to give off their best for the advancement of the African Society.

Dr Delali Dovie, Leader of Developmental Universities of the South Projects in Ghana, hoped the seminar would help to discuss known cases of the adoption and views of university, science and technology research outcomes for development purposes.