University of Ghana Isser

ISSER was established in 1962 as the Institute of Statistics to provide a programme of teaching and research in statistics. In 1969, it was reorganized and renamed the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic research with an expanded mandate to conduct research in the social sciences in order to generate solutions for national development
ISSER currently serves as the research wing under the College of Humanities, University of Ghana and engages in a number of policy relevant research whose findings are intended to help policy makers on the best policy decisions to make for national development.
GOALS
ISSER’s goal is to be recognised as a centre for comprehensive and sustained research and training in the social sciences.
OBJECTIVES
ISSER’s objectives are to:

Build capacity for social science research in Ghana
Carry out high quality policy-relevant and development-oriented research and disseminate the results to facilitate the socio-economic development of Ghana and Africa
Participate in the process of formulating, monitoring and evaluating policies and programmes
Encourage regional research co-operation aimed at promoting regional integration.
Attract researchers from other Units of the University and elsewhere for collaborative and/or independent research.

University of Ghana Isser Admissions

For How to apply, see university of Ghana Admissions

Why Study at ISSER

Our training programme is backed by the understanding that change starts in the classroom. This translates into an approach that focuses on training the next generation of leaders.
A period of study at ISSER can be academically and personally enriching. It is also a great career credential. Our programmes are designed to enable students to study in ways that will be useful for their future professional lives. We apply a range of teaching methodologies that reflect the complexity of development studies, which are carefully selected to meet the learning outcomes of each course. For all our programmes, we use a combination of intensive classroom training and hands-on skill-building.
A diverse range of resources are available to students and these include:

a stimulating programme of academic seminars, and other discussion platforms – which provide a fabulous opportunity for students to learn about current development issues, and also to network and interact with a wide range of internal and external speakers.
A wide variety of high-level expertise and experience available at ISSER – into which students can tap.
the RIPS/ISSER Library
the Balme Libraryand a range of other resources available in the University of Ghana

PhD Development Studies

PhD candidates will be drawn from ISSER graduates, as well as from other African and Ghanaian universities, which do not offer a PhD programme in development studies. After a pre-selection based on submitted application and a proposal, applicants will be screened to determine their suitability for the programme.

Founded in 2008, the GGDDS is built on five pillars:

1. PhD program in development studies

The PhD program is directed at middle and upper level policy makers and development practitioners as well as university graduates with an excellent academic record. Every year, five sponsored students are admitted to the program after a competitive screening process. Self-funding students can also join the program, if qualified. The program starts with a PhD course focusing on development theories and research methodologies and provides training in managerial and professional skills.
After the course, the students visit Germany in order to interact with development researchers at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), review literature and work on their research proposals. When their research proposals are approved by their Ghanaian supervisors, the PhD candidates spend up to a year conducting field research. The third year is intended for data analysis and writing up the dissertation.
Future collaboration with German institutions is prepared through German classes and visits to German institutions in Ghana and Germany. Students are encouraged to do internships in German institutions in Ghana during their field research, or to even conduct collaborative research with German development programs in Ghana.

2.Staff Development

Staff development activities for senior staff include specialized training courses and lectures, research visits, the organization of scientific workshops and conference participation, both in Ghana and Germany. Capacity-building activities, as well as shared development of curricula and teaching in the PhD program have led to an intensive exchange of knowledge and experiences between the institutes, and thus directly contribute to the development of staff capacity and high academic standards.

3.Enhanced research infrastructure at the University of Ghana

The scientific infrastructure of ISSER has been greatly improved in order to create the right conditions for advanced education. Students’ offices have been renovated and equipped, the purchase of essential and current literature has been supported, IT facilities at ISSER have been enhanced and the purchase and maintenance of important statistical and econometric software is helping to develop ISSER’s software training facilities.

4.Development

The development of joint research proposals is an essential part of the strategy to safeguard the future viability of the Center for Development Studies. The idea is to attract research funds provided for development research under programs of international (development) organizations and (German) development organizations in Ghana. Both ZEF and ISSER have an impressive record of acquiring third-party funding for their research activities, from German and international funding agencies such as the BMBF, the BMZ, the DFG, UNDP, IUCN, WHO, IDRC, IFPRI and IMWI. Currently, researchers at both Institutes are drafting a proposal addressing (peri-)urban water, sanitation and health.

5.Academic exchange and networking

Academic networks between Ghana and Germany have been established through frequent research visits by ISSER scientists to Germany and through short-term lecture stays by German scientists in Ghana. The aim of developing joint research projects will give these networks additional impetus and will spark intensive disciplinary and methodological exchanges. African academic networks are being strengthened through visits by scientists from Ghanaian partner institutes, as well as from other African Centers of Excellence. Similarly, capacity-building training courses and individual training modules within the PhD course will be open to members of partner institutions. Most importantly, however, Ghanaian and African partner institutes are invited to name candidates who will be enrolled in the PhD program if they match the enrolment requirements. Alumni of the PhD course in Development Studies will remain affiliated to the Center for Development Studies; they will be invited to the annual workshops and may become part of research projects that the center wants to attract in cooperation with ZEF.

MA/MPhil Development Studies

The primary objective in designing this graduate programme in development studies to provide policy-makers with effective tools and techniques for careful, comprehensive and skillful analysis of the socio-economic and political environment, in order to arrive at more accurate analysis of constraints on development, and subsequently direct policy-making in a manner that helps remove those constraints.
It is thus expected that upon the successful completion of the courses under the Development Studies programme, which will in the main, be directed at problem-solution, participants will be in a position at different levels analysis, formulate and direct policy-making to:

Development Concerns in Ghana
The study and Practice Of Development

                                         TARGET GROUP
The graduate courses in development studies will be directed mainly at upper middle-level policy-makers. These are generally mid-career public servants employed by the different departments and ministries concerned with development policy and programmes.
Aside from this group, the courses are also expected to be beneficial to project officers in both commercial and development banks; non-governmental developmental organizations; including those sponsored by donor agencies and church groups, etc.; aspiring university teachers and researchers; and local government development personnel.
                               DEGREES TO BE AWARDED AND REQUIREMENTS
Two types of graduate degrees will be awarded: The first is an M. A. (Development studies) after completing successfully 6 core courses, 1 (one) optional course, and a long essay. This programme will be recommended for staff of public institutions such as the National Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Ministry of Local Government and other public institutions involved with development planning. After completing the M.A. programme, candidates who obtain an average grade of B+ or higher may be given admission into an M. Phil programme. The M. Phil (Development Studies) degree will be awarded after the completion of 1 elective course, a seminar and a thesis. The M. Phil programme will be recommended for students planning to make a career in teaching/research and may therefore intend to pursue doctorate degrees later.
                                             DURATION OF PROGRAMME
The M.A. programme will run for 12 months in each year, and the M.Phil programme will run for a minimum of 12 months, beyond the M.A. programme.

University of Ghana Isser Contact

The MA/M.Phil Coordinator
Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)
P.O.Box LG74
University of Ghana, Legon
T: 0577699900
E: [email protected]
The PhD Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
The Short Courses Coordinator
T: 0289556878/9
Email: [email protected]