2 “The greatest challenge that our country faces is the development <strong>of</strong> a critical mass <strong>of</strong> well qualified and top notch researchers, especially in science and technology.”
<strong>Research</strong> is development – celebrating a year <strong>of</strong> achievement PROF. MAnDlA MAkHAnyA PRO VICE-CHAnCEllOR THE POTEnTIAl FOR RESEARCH to become a catalyst for <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>’s development agenda is enormous. In various plans, statements, initiatives and white papers, the government has made the same point over the past decade and half. For <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>, research is neither an optional extra nor a mere luxury. The need for research-led development is so great that no <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>n institution <strong>of</strong> higher learning and no major <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>n corporation can contribute to this country’s development without becoming engaged in research. Almost all our developmental challenges can only be addressed through strategies and interventions based on rigorous research. Consider the following selection <strong>of</strong> our developmental challenges: energy outages and shortages, unbearable traffic volumes in our urban centres, climate change, water sanitation, accessibility <strong>of</strong> justice to all citizens, social cohesion, racism, patriarchy, moral degeneration, literacy levels and violence against women. The only way we can respond to these and many other challenges in an informed, affordable and sustainable manner is through research. However, the greatest challenge that our country faces is the development <strong>of</strong> a critical mass <strong>of</strong> well qualied and top notch researchers, especially (but not exclusively) in science and technology. Without minimising the need for funding, equipment and technology in the <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>n innovation system, the most basic <strong>of</strong> our needs are warm human bodies with the capacity to engage in research and the wherewithal to produce the requisite research outputs. Indeed, our research funding, equipment and technology interventions should be geared towards research human resource development. Thus is one <strong>of</strong> the weaker links in <strong>South</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>’s innovation system. Few institutions <strong>of</strong> higher learning have understood these challenges better than <strong>Unisa</strong>. In <strong>2008</strong>, the Institution launched and continued to roll out a suite <strong>of</strong> initiatives, interventions and projects whose central aim is the development <strong>of</strong> a critical mass <strong>of</strong> researchers. Such initiatives include: • The Postgraduate Bursary for Master’s and Doctoral Students (which is available to master’s and doctoral students on merit regardless <strong>of</strong> nationality) • The Master’s and Doctoral Support Programme for staff members (enrolled for master’s and doctoral studies at <strong>Unisa</strong> and elsewhere) • The young Academics Programme (a retention and training programme for young staff members) • The <strong>Unisa</strong> Women in <strong>Research</strong> Initiative • The <strong>Unisa</strong> <strong>Research</strong> Training Programme (aimed at all categories <strong>of</strong> researchers throughout the year) • The collaborative <strong>Unisa</strong>–nRF Thuthuka Programme • Various interventions aimed at developing researchers in all Colleges • Advanced plans to establish an Institute for Graduate Studies in the <strong>University</strong> • The transformation <strong>of</strong> the Florida Campus into a Science Hub • The transformation <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Unisa</strong> Main Campus library into a leading <strong>Research</strong> library. Although many <strong>of</strong> the above initiatives are new and being rolled out, the response <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Unisa</strong> research community has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic all round. It is clear that the <strong>University</strong> is making the right kinds <strong>of</strong> both long and short term ‘investments’ in research development. The returns will not be immediate, but our determination to make the strategic investments and make them now is there for all to see. In a few years, the impact <strong>of</strong> these initiatives and investments should begin to be felt within and beyond <strong>Unisa</strong>. While they are the most strategic and most important, the research development initiatives do not exhaust our entire research effort. We boast a growing number <strong>of</strong> rated researchers to whom we are providing more tting recognition and support. For the past ve years, we have consistently surpassed our target <strong>of</strong> ten new rated researchers per annum. Similarly, the recognition and support provided to both supervisors and postgraduate students will impact on the throughput and graduation rates <strong>of</strong> our postgraduate students. The various prizes and incentives we provide for researchers are pro<strong>of</strong> that as an institution, we are committed to the rewarding <strong>of</strong> excellence in research. Our commitment to the development <strong>of</strong> research in the applied and natural sciences is further indicated in the dedication <strong>of</strong> the Florida Campus to the natural and applied sciences. The appointment <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong>. Catherine Hoppers in the SARChI Chair in Development Education is making the right kinds <strong>of</strong> academic waves in the Institution, especially in consolidating our focus on multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research. I am excited with our strategic initiatives and interventions. I look back to <strong>2008</strong> with pride at what <strong>Unisa</strong> has achieved in terms <strong>of</strong> research and research development. I look forward to doing even better in 2009. For <strong>Unisa</strong>, research is development. 3
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