The Office of Doctoral Programmes (ODP) at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) has organised a three-day intensive training programme aimed at equipping PhD candidates with critical academic and research skills.
The training, dubbed the PhD Bootcamp, commenced on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, and brought together over 60 participants from various disciplines.
Welcoming participants to the bootcamp, the Director of ODP, Prof. Raymond Dziwornu, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting advanced research and academic excellence.
He emphasised the importance of rigorous doctoral training in producing high-quality research. It also forms part of UPSA’s broader initiative to strengthen postgraduate education and cultivate a new generation of research-driven scholars.
Prof. Dziwornu who facilitated the opening session, guided participants through the process of identifying research gaps and understanding the strengths and limitations of various approaches to academic thesis writing.
He urged students to align their research topics with current development needs and scholarly debates to ensure relevance and originality.
“As PhD researchers, your work must pass the SOCK test,” Prof. Raymond Dziwornu emphasised. “Your thesis should be Significant, Original, make a clear Contribution, and advance Knowledge in your field. A doctoral thesis isn’t just about showing what you’ve learnt; it’s about creating something new and meaningful.”
The three-day bootcamp will also feature sessions on key topics such as qualitative and quantitative data analysis, academic writing, and research presentation skills.
Participants also engaged in peer-to-peer feedback, case studies, and interactive group exercises to enhance their understanding of doctoral-level research expectations.
Dr. Timothy Zilevu, the moderator for the training programme, encouraged participants to remain consistent in their research efforts and to seek continuous feedback from their supervisors.
He stressed the importance of time management and resilience in navigating the PhD journey.
Dr. Zilevu also urged participants to take the practical session seriously, adding that “the use of practical tools is intended to help participants refine their research methodologies and improve academic writing standards.”
