Page 153 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Building Capacity Through of funding if anything happens as UK is now at the
Training, Mentorship, and Support forefront of supporting inequalities research, as of
now there is no disruption.
PORU has significantly contributed to capacity
building by training postgraduate students from Research Translation
historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs).
Five master's students and one PhD successfully Through Arts and Science
completed their research, with training in funding The 2025, the 3rd PACRI International Conference,
acquisition resulting in competitive bursaries. scheduled for March 22-26, will serve as a key platform
Their work has gained national and international for communicating PORU's research to a broader
recognition, including participation in events such audience. This year's theme, Science, Technology,
as the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) in
(DAAD) Falling Walls Lab in Tshwane and Dr Cawekzi Health Research, underscores the integration of
C. Congo's awarded Dhiren Govender Medal.
art and science to foster creativity, interdisciplinary
Additionally, a PhD student received a competitive collaboration, and innovative problem-solving in
SAMRC PhD scholarship. All postgraduate students health research.
under PORU have been trained in scientific writing
and have co-authored research papers alongside The conference will bring together African and
senior members. The students also presented global experts to explore strategies for transforming
their findings at national conferences such as cancer research, treatment, and policy reform,
SASBMB 2024, reinforcing their research exposure particularly in resource-limited settings. A major
and professional development. PORU also played focus will be on leveraging industry partnerships
a pivotal role in the University of Pretoria Cancer and international collaborations to advance cancer
Research Elective (UPCRE) programme, which research and clinical care. Discussions will highlight
provided mentorship and exposure to third-year African experts' insights into the region's socio-
medical students in cancer research, fostering the economic and healthcare challenges, with sessions
next generation of clinician-scientists. The Unit covering personalised medicine, emerging cancer
Director also edited 5 books, and postgraduate treatments, and clinical trials addressing disparities
students were involved in being co-authors of the in access to care.
chapters to build capacity and writing.
Science communication will be a core aspect of the
Navigating the Impact of US conference, featuring oral and poster presentations,
Executive Orders on Funding round table discussions, workshops, and patient
advocacy sessions. These interactive platforms will
Recent US Executive Orders on funding allocations facilitate knowledge exchange among researchers,
have posed potential challenges to research
initiatives reliant on international grants. As SAMBAI policymakers, and healthcare professionals. By
is funded by US and UK agencies, these policy fostering collaborations and addressing cancer
shifts may influence the availability and continuity of inequalities, the conference aims to drive sustainable
financial support for cancer research in underserved improvements in cancer prevention, detection, and
African populations. While no immediate disruptions treatment across Africa while reinforcing PORU's
have occurred, PORU is actively monitoring the commitment to scientific excellence and public
situation and exploring alternative funding sources engagement. During our past annual conferences,
to mitigate risks associated with policy changes. we have also involved patient advocates as part of
The CRUK has assured SAMBAI for alternative plans involving the community in our research.

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