by Lorato | Oct 5, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News
An SMU delegation arrived at the platinum belt of South Africa, on the 04 October 2023. This is an area with over 80% of the world’s known platinum reserves. The delegation was led by the Vice-Chancellor,
Prof. Peter Mbati, to the Moses Kotane Municipality to sign a Memorandum of Understanding involving the Municipality,
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and the North West University (NWU).
The air was ripe with expectation; and there was little doubt that this was an august and watershed moment. The solemnity of the occasion was the blessings of the Pastor over the proceedings. The meeting was held in the Mayoral Executive Chambers and was attended by the Mayor, Councilor, Nketu Nkotswe and members of the Municipality; representatives from SMU, representatives from the Provincial House of traditional leaders, NWU, public servants; representatives from the mining sector in the area and Sun City resort.
The participants were warmly welcomed by the Mayor, who emphasized the importance of collaboration. She further indicated that given that the municipality is rural in nature, such collaborations help to develop and provide opportunities to the learners in the area. She indicated that she can contest that this ‘MOU will contribute to the sustainable development goals and overall local economic development’. As such, she emphasized that the Municipality remains committed to public private partnerships and is always willing to enter these partnerships in the interest of economic development in the area.
See attached article for more details
by Lorato | Sep 27, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Student Media
Dr Refilwe Mokgatlha was born in Lehurutshe and raised in Gopane village in the North-West Province. She went to Mmabatho High School, where she was in a boarding school for the entire duration of her high school years until the completion of matric. “As a young girl, I enjoyed being there for others and assisting them. I was also a bookworm, and in high school through the assistance of our guidance teacher at the time, I knew I wanted to be in health care. There were three professions in health care that I liked; in standards 9 and 10 (currently grades 11 and 12) we were required to accompany working people in the fields we were interested in for some time. Dentistry became my first love”, says Dr Mokgatlha.
Dr. Mokgatlha holds various qualifications at undergraduate and post- graduate levels. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Sciences Degree (BDS, University of Witwatersrand); a Post-graduate Diploma in Endodontics (PgDipDent, University of Pretoria); Master of Dental Science in Prosthodontics (MDS) and a Master of Dentistry in Prosthodontics (MDent, Prostho) attained at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University – the first black female to achieve this qualification at SMU. She is a member of the International Team of Implantology (ITI) and the Academy of Prosthodontics South Africa (APSA) and is currently a part-time lecturer at SMU. Her key responsibilities involve lecturing the undergraduate students (Second, Third and Fourth year BDS students), teaching pre-clinical techniques and overall clinical supervision.
“I am not where I would want to be, but I believe I am where I am supposed to be now, according to the divine plan and guidance, there is still more that I would like to accomplish, a mountain peak of a mountain is only the bottom of the next. I will do a PhD in the future”, Dr. Mokgatlha expressed.
Her journey at SMU started in 2010 when she was working as a sessional Dentist in the Department of Prosthodontics. In 2014, she registered for a Master of Dental Science (MDS), as she desired to specialise in Prosthodontics at a later stage. The earlier years were a challenge to her, especially during her time as a sessional Dentist, a Developmental Dentist and an MDS student.
Dr. Mokgatlha believes that, for any academic department to achieve what is required of it, it is important to have sufficient support for the undergraduates, postgraduates, and the rest of the clinical staff to adequately teach, guide and mentor them in the field. In this way, the dentists in the department will be motivated to develop themselves further in the same field of study. This directly speaks to the importance of some degree of stability that can be brought about by the right amount of human resources especially people who are passionate about this field of study, teaching, and learning, as well as those who have an appreciation of teamwork.
“Success is very personal and relative. I believe everyone has their meaning of success, a meaning that gives them a sense of having accomplished something important based on their values, virtues as well and desires. One then should have the perseverance and resilience to push to accomplish, that which is meaningful to them, and to reach those goals we set for ourselves. We should continuously be willing to learn, to fail (if we do) forward, to take each challenge as a steppingstone and keep moving”, Dr. Mokgatlha remarked.
by Lorato | Sep 18, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements
Professor Mathildah Mokgatle, the Head of Department of Public Health at SMU, in the Faculty of Health Care Sciences, has been appointed as a new member of the National Health Research Committee of (NHRC) by Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla for the term 2023-2026. The appointment took effect from 01 July 2023.
