Page 13 - Report on PCC Research Day 2019

Weaknesses

• Too many tasks left to the research officer to plan and execute.

• No sponsors or partners were solicited for the event. As result the college absorbed 100% of

the expenditure for the event.

• Only students from Waterford High School attended the event. Inadequate follow up

resulted in little or no responses from other schools invited to attend.

• Not enough actionable support from faculty in general to guide and encourage students’

research efforts.

• Prior to research day, not enough effort was put into promoting the importance of research

to the wider student population and challenging the negative perception of research as

being exclusively for only Bachelors’ students exposed to research methodology as a course.

• Lack of involvement of part-time students and faculty

• Lack of total buy-in of the college to direct attention to research day as a pivotal event.

Students in the part-time programme were not encouraged by most lectures to attend any

of the sessions, especially from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

Opportunities

• Continued sensitization of students and staff about the practical importance of research and

development and promotion of research day as a pivotal event for the college.

• Greater Department leadership and involvement with students in research

• Expansion of Research Unit to formally include faculty members from each department and

students from each department.

• Increased enthusiasm and resolve by department heads.

• Untapped sponsors and partners coming on board targeting at least 80% of the projected

budget for Research Day 2020.

• Host greater numbers of high school students, industry representatives and members of the

wider community through improved marketing, invitations and follow-up.

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