Page 31 - SAMRC Strategic Plan

PART B: SAMRC STRATEGIC FOCUS
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transform and uplift their communities in leveraging 10.4.1.8. Research Alignment and Impact
new approaches like Large Language Models. With It is important that research conducted is aligned to
the support of partners from across the Grand the South African, regional and continental needs
Challenges (GC) Network and across geographies, and priorities to deliver a combination of relevant
we are able to make this vision a reality, nurturing discoveries, translational and applied research.
and championing the world’s most creative minds, The research agenda should be informed by wider
no matter where they may live." community and stakeholder engagement processes.

The Grand Challenges network of partners supports According to the University College of Dublin
innovative solutions to "Grand Challenges" in health research impact toolkit, impact of research can be
and development with a vision for a world where academic (demonstrable contribution that excellent
local, regional, and global innovation ecosystems are research makes to academic advances, across and
thriving and fostering solutions in places where they within disciplines, including significant advances in
will have the most impact. The SAMRC is a home and understanding, method, theory and application) or
funder of GC South Africa, and together with the GC societal (demonstrable contribution that excellent
Network launched early in 2024 the first AI funding research makes to society and the economy, of
call on catalysing equitable AI use for improved benefit to individuals, organisations and nations) .
global health outcomes. These AI-led innovations This toolkit demonstrates that research is timebound
call cut across clinical decision support, health and stretches between five different stages on the
systems strengthening, health communications and pathway to impact (Figure 1) and that projects can
patient journeys, support to frontline workers, public have impact in areas described in Figure 2 on the
health and policy making, clinical trials, diagnostics, following page.
and population health. It is envisaged that during
the strategic planning period, there will be similar AI Section 16(1)(d) of the Constitution of the Republic
funding calls by the SAMRC to positively transform of South Africa, 2006 guarantees that “everyone has
healthcare delivery and improve the lives of millions the right to freedom of expression, which includes
across South Africa, Africa and the world. academic freedom and freedom of scientific research”.
In line with this constitutional right and through this
In addition to the AI-led call referred to above, SAMRC Strategic Plan 2025/26 to 2029/30, the SAMRC
the SAMRC will during the strategic planning will promote freedom of scientific research which
period adapt its business activities to address the seeks to achieve both academic and societal impacts
challenges and opportunities brought by the digital as depicted in Figure 2 above. SAMRC will collaborate
age. The organisation realises that with the increased with many stakeholders to identifying challenges,
use of digital technologies there is a challenge and gaps and opportunities with the aim of delivering
absolute need to protect organisational data in relevant, timely and impactful research outcomes
general and personal information to comply with that advances generation of new knowledge, leads to
data protection laws and regulations such as POPIA. innovation, builds the next generation of researchers,
On the other side, we realise opportunities that the informs policy and practice, leads to improvement in
digital age presents including improved efficiencies health systems and addresses inequalities.
and innovation.
.

30 SAMRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2025/26 – 2029/30