Page 165 - SAMRC Annual Report 2023-24

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

SAMRC hosts the SA-UK DHET Doctoral tangible platform for staff from HDIs to gain valuable
Training Programme Delegation to insights into grant funding opportunities and the
tools necessary to enhance their research capacity to
boost Staff Capacity Development at
attract SAMRC support for their collaborative efforts.
Historically Disadvantaged Institutions
On 1st November 2023, in the continuous effort SAMRC RCD hosts Capacity
to strengthen the research capacity at selected Building Conference
Historically Disadvantaged Institutions (HDIs), the
SAMRC, through its division of Research Capacity Bringing together over 170 grant and scholarship
Development (RCD), received a delegation of the holders who are funded by RCD, the RCD Beneficiary
beneficiaries of the UK-SA DHET Collaborative Conference was held on the 20th and 21st of
Doctoral Training Programme to capacitate academic November 2023 in a hybrid format, with the in-person
staff members at HDIs. The delegation consisted of component hosted at the SAMRC Conference Centre
22 staff members working in health sciences faculties (Cape Town). The theme of the conference was “Open
at three HDIs, namely, Sefako Makgatho University Science for accelerating sustainable health research,
(SMU), University of Fort Hare (UFH), and Walter Sisulu collaboration, and partnerships”. This gathering
University (WSU), as well as the Universities of Stirling aimed to provide an opportunity for networking and
(UoS, UK) and Cape Town (UCT). The collaborative visibility for early-career and emerging researchers,
training programme is co-funded by the Department foster collaborative discussions, and spotlight
of Higher Education and Training (DHET), through the progress achieved by these individuals. The
the University Capacity Development Programme conference was structured to cater to the specific
(UCDP), and the British Council. Thus far, it has offered needs of Mid-career, Early-career, and Emerging
10 PhD scholarships to staff to enhance their research researchers; with featured sessions addressing both
and academic development. The objective of their the technical aspects of science and non-technical
visit was to explore the grant funding opportunities skills required to navigate the evolving landscape
provided by SAMRC and how SAMRC can be involved of science and technology. The skills development
in the SA-UK/DHET HDI Partnership programme. The workshops were presented in a masterclass format
visit was initiated by Professor Alison September, with topics proposed by conference participants,
a beneficiary of the SAMRC Mid-Career Scientist which included; (1) Intersection of AI and Health
Programme at UCT, and one of the supervisors in the Science, (2) Navigating your Career as a Researcher:
SA-UK DHET Doctoral Training Programme leading How to establish networks for work opportunities,
the PhD training in South Africa; guiding 10 university mentorship, collaborations, funding and fellowships,
staff from previous HDIs to obtain their PhDs. (3) Behind the scenes of health and clinical research,
(4) Exploring key challenges faced by researchers
Professor Mzikazi Nduna, Dean of the Faculty of and how to overcome them, (5) Developing a growth
Health Sciences at UFH, emphasized the benefits of mind-set for work-life balance, and (6) The Career
the programme at an institutional level, underlining Lounge: Beyond PhD, where to from here?. The
the commitment of the academic leadership to this event also featured a session where current and past
collaborative initiative. Professor Seekoe, who is also a beneficiaries shared their firsthand accounts of the
SAMRC board member, highlighted the programme's impact of RCD funding on their research endeavours
role in strengthening capacity development of HDIs and career development. This session highlighted
and the need for increased support to raise the how RCD has over the years contributed to building
number of academics with PhDs. The SA-UK DHET the South African health research capacity pipeline.
Doctoral Training Programme's involvement, and the The impact videos from the conference can be
participation of past SAMRC beneficiaries, reflects viewed on the SAMRC website under RCD news and
the impact of SAMRC funding. This visit provided a events.

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