In 2022, the SAMRC established a partnership with the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation (CSSFF) to build a skilled workforce focused largely on the biomanufacturing sector, through a generous donation from the CSSFF to the SAMRC.
The CSSFF-SAMRC program supports the skills development training of young African scientists through studentships, scholarships (MSc and PhD) and postdoctoral fellowships. In 2023, the CSSFF in collaboration with the SAMRC awarded a 6-year grant totalling R6 M to Nelson Mandela University (NMU) to support a cohort of seven (7) Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) students who are both academically and financially deserving. This year, NMU has been awarded an additional R9.3 M to support a second cohort of 10 students. These life-changing scholarships will ensure that the students can pursue their education with minimal financial burden and help strengthen the pipeline of future medical practitioners in the country.
The awarding of the second cohort of scholarships was celebrated at Nelson Mandela University, on Wednesday, 2 October 2024. In his welcoming address, Prof André Keet, the acting Vice Chancellor stated that funding for students in South Africa is a big challenge which has been exacerbated by the decline in government financial aid support. It is through the generosity of sponsors like the CSSFF and the SAMRC that the university can make education more accessible, particularly in medicine which is important for the country’s health system and the health of the nation. The medical school journey is long and demanding both academically and financially. This act of kindness has therefore alleviated a huge financial burden on the university and the families of students. Moreover, the support extends far beyond the personal realm as research studies show that there is positive correlation between educational attainment and the health and wellbeing of communities as these students are the individuals that will work towards the advancement of our healthcare systems.
Prof Zukiswa Zingela, the Executive Director of the Medical School added, “As the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Nelson Mandela University family we would like to say to the Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation and the SAMRC, that we are so grateful for their support and feel favoured by their commitment; and when we are favoured, we are inspired to thrive. We stand firm in our equal commitment to produce the kind of doctor that we can all be proud of, the Mandela doctor, a people's doctor who is capable, fit for purpose, committed to serving our communities and ready to take on the myriads of health challenges facing our country. We look forward to that historical moment when we will graduate our first Mandela doctors in 2026”.
Dr Marlon Cerf the SAMRC representative stated that during the scholarship interviews, it was very touching and inspiring to hear the background stories of the students, who have overcome many challenges to reach medical school, and we are happy that we can support them in their journey. He expressed delight with the academic performance of the 1st cohort of students. He emphasized that the idea to fund NMU medical students came from Dr Patrick Soon-Shiong, a medical doctor and Chair of the CSSFF, who was born and bred in the Eastern Cape Province and therefore understands the challenges that exist in the province. This is in addition to the programmes that seek build a skilled biomanufacturing workforce in Africa. The programme has started to yield results as we have several students who completed CSSFF training internships that are now employed in various sectors and some of have opted to further their studies.
Professor Ntobeko Ntusi, the SAMRC President and CEO, conveyed that “Scholarships are an important resource in building an inclusive and transformed skilled workforce. They do not only provide financial assistance but are also a great way of encouraging an individual to make a difference in their communities. We hope that we will have more funded scholars at NMU, and we will come together again to celebrate the achievements of the Chan-Soon Shiong Family Foundation scholars”.
Each of the beneficiaries have stories that have inspired them to pursue their studies and areas where they hope to make impact. To read their stories, click here