She is participating in the broad NHRC and serves in two sub- committees which are the Innovation and Research translation, and Monitoring and Evaluation.
She holds a Doctoral degree in Educational Psychology and a Master of Public Health with expertise in the areas of Biostatistics, Social and Behavioural Health Sciences, and Health Systems Management. She possesses over 32 years of professional experience in care services and 23 of those years were spent in academia. “Besides working in academia for most of my career, I always wanted to contribute and apply my public health expertise at all levels of the health care system. Having served in the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Covid-19 from March 2020 to June 2023, I was invited by the National Department of Health through a call for nominations, and I took the opportunity to join and serve in the National Health Research Committee. Since this was a nomination, I received letters of support from two senior academics who are familiar with my work and outputs from the School of Health Care Sciences (SHCS)”, Prof Mokgatle explained.
The specification required nominees to have expertise and experience in research management, basic research, clinical research, public health and policy research, health system research, social science research or any other health-related research, and community leadership, and her career profile met the requirements.
As a member of the NHRC Prof Mokgatle will be responsible for identifying research for health priorities and advice the Minister on application and implementation thereof, determine research to be carried out by public health authorities, Co-ordinate the research activities of public health authorities and ensure that health research agendas and research resources focus on key health problems.
Prof. Mokgatle indicated that being a member of the NHRC is an achievement for her and more importantly for the University as her participation will ensure she makes a contribution towards guiding the National Department of Health in identifying health research priorities concerning the burden of disease; the cost- effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing the burden of disease; the availability of human and institutional resources for the implementation of an intervention at the level closest to the affected communities; the health needs of vulnerable groups such as women, older persons, children and people with disabilities; and the health needs of communities. Her role will ensure that SMU, through the Research Directorate, will have current information regarding the National Health Research Agenda, priority projects and activities in line with the national plans.
Prof Mokgatle explained that working and teaching in Public Health is a bit tricky because many important priority health research areas need attention and solutions by individual experts. “The diversity of issues and demand for responsiveness especially with disease outbreaks and epidemics needs one to strike the balance of being a specialist within a defined niche area and providing service and adding to the general public health body of knowledge. It took me time and effort to deliver at a broad public health spectrum and to build a specific portfolio that defines me in the area of social epidemiology, prevention and control of HIV and sexually transmitted infections”, Prof Mokgatle explained.
She believes that hard work and being open-minded is crucial for everything once people have identified the direction they want to take for their careers. “Allowing collaboration and developing networks for research puts your expertise out in the public and that attracts beneficial relationships and recognition. I opened myself up for volunteering and giving back through serving in academic, provincial and national committees. My name came up as appointable from the nominations since I have been interacting with the National Department of Health through the MAC for Covid-19, the Provincial Covid-19 outbreak team, being a keynote speaker and journal reviewer in the National Health Research Congress and the 2022 Annual Health Report”, Prof Mokgatle advised.
by Lorato | Sep 13, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
The Academy of Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa held its 42nd annual national conference at Zimbali Resort, Durban, KwaZulu natal. The conference which was hosted by University of KwaZulu Natal, took place from the 31st of August 2023 to the 2nd of September 2023. In attendance were top researchers in Pharmaceutical Sciences from across the nine Pharmacy schools in the country. Different master’s students from across the country presented their work and competed for the Young Scientist Award. This is an award, given annually at the conference, in recognition of creativity and excellence among young scientist, as evidenced by their research work.
Mr. Emmanuel Kiyonga, who is a Master of Pharmacy student at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the School of Pharmacy won the young scientist award for his research titled, “Co-crystal systems for solubility enhancement of Raloxifene HCl in Breast cancer and osteoporosis therapy.” This is a historical achievement given that this is the first time a student from the School of Pharmacy at SMU has won since the introduction of the award in 1981.
Prior to winning this award, Mr Kiyonga also won first place for postgraduate podium presentation at the SMU research day in 2023. One of the critical aspects of his study is to come up with a novel Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient that can improve the oral bioavailability and clinical effectiveness. Mr Kiyonga is currently conducting further evaluation and optimization of the co-crystal that has been developed. Mr. Kiyonga is supervised by Mr. Madan Poka and co-supervised by Dr. Bwalya Witika from SMU, Professor Yahya Choonara and Professor Pradeep Kumar from WITS. In response to his award, Mr. Kiyonga said that….
“I feel proud and at the same time humbled. Winning such a prestigious award is not something I even imagined. All thanks to the team effort from all presenters at the conference from the department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the School of pharmacy, SMU”.
“We dominated the conference with our various ground-breaking research. The calibre of research work presented from all SMU presenters indicated that the winner of the award had to be from SMU. I feel honoured to be the one who won the award on behalf of the team. This was a dream come true for me. This is the greatest lifetime achievement I have ever received, and I know it will go with me for life. I also believe it is the gate way to so many opportunities for me in the academic world”.
The Department and School takes pride in this achievement as it showcased the talent and innovative research taking place at SMU.
Newsflash - SMU student scoops a top award
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Created: 12-09-2023
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by Lorato | Aug 18, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
Congratulations Peter Mbati for his confirmed membership of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP). In this regard, he joins a group of peer Presidents and Vice Chancellors who together comprise the world’s preeminent organization of university leaders. The International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) is an association of university chief executives from higher education institutions around the world. Membership is limited to those individuals who serve as Presidents, Rectors or Vice-Chancellors at regionally accredited colleges or universities. The IAUP had its foundational Triennial Conference in 1965 and has continued to strive for excellence in the following areas:
- To increase the exchange of experiences, levels of collaboration and networking between university leaders.
- To provide a well-informed forum for university leaders throughout the world.
- To contribute to a worldwide vision of higher education.
- To strengthen the international mission of institutions throughout the world.
- To make every effort for the voice of educational leaders to be heard.
- To support sustainable development in a context of global competency.
- To promote peace and international understanding through education.
- IAUP is a NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) holding the highest (ECOSOC) consultation rights at the United Nations and formal consultation rights with UNESCO.
The IAUP acknowledges that we are living in unprecedented times, with challenges and opportunities worldwide. In this context, it seeks to provide a platform for higher education leaders to learn from what is working, to note what has not worked, and to effect the necessary improvements, while reinventing, innovating and extending the boundaries of what we know. It is envisaged that Prof. Mbati’s appointment to the IAUP will have a positive impact not just for SMU but also for our country and the African region in general with regard to quality, relevance and innovation.
Newsflash - Congratulations to Prof Mbati as he joins the International Association of University
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Created: 18-08-2023
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by Lorato | Aug 1, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements
Prof Nozipho Nyakale is one of the only two black female Associate Nuclear Medicine professors in the country, and the first black female to be promoted as Nuclear Medicine Head of Department in this academic standing. She has now been promoted to Associate Professor in the department of Nuclear Medicine and is the head of the department of Nuclear Medicine at the SMU/DGMAH complex.
“Our focus as a department has always been and continues to be ensuring that our department is on par with the best. We offer teaching and service that will create scholars that can survive and excel worldwide. We strive to offer a comprehensive service that gives our people access to what could otherwise be deemed exclusive diagnostic and therapeutic services; and teaching that allows our students to get exposure to almost everything that is needed for them to be with the best in the field”, said Prof Nyakale. She further stressed that they continue to progressively improve their research output and ensure that this is done in collaboration with the rest of the institution, national and international community and produce outstanding work in the area of nuclear medicine.
“This is the mandate I hope to continue with to ensure that we continue to grow together in the department. I believe I am naturally hardworking and always strive to do the best I can in spite of the resources available to me and the team”, she said. Nyakale further expressed gratitude to the great mentors who patiently guide her in multiple aspects of her career. “I avail myself to serve where I can and always hope to make a difference. The achievements are simply validation of your efforts in providing the purpose and service that you are called to”, she concluded.
