2011-NMMU-Research-Report - Research Management - Nelson ...

In terms of internationalisation of research, the University continues
to foster a range of focused international partnerships with a core
number of multi-dimensional university partners on all continents.
The NMMU Internationalisation Committee is constantly reviewing
the range, depth and quality of our partnerships, paying particular
attention to new research opportunities in Brazil, India and China,
apart from the wider African continent. The University has also
benefitted from its membership of the successful Erasmus Mundus
consortium, involving five (5) South African Universities in partnership
with a number of European Universities (Leuven, Freie Universität
Berlin, Pierre et Marie Curie, Karolinska Institutet, Masaryk, Granada
and Amsterdam), enabling exchange opportunities for staff and
students around exciting research projects.
At a strategic level, and in line with
NMMU’s Vision 2020, our goal is to make
a pioneering, critical and constructive
contribution - through the production and
dissemination of knowledge - to tackling the
deep problems of growing social inequality
and economic exclusion in South Africa and
the wider continent.
NMMU has created a variety of institutional systems and instruments
to enable the University to more vigorously build its research profile.
This includes, among others, building the strategic capabilities
of a number of Research Institutes, Centres and Units across the
University. In 2011, NMMU has increased these capabilities by the
launch of the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron
Microscopy (HRTEM) focusing on material science, and the ESKOM
funded Centre for Expertise in Forecasting. We are increasingly
strengthening our links with industry, businesses and communities
in the Eastern and Southern Cape. In addition, we have a number
of leading Research Chairs, funded from both public and private
sources to concentrate research and development in specific fields
such as automotive engineering, nanophotonics, and, social sciences,
HIV/AIDS and mathematics education respectively.
At a strategic level, and in line with NMMU’s Vision 2020, our goal
is to make a pioneering, critical and constructive contribution
- through the production and dissemination of knowledge - to
tackling the deep problems of growing social inequality and
economic exclusion in South Africa and the wider continent. We
are committed to using the University’s considerable knowledge
assets to actively and creatively promote a vibrant economic, social
and political democracy in which all sections of society, particularly
the poor, can find a meaningful place in society. We strongly
believe that knowledge and skills are key social assets to enabling
effective advancement and deepening of the quality and scope of
democratic life in the world.
With the excellent support of the University Council, and under the
very capable leadership of our Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research
and Engagement, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, I believe that NMMU
has grounded its research system on a sustainable pathway for
meeting the many challenges of the future. We will continue to
raise the levels of investment, ensure new capabilities are unlocked
for future generations, foster a vibrant research and intellectual
culture, not only in publications and patents, but also providing
multiple platforms for our researchers and academics to play
a critical and constructive role in advancing the quality of public
and intellectual life. It is hoped that our partners in Government,
particularly the Department of Higher Education and Training,
NRF, DST and other departments will continue to raise overall
investment in pursuit of research excellence. It is also hoped that
industry will progressively increase its contribution to research at
NMMU into the future.
Prof Derrick Swartz
Vice-Chancellor
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