The Stellenbosch University (SU) Division for Research Development, in collaboration with the SU Museum, has expanded its research accessibility by way of its Forward with Research Impact lecture series. The lecture series consists of a variety of talks by prominent academics from SU in a variety of fields; ranging from science, law, and the social sciences.
The “Forward with Research Impact” lecture series consists of a variety of talks by prominent academics from Stellenbosch University, in collaboration with the SU Museum. PHOTO: Liezl Human
Maryke Hunter-Husselmann, the director of Research Information & Strategy at the SU Division for Research Development, mentions that the Forward with Research Impact lecture series is a “core strategic theme” for SU’s Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework. This framework aims to establish SU as a leader in research innovation.
“For us as a division, it is very important to make visible the research portfolio and the excellent research by our researchers to a more broader audience and this is the reasoning behind the lecture series,” says Hunter-Husselmann.
The lecture series was launched for the first time during August and SU is planning on continuing with the initiative in 2020.
Professor Zsa-Zsa Boggenpoel, a law professor at SU, who also holds a South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Property Law, spoke about sustainable development and land reform, especially with regards to the landless and homeless, on 30 October at the SU Museum.
Professor Zsa-Zsa Boggenpoel, a law professor at SU spoke about sustainable development on 30 October at the SU Museum. PHOTO: Liezl Human
Boggenpoel mentions that “interdisciplinary research regarding land and property law is becoming increasingly important” and that the Forward with Research Impact lecture series has provided a platform for this type of collaboration.
“This has certainly been an important development that is taking place,” says Boggenpoel. “More and more, I see in my own field, which is Property Law, that we need more opportunities to come together and discuss issues.”
Professor Gerhard Walzl, a professor in the Biomedical Sciences Department and the Director of the Stellenbosch University Immunology Research Group, also spoke at a lecture on 3 October. Walzl spoke about his research focus on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) and his research division’s contribution to TB diagnosis.
Walzl says funding for TB research remains a challenge, however, since it is not as well-funded as “international big players” such as cancer and asthma. Furthermore, research funding is negatively affected when the South African economy goes into crisis.
“Especially now in the financial climate of South Africa, the funding for all research has reached crisis levels,” says Walzl. “Research is always regarded as a luxury [by the government].”
He mentions that both the National Research Foundation the South African Medical Research Council has been receiving “much smaller annual allocations of funding from the government”.
The Forward with Research Impact lecture series will continue with its weekly talks during the month of November.