In an effort to catalyze national development through an enhanced collaborative efforts between research institutions and industry, the maiden edition of the Annual Research and Industry Meetings (ARIMS) convened by the Research Staff Association of the Institute. Held under the theme “Leveraging Research for Public-Private Partnership,” the event brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders in a dynamic exchange of ideas and strategies to reinforce the critical role of cooperation in driving innovation and socioeconomic progress.
The gathering, which took place in Accra, brought together representatives from academia, government agencies, corporations, and non-profit organizations. Participants engaged in a series of a panel discussion, presentations, and networking sessions aimed at exploring opportunities for synergy and collaboration.
Welcoming participants to the event, Dr. Francis Boateng Agyenim, Director, CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research thanked them for responding positively to what he calls a call to duty and highlighted the importance of such meetings to establish mutually beneficial collaborations for national development. With CSIR’s expertise over the years, we are ready to work with industry both private and public sector to support their activities with three key elements namely research, product development and quality assurance, he intimated.
Delivering her opening remarks, Prof. RoseEmma Mamaa Entsua Mensah who chaired the event emphasized the importance of harnessing research findings and technological advancements to address pressing societal challenges and drive sustainable development. She highlighted the achievements of CSIR over the years and recounted CSIR’s contributions to national development through the several innovations churned out. There are successful case studies where public-private partnerships have led to tangible outcomes, ranging from improved food production, infrastructure development and applied research to enhance society, she noted.
One notable highlight of the event was the presentation of several groundbreaking research initiatives with significant potential for commercialization and societal impact. These included advances in renewable energy technologies, emerging engineering technologies, sustainable waste management technologies, among others. Industry leaders expressed keen interest in partnering with research institutions to further develop and deploy these innovations in real-world settings.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Kwame Jantuah, an energy expert and lawyer, expressed his amazement at the multitude of technologies showcased at the event. He said, You are sitting on gold! Using this chance, Mr. Jantuah invited business and industry leaders to collaborate with CSIR in order to commercialize these amazing discoveries into goods and services.
Throughout the meeting, participants exchanged best practices, identified common challenges, and explored novel approaches to fostering collaboration between the research and industry sectors. Themes such as intellectual property rights, funding mechanisms, and regulatory frameworks were among the topics examined in depth.
In his closing remarks, Dr. William Oduro, Deputy Director, CSIR-IIR underscored the need for sustained commitment and investment in fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge exchange. He emphasized that by working together, stakeholders can unlock new opportunities, drive economic growth, and ultimately improve the quality of life for citizens. The event ended with participants unanimously agreed to a resolution that left them energized and inspired, with renewed enthusiasm for the transformative potential of public-private partnerships in advancing national development agendas. Looking ahead, organizers expressed optimism about building on the momentum generated and translating ideas into concrete actions that will benefit society as a whole. The ARIMs platform is expected to be an annual program is planned for a sustained engagement with industry and other stakeholders.
