CAMPUSES & CENTRES

UNISWA RESEARCH CENTREProfessor M.P. Dlamini - DirectorVISIONTechnological Advancement and Sustainable Developmentthrough Excellence in Research.MISSIONThe UNISWA Research Centre serves as the focal point forresearch at the University. It facilitates the coordination,strengthening, promotion, generation, accumulation anddissemination of knowledge and information throughresearch, thereby promoting economic growth anddevelopment and socio-cultural values.OBJECTIVESPromote meaningful research at UNISWA;Strengthen staffing and upgrade facilities at theResearch Centre;Formulate, review, implement, monitor policies andprocedures for processing research proposals forfunding;Establish links for cooperation in handling researchneeds and provision of funding for research;Accommodate diversity in research and encourageproblem-specific and creative research to addressinstitutional, national and regional needs; and,Establish and sustain effective interactions withpartners and beneficiaries of research.EXECUTIVE SUMMARYObjectives and Challenges in 2011/2012The UNISWA Research Centre (URC) continues (i) topromote meaningful research at UNISWA. In this regard,the UNISWA Senate, through the UNISWA ResearchBoard submission, endorsed the UNISWA ResearchAgenda that contains every Faculty’s Mission, Themes forResearch and the accompanying Motivations and PriorityAreas. The UNISWA Research Agenda will serve as themain reference for research conducted by departments andfaculties at UNISWA.The URC, through its Strategic Plan, wishes (ii) tostrengthen its staffing and upgrade facilities at the ResearchCentre. However, because of the economic situation inthe institution as a direct consequence of the economicsituation in the country, has put on hold these plans. TheURC, however, continues (iii) to strengthen the relevanceof, and technical base for research, and availability of keyliterature, through offering research-related workshopsand seminars to academic staff, availing alternativeonline research station at the URC, and the productionof academic journals and research reports through itsTechnical Advisory Committee and UNISWA journals’Editorial Boards. However, the latter activities are alsofacing financial hurdles. URC also publishes online itsresearch and researchers’ profile through the UNISWAwebsite link pages, which are constantly being updated.URC (iv) formulates, implements, monitors and reviewspolicies and procedures for processing research proposalsfor funding, through its TAC composed of Faculty ResearchChairpersons, on behalf of the Research Board. Faculties areconstantly being encouraged to develop research proposalsthrough the Research Board members, composed mainlyof Deans of Faculties. URC also (v) works with the nationaland regional research –related institutions to align theUNISWA Research Agenda with the national and regionalneeds, and to share facilities and mobilize funding.Although the UNISWA Research Agenda is established, theURC encourages problem-specific and creative research75REPORT OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR