The Faculty of Health Sciences hosted its Annual Research Day for 2023 on Thursday, 25 January 2024, at Coastlands on the Ridge, Musgrave.
The programme director of the event was Professor Julian D Pillay, who commenced the programme by highlighting the aim of the event, which was to showcase some of the research undertaken by students and staff in the faculty and provide an opportunity for academics, students, and industry partners to share knowledge, practices, and ideas for future research.
The event also sought to celebrate the research achievements of the faculty’s members and to enhance the faculty’s research reputation and stimulate interest in research endeavours. Giving the welcome address at the event was the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Gugu Mchunu, who highlighted that the Research Day would be an annual event and it was the first time that such an event was being held in the faculty in over a decade.
“Thank you for taking the time to be present, and to those presenting, thank you for putting in so much effort to contribute to the faculty’s research excellence and to share your research ideas with us,” she said.
She spoke on the alignment of research, innovation, and engagement with ENVISION2030, and towards the university becoming CREATIVE, DISTINCTIVE. IMPACTFUL.
Beginning the talks at the event was the keynote speaker Prof Zamasomi Meyiwa-Luvuno who is an Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Centre for Rural Health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) School of Nursing and Public Health and a certified Quality Improvement Advisor. She is an implementation science researcher, skilled in developing large-scale health systems strengthening projects in HIV, TB, and Mental Health with further research interests in Key Populations for HIV and the LGBTI community. She is also the founding member of the Primary Health Care Transformation Committee-a KwaZulu-Natal learning collaborative.
Her topic was on Bridging the Gap: Research-Practice Partnership Towards Universal Health Coverage which sparked extensive interest and discussion and served as a platform to inspire and motivate both academics and students alike.
The day’s agenda included presentations on varied research themes during which participants also had the opportunity to engage with the research community, networking with fellow academics and students. The event was concluded by a prize-giving ceremony and a vote of thanks, by Dr P Pillay, Deputy of the Faculty of Health Science.
The two best presentation awards went to:
- Hlengiwe N Mthethwa: Revolutionising TB Surveillance: Wastewater as a Silent Witness.
- Rebbeca Reddy: The evaluation of selected South African medical plants and bioactive compounds in the treatment of pre-eclampsia.
Pictured: Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Professor Gugu Mchunu and Prof Zamasomi Meyiwa-Luvuno, an Associate Professor and Deputy Director at the Centre for Rural Health at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN’s) School of Nursing and Public Health, at the event.
Photography: Mnqobi Ngobese.
Patience Makhaye
