UDS Receives 55 Tablets from the WFP for Improved Data Collection in the Third Trimester Field Practical Programme

Intro

The University for Development Studies (UDS) has received fifty-five (55) tablets from the World Food Programme (WFP), furthering its mission to promote development, especially in rural areas.

WFP

Madam Babra Clemens, WFP’s country Director, presented these tablets to the university, emphasizing the significance of partnerships in achieving organizational goals. Madam Clemens stated that collaboration with diverse institutions, including academia, lies at the heart of WFP’s mandate to save and improve lives. This partnership with UDS, facilitated through the Directorate of Community Relations and Outreach Programmes (DCROP), aims to leverage the university’s Community Outreach Programme. The tablets will be used to collect real-time data on food systems, emergency preparedness, and response in selected communities across the Northern, Savannah, Upper West, and North-East Regions. WFP believes that digital technology will enhance data quality and strengthen institutional capacities.

Madam Clemens was accompanied by a WFP team, including Abdul Wahabi Gyamila (Head of Tamale Sub-office and Emergency Preparedness and Response Outcome Manager), Mark Ekiru (Emergency Response Coordinator), Peter Baghr (Policy Programme Officer for Food Systems), Salisu Mohammed (Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Assistant), Abudu Tanko (Logistics Assistant), Nana Abena Dwumah (Business Support Officer), and Mohammed Amin Abdul Wahab (Communication Assistant).

On behalf of UDS

Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan, UDS’s Vice-Chancellor, expressed gratitude on behalf of the university’s management for this partnership. He highlighted that UDS, established for rural development, appreciates WFP’s support. Prof. Al-Hassan emphasized the importance of data quality, urging the Community Relations and Outreach Programmes to ensure reliable and actionable data collection. He stated that UDS students are known for collecting high-quality primary data and encouraged maintaining and improving that standard.

Appreciation Tokens

In return, Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan presented two UDS-branded laptop bags and T-shirts from the Community Relations and Outreach Programmes to Madam Clemens and her team as a token of appreciation. Prof. Adda Weseh, the Director of Community Relations and Outreach Programmes, assured that the tablets would be well-maintained. His team will soon commence training UDS students on tablet usage and data quality.