by Kegorapetse | Feb 8, 2021 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, statements
Media Statement
08 February 2021
For Immediate Release
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is the only dedicated health sciences university in the country. The University recognizes and respects the importance of indigenous knowledge systems and the role of traditional medicine in our health care system. Furthermore, the University values coordinated efforts in response to pandemics, including the response to the current COVID-19 pandemic. SMU is committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards and in promoting excellence in all research collaborations and partnerships, remain paramount.
During 2020, the University was approached by M5 MediGroup – a group of traditional health practitioners, to test the safety and efficacy of an herbal product prepared by M5 MediGroup and presented as a potential “alternative remedy” for SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19 infection. During January 2021, a formal collaboration was established with the M5 MediGroup and the group handed over samples of their herbal product to SMU, with the understanding that the University will follow all its ethical clearance processes to scientifically evaluate the herbal mixture for safety and efficacy.
However, it was recently reported in the press that the M5 MediGroup (Traditional Practitioners) had administered their herbal product to more than 500 COVID-19 patients from Rustenburg, Soweto, Boksburg and Limpopo and received positive feedback from their patients thereof. In the light of the above, the University and the M5 MediGroup (Traditional Practitioners) saw it fit to clarify that the process to administer the herbal product had occurred prior to the establishment of the relationship between the University and the M5 MediGroup and was done within the scope of the practice of the group of traditional health practitioners.
Within the existing partnership to test the group’s observational findings, the understanding between the two parties is that the University would develop research protocols to be approved by the SMU Research Ethics Committee (SMUREC) for testing the herbal product. Furthermore, that the University will only administer the herbal remedies or products to patients once safety has been proven and efficacy subsequently established. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) would also have to approve the tested product before further distribution.
The University will continue to work with M5 MediGroup in promoting indigenous knowledge systems using best practices. History was indeed made when the Traditional practitioners joined hands with the scientists at SMU through the aforementioned relationship committing to contributing to solving the biggest health challenge we have faced in our time. We hereby give assurance to the public that once the University has completed these tests, a comprehensive scientific report will be provided.
***End of Joint Statement***
Issued by following by: Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and M5 MediGroup
Enquiries: Prof M Seheri – Director Research and Postgraduate Studies – SMU
Cell: 082 748 8389
Enquiries: Mogale Mogale Spokesperson – M5-MediGroup
Cell: 082 620 5123
Download Statement SMU and M5 MediGroup on matters relating to herbal mixture for COVID-19
by Kegorapetse | Feb 2, 2021 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, statements
Media Statement
02 February 2021
For Immediate Release
One of the primary business of the University is research and development, through the support by National Research Foundation to contribute in knowledge creation, innovation and improving quality of life of all South Africans.
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University congratulates Professor Sphiwe Madiba for attaining a C3 Rating from the National Research Foundation. This NRF C rating category means that she is recognised as an established researcher with a sustained recent record of productivity in her field. The rating further signifies recognition from her peers as having produced a body of quality work and validates her research niche in the university as well as locally and internationally.
Prof Madiba through her research explored 1) HIV status disclosure across population groups, 2) adolescent health and mental health status, and 3) social aspects of HIV with major focus on HIV prevention.
“My research on disclosure is an expansion of my PhD, where I developed a substantive theory that explains the decision by caregivers of children on paediatric ART to disclose or not disclose their HIV diagnosis to children. The interest in disclosure has extended to work in various other areas of disclosure. I have published extensively in the area of disclosure, and my work culminated in a book chapter that focused on the contextual factors shaping disclosure across population groups”, said Prof Madiba.
The NRF rating will also enhance the status of the university to produce more quality research and rated scientists. Prof Sphiwe Madiba joins other NRF rated Professors within SMU.
Issued by the Marketing & Communication
For more details, please contact Dr Eric Pule, email address eric.pule@smu.ac.za
Phone 012 521 4563 Cell: 0635035587
Website: www.smu.ac.za
Download Media Statement Prof Madiba attains NRF C rating 02 February 2021
by Kegorapetse | Feb 1, 2021 | All News, SMU Media
Dear SMU Community,
We have witnessed unprecedented increases in both the daily COVID 19 infections and deaths in South Africa since the end of the festive season, in what is described as the second wave. In the Communique from DHET dated 31 December 2020, it was recommended that a social compact be signed between the Vice Chancellor, SRC Leadership and the trade union Leadership.
In light of the above, there was an urgent stakeholder meeting to unite in action with a view to mitigating the spread of the virus and transmissions on campus and ensure that sufficient care is taken to build a social compact relating to the responsibilities of each person to avoid further outbreaks of Covid-19 at SMU (see SMU COVID-19 Social Compact Agreement).
Download SMU-Covid-19-Social-Compact-Agreement-Jan2021
by Kegorapetse | Feb 1, 2021 | All News, SMU Media
he Human Sciences Research Council, in partnership with Universities South Africa (USAF), invites nominees for the HSRC Medal for the Social Sciences and Humanities. The Medal is awarded on an annual basis to scholars who have made outstanding contributions through their research in the social sciences and humanities.
The 2020/21 Awards will recognise the role played by social scientists, researchers and academics in South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic which swept through the world in 2020.
Nominations are invited for the following categories:
- Established Researcher
- Emerging Researcher
- Team Awards (2)
Download HSRC-Call-for-nominations-2020-21-Word
Download HSRC-Call-for-nominations-2020-21
by Kegorapetse | Jan 27, 2021 | All News, SMU Media
Dear Students and Staff
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you back, and wish you all of the best for the year ahead. The year 2020 will go down in the history books as a year of much turmoil, strife, uncertainty and sadness. As we all emerged from such a year a few weeks ago it has definitely demonstrated how resilient and adaptable we are as the human race. This year will also be challenging but I am certain that if we work together we can once again overcome any adversity that we might face.
As we progress and continue to make efforts to complete the 2020 academic year we are currently engaged with multiple assessments across all Schools. Due to the current Level 3 Lockdown we have largely moved our assessments to be online using Blackboard and Respondus our proctoring and monitoring tool. It has been worryingly brought to my attention on multiple forums that there is an increasing number of students that are attempting to and in some cases actually committing assessment fraud online. This fraud is taking place through students using secondary devices to search for answers on the internet or via social media networks and messaging services, paging through notes and textbooks, copying from peers and attempting to bypass the lockdown browser amongst other mechanisms. This fraud is being captured and confirmed by the systems which the university has put in place to prevent and discourage this type of assessment fraud.
As such I met on an urgent basis on the 19th January 2021 with the academic leadership of the institution including Student Leaders, Deans, relevant Directors and academic staff to engage on the issues being faced by students and staff with regards to online assessment, particularly students who are blatantly committing assessment fraud. I have to share the leaderships shock and disappointment in viewing the activity reports and Respondus monitoring footage of students committing assessment fraud. We were at a loss for words at the behavior and actions of these students who were committing this fraud. It is perplexing how a minority of students who have been provided with an enabling environment through online assessments to complete the academic year can actually take advantage of this situation and blatantly cheat. As such we have taken a joint decision to not tolerate any form of assessment fraud going forward.
We have further resolved that:
- All students who have committed assessment fraud and where there is compelling evidence to prove such, will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary processes of the institution. Students are reminded that in the professional degrees any breach of the University Rules including assessment fraud will need to be reported to their regulatory bodies which in turn might prove to be career limiting. Thus we have to treat the matter with the seriousness that it deserves. The actions of these students potentially poses a threat to the academic integrity of our programmes and we cannot allow the institution to be placed in a precarious position by the fraudulent actions of a minority of students.
- A document providing online assessment guidelines to staff and students will be released by the E-Learning Unit of the Centre for University Teaching and Learning by the end of the week. This document will guide staff and students on process and procedures to be followed with regards to online assessments.
- An Assessment Indaba focusing on Assessment Integrity for staff and students will be held in the coming weeks to provide an open platform for the institutions stakeholders to develop a shared understanding of assessment and academic integrity.
- Training for staff on online assessment best practice and for students on the use of Respondus will be reinstated urgently. I urge all staff and students to attend these sessions and empower themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to get the most out of the systems that the University has invested in. HOD’s are to ensure that all staff attend these sessions so as to have an in-depth understanding of the systems, their capabilities and standard operating procedures.
We are hopeful that with these short and medium-term interventions we will be able to continue with online assessments and ensure that our assessments and academic programmes are able to pass the scrutiny of both our internal and external stakeholders. I urge all staff and students to remain steadfast in their resolve to complete the 2020 academic year. I further encourage all staff and students to keep themselves safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19, we cannot afford to lose any more of our students and staff.
I thank you for your continued support and effort.
Be Safe.
Download Statement-on-Online-Assessment-26 Jan 2021
