Addressing socioeconomic priorities and challenges
HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH: The Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Oceans recently hosted the CPUT-FEDRATI Research Uptake Seminar.
Photos: Iviwe Tom
Research is an integral tool in transforming society - it should benefit and change people’s lives. As such, the Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships (SIP) Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Oceans recently hosted the CPUT-FEDRATI Research Uptake Seminar.
The event, themed: Enhancing Relevance and Research Impact, was held at Bellville Campus. Addressing the seminar, Dr Mark Botha, Executive Director of the Fisheries Economic Development Research Advisory and Training Institute (FEDRATI), said the strategic partnership between FEDRATI and CPUT was established to foster collaboration between the industry and academia. “The partnership exceeded our expectations,” Botha touted.
About 15 students who received bursaries from FEDRATI under the Centre for Sustainable Oceans delivered their presentations. Manager: Research Uptake: SIP, Dr Nelisiwe Maleka and Associate Professor at Horticultural Sciences Department, Felix Nchu welcomed the guests. Among the guests was Dr Nathalie Viljoen, Head of Research at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and supervisors of the presenters.
Maleka said as an engaged institution, CPUT is committed to conducting relevant and responsive research with impact to address socioeconomic priorities and challenges. Maleka stated that the seminar was part of Activity 4: Develop and facilitate activities and appropriate systems to promote and support research uptake under the University Capacity Development Grant Project 5 for Staff Development Research.
The purpose of the seminar was three-folded: 1. To provide a platform for postgraduate students to showcase their research 2. To enhance research uptake from the onset and during the research cycle. 3. To encourage emerging researchers to understand the value of research uptake and impact.
Dr Conrad Sparks, Acting CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy, said The CPUT partnership with FEDRATI is an excellent example of research engagement with communities. “We have aligned our research activities and bursary allocations to that of FEDRATI. We are planning to engage more closely with communities to share the research done at CPUT and to assist in developing new research projects based on the needs of communities in Cape Town and the Western Cape.”
Sparks said the partnership benefits CPUT by providing students with bursaries and fostering collaboration across disciplines, departments and faculties. The partnership also benefits FEDRATI by providing new knowledge about the fisheries and related sectors in the Western Cape. “We, however, need to be more focused on the scope of research planned for the future by communicating the research to affected stakeholders, particularly coastal communities.”
Addressing the seminar, Botha talked about the importance of interdisciplinary research to address the developmental challenges within the fisheries and allied sectors. He also revealed that FEDRATI provides financial support to CPUT students with the assistance of Brimstone Investment Corporation and Sea Harvest Corporation. “Moreover, we facilitate greater engagement between industry and CPUT.”
Reflecting on the event, Botha said: “The event was well executed. The students articulated their research succinctly. The research presented definitely adds value to the maritime industry. Moreover, valuable networks have been established for future collaboration.”
Also reflecting on the event, Sparks said: “The event was a great success. The aim of the event was to create a platform for students to showcase their research to the industry as well as have a platform to practice public speaking. The feedback received from colleagues and Dr Botha is that we are conducting very high-quality research.”
