Welcoming delegates at the Ocean Sciences Campus in Summerstrand, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa emphasised the growing impact of the annual event, now in its fourth year.
?width=400&height=311)
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sibongile Muthwa
“This year's theme, ‘transformative knowledge for a just, sustainable and innovative Africa’, and our tagline, ‘from quantum frontiers to community solutions, advancing knowledge for society’, speak directly to the journey we are on,” she said.
Professor Muthwa stressed that the University viewed Research Week as more than just a conference: “It is a commitment to advance knowledge that transforms society, to ensure that new technologies serve humanity rather than deepen inequality,” she said.
“If our research does not address itself to these commanding challenges, it would not be living up to its purpose in terms of our university's guiding strategy Vision 2030.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Professor Azwinndini Muronga, echoed the sentiment.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation Professor Muronga Azwinndini Muronga
“The theme and tagline of Research Week are not merely abstract words,” he said.
“They reflect the reality we face daily but, on the other hand, the frontiers of knowledge are expanding at breathtaking speeds. Today, there is ChatGPT, tomorrow, there is something else. That's the speed with which things are changing.”
For this reason, research at Mandela University should be the driver and not the follower.
Prof Muronga highlighted three key research imperatives: transcending disciplinary boundaries, centring African agency and ensuring inclusivity.
“Complex problems cannot be solved by one discipline alone. This week’s programme is deliberately transdisciplinary, with conversations ranging from humanities and social sciences to physics and quantum optics to health, epidemiology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation,” he said.
“Too often, Africa is seen as a recipient of knowledge, and we want to also be the producers of transformative ideas.”
Nelson Mandela University, Prof Muronga noted, is asserting itself as a continental hub through initiatives such as the Mandela University Africa Hub, sustainability science chairs, and partnerships with the Global Challenges University Alliance, the Association of African Universities and the Australia-Africa University Network.
“Throughout this week, you will hear about our postdoctoral fellows and research and innovation chairs whose work tackles local and global challenges. We are highlighting student research and innovation through the Three Minute Thesis competition, and hosting dialogues on public health, intra-African partnerships, AI ethics and quantum science.
“Let us make sure that from quantum frontiers to community solutions, Nelson Mandela University is indeed gearing up as a university in service of society.”
Research Week runs until Friday, 12 September at the Ocean Sciences Campus in Summerstrand.