The National Research Foundation (NRF) recently visited DUT on a fact finding mission to establish the needs of post doctorate students as well as to explore the idea of a National Postdoctoral Research body in South Africa.

Held at the DUT Center for Research Management and Development boardroom, Tromso Annexe Building, Steve Biko Campus, the discussions also sought to find out whether DUT has supervision procedures in place for their postdoctoral fellows as well as a postdoctoral policy.

Dr Thandi Mgwebi, the Director of Human and Institutional Capacity Development in the National Research Foundation, was the guest speaker. The participants were Dr Bhaskar Singh, Dr Mohan Turup, Dr Vengopalaken, Dr Algasan Govender, Dr Adarsh Puri, Alison Winger, Dr Bloodless Dzwairo, Dr Taurai Mutunda, Dr Sanjay Gupta, Dr Vimala Kanikireddy, Dr Parvesh Singh, Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Charmaine Naidoo and Dr Suvardhan Kanehi.

“The NRF has concerns regarding postdoctoral fellows; as a result, it embarked on a mission to get postdoctoral students together to discuss issues concerning their practice or study and support in their institutions. It is this information that will aid in designing a programme that will cater for postdoctoral needs as they are identified,” said Prof Moyo, the Director of the Centre for Research Management and Development at DUT.

The NRF also proposed an implementation of new programs within their grants; Dr Mgwebi mentioned just a few grants in this list.

– Slindile Bombo

Pictured: The participants of the recent NRF/DUT discussions at the University’s Center for Research Management and Development boardroom.