DHET Director General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi impressed by outstanding progress made at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University during his visit
Director General of the Department of Higher Education and Training Dr Nkosinathi Sishi paid a courtesy visit to the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University on 04 October 2022 at the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati. The Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to provide a general update on SMU and this gave the DG a sense of the current status of the University, existing challenges and its future plans as espoused in the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan which is being imple-mented. Accompanying the D was the DDG University Education Dr. Marcia Socikwa.
The Vice-Chancellor took the DG on a tour of the Campus visiting the SMU MECRU unit, the proposed African Bioimaging Centre, the premium 2,000 beds student accommodation facility and the upgraded Pharmacy Building.
SMU through the MECRU unit is currently conducting a Vaccination trial study sponsored by Sinovac/Numolux Group. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of CoronaVac® against confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases in children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years. The pilot study was launched in September 2021 and has successfully enrolled a total number of 370 participants as per the given target to the site. Other studies currently underway at MECRU include the following:
- CoVPN 3008 COVID 19 Vaccine (Mordena)
- VPM 1002 (Tuberculosis vaccine)
- SHERPA – SISONKE (J&J Vaccine), for booster shot of HCW with Mordena vaccine
Moreover, the proposed African Centre for Bioimaging will house the state-of-the-art High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) that has been purchased through joint funding from the Department of Science & Innovation, National Research Foundation, Department of Higher Education and Training and SMU. The HRTEM has capabilities for elemental micro-analysis, tomography and cryo-imaging which will allow the university to obtain high resolution images to amongst others, support research in the health sciences such as in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
Dr. Sishi expressed his appreciation on the work done so far by SMU and said the path the University has taken will lead to the realization of the vision driven by Prof Mbati. He was particularly impressed with efforts to improve research and development as well as progress made around the academic project in general. “We now have a broader picture of where you want to go as a University. My advice is that if you wish to move faster, find the right partners to work with, including international partners. I also want to give you our sincere affirmation that the department will support you”, said the DG.
Prof Mbati explained that SMU is on a new trajectory in line with its 2021-2025 strategic plan and that the academic project and the financial sustainability of the University are key priorities. He further elucidated that plans are underway to implement the approved new Business Model which will among other things allow for the commercialization of the SMU land which will in turn enable SMU to bring the much needed third stream income. The VC assured the DG that the University will account fully for every cent received.
Newsflash - DHET Director General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi impressed by outstanding progress made at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University during his visit
DHET Director General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi impressed by outstanding progress made at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University during his visit.
Media Statement
Date: 05 October 2022
For Immediate Release
Director General of the Department of Higher Education and Training Dr Nkosinathi Sishi paid a courtesy visit to the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University on 04 October 2022 at the invitation of the Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati. The Vice-Chancellor used the occasion to provide a general update on SMU and this gave the DG a sense of the current status of the University, existing challenges and its future plans as espoused in the 2021- 2025 Strategic Plan which is being implemented. Accompanying the DG was the DDG University Education Dr. Marcia Socikwa.
The Vice-Chancellor took the DG on a tour of the Campus visiting the SMU MECRU unit, the proposed African Bioimaging Centre, the premium 2,000 beds student accommodation facility and the upgraded
Pharmacy Building.
SMU through the MECRU unit is currently conducting a Vaccination trial study sponsored by Sinovac/Numolux Group. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of two doses of CoronaVac® against confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases in children and adolescents aged 6 months to 17 years. The pilot study was launched in September 2021 and has successfully enrolled a total number of 370 participants as per the given target to the site. Other studies currently underway at MECRU include the following:
- CoVPN 3008 COVID 19 Vaccine (Mordena)
- VPM 1002 (Tuberculosis vaccine)
- SHERPA – SISONKE (J&J Vaccine), for booster shot of HCW with Mordena vaccine.
Moreover, the proposed African Centre for Bioimaging will house the state-of-the-art High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) that has been purchased through joint funding from the Department of Science & Innovation, National Research Foundation,
Department of Higher Education and Training and SMU. The HRTEM has capabilities for elemental microanalysis, tomography and cryo-imaging which will allow the university to obtain high resolution images to amongst others, support research in the health sciences such as in nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
Dr. Sishi expressed his appreciation on the work done so far by SMU and said the path the University has taken will lead to the realization of the vision driven by Prof Mbati. He was particularly impressed with efforts to improve research and development as well as progress made around the academic project in general. “We now have a broader picture of where you want to go as a University. My advice is that if you wish to move faster, find the right partners to work with, including international partners. I also want to give you our sincere affirmation that the department will support you”, said the DG.
Prof Mbati explained that SMU is on a new trajectory in line with its 2021-2025 strategic plan and that the academic project and the financial sustainability of the University are key priorities. He further elucidated that plans are underway to implement the approved new Business Model which will among other things allow for the commercialization of the SMU land which will in turn enable SMU to bring the much needed third stream income. The VC assured the DG that the University will account fully for every cent received.
Issued by Communication and Marketing
For more details, please contact Phaladi Seakgwe, Acting Director: Communication and Marketing at
phaladi.seakgwe@smu.ac.za
Cell: 0790751673
Media statement DHET DG visit to SMU fnl
Hundreds show up for the first day of SMU symbolic in-person Graduations Ceremonies
The symbolic in-person Graduations Ceremonies commenced in earnest at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University yesterday 20 September 2022 for the cohorts of students who graduated virtually in 2020 and 2021 respectively as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions enforced by government at the time. Professor Peter Mbati in his capacity as Acting Chancellor presided over the ceremony and also awarded Degrees to a group of students who could not attend the May 2022 physical graduations ceremonies due to reasons beyond their control.
Speaking at the start of the two-day ceremonies, Professor Tandi Matsha-Erasmus in her capacity as Acting Vice- Chancellor congratulated all graduates and commended them for defying the odds to eventually complete their studies in the midst of Covid-19 and other geopolitical factors and challenges. Matsha – Erasmus further urged the graduates to remain humble and kind especially to those who assisted them to attain their qualifications. She commended Prof Mbati for his leadership of the University adding that the work he has done remains visible. The Acting Vice-Chancellor challenged the graduates to fight corruption and any form of maladministration wherever and reminded them that they are joining multitudes of SMU Alumni whom the University is proud of.
Families and friends came to support graduates as they walked the stage and got an opportunity to take photographs as part of creating memories. When the ceremonies are concluded today, it is expected that over 1000 graduates would have been awarded their qualifications in different fields of study from the Five Schools of the University namely; Schools of Medicine, Health Care Sciences, Oral Health Sciences, Pharmacy as well as Science and Technology.
Newsflash - Hundreds show up for the first day of SMU symbolic in-person Graduations Ceremonies
