by Kegorapetse | Mar 29, 2021 | Research
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is a newly established university providing holistic Health Sciences Education, and is situated at Ga-Rankuwa. One of SMU strategic goal focuses on “Building a foundation of excellence in research, teaching and learning and community engagement”
SMU is inviting postdoctoral fellowship positions in the following schools:
School of Health Care Sciences – HIV/AIDS and older persons, decolonization and Mental Health
School of Pharmacy – Public health aspects of vaccinology, including antimicrobial stewardship
School of Science and Technology – Biochemistry (Medicinal Plants / phytochemistry) and Physics (Condensed Matter Physics: Nanomaterials synthesis and characterization).
School of Medicine – Microbiology (immunology)
The incumbents will be responsible to conduct research on an approved research niche under the supervision of an Established Researcher. Required to publish the research findings and assist in supervising and mentoring of postgraduate research. Incumbents will report to the Head of Department (HOD) and the Principal Investigator (PI): and must meet the following requirements listed below.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen/ permanent South African residency, strong publication track record and experienced in postgraduates supervision
- Duration of the postdoctoral award is 2 years
To apply, please send an application letter, full curriculum vitae with a list of publications, certified copy of ID/ passport and a two-page summary of research interest to research.admin@smu.ac.za. Closing date: 30th April 2021, late applications will not be considered.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA). Failure to submit the requested documents/information will result in your application not being considered. The University reserves the right not to make an award or make fewer awards.
by Kegorapetse | Feb 11, 2021 | All News, statements
Media Statement
11 February 2021
For Immediate Release
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University community radio station – 97.1 in Ga-Rankuwa has announced and launched a Covid-19 Health Talk Show series to educate and inform the surrounding community as well as the University community about issues, preventative tips, solutions and survival guides during this difficult time of Covid-19. The aim of the show is to tackle various topics around covid-19, so that SMUFM listeners are able to get most factual information pertaining the pandemic and to better equip themselves on how to deal with pandemic issues during this trying time.
The show will include positive promotion of health topics to the local audience, with input from SMU students, staff, and health professionals. The current global crisis has left community members vulnerable and disordered about their wellbeing, therefore the health information and discussions on SMU FM, 97.1 will assist in clarifying many questions that people have.
The show is held weekdays on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 18:00 -19:00 and is hosted by Siphelele Lunga as well as Co-hosted by SMU Health Science Specialists including students from the Schools of Pharmacy, Health Care Sciences, Science and Technology, Oral Health Sciences and Medicine. They will lead discussions on various health related topics.
The Covid-19 Health Talk Show can be accessed as followed:
Via
Radio: 97.1 SMU FM
SMU WