The University for Development Studies (UDS) has announced that two of its lecturers, Prof. Maxwell Nyatsikor and Dr. Christian Evadzi, have each secured research funding of USD 45,400 from the Jacobs Foundation to support studies in learning variability.

Prof. Nyatsikor, an Associate Professor of Inclusive Education and Pedagogy, and Dr. Evadzi, a Lecturer in Guidance and Counselling, both from the Department of Educational Foundations Studies, were selected into the highly competitive Jacobs Foundation’s Leverage Empower Advance Research Network (LEARN) Programme.

They are among just 11 scholars chosen from Ghana for the inaugural intake of the two-year programme, which aims to strengthen advanced research capacity in child development, longitudinal methods, and psychometrics through seminars, workshops, and mentorship. The initiative also connects participants to a global network of leading researchers.

As part of the programme, the two UDS scholars will participate in the LEVANTE Conference scheduled to take place in Marbach, Germany, from June 3 to 5, 2026. The conference will bring together both emerging and established researchers to examine how children grow, learn, and develop across diverse cultural and social contexts.

A key highlight of the conference will be the collaborative development of innovative research proposals focused on “learning variability.” Working with international experts and peers, Prof. Nyatsikor and Dr. Evadzi will co-develop projects based on the LEVANTE Child Development framework and the Jacobs Foundation Research Agenda.

Following this process, each scholar will receive USD 45,400 to implement their research projects.

The recognition underscores the academic excellence and research potential of the two lecturers, while further strengthening UDS’s reputation as a hub for impactful research in education and human development.

Their work is expected to contribute to a deeper global understanding of how learning differs across contexts and how education systems can better respond to the diverse needs of learners.

By Blessed EDUAMOAH DADZIE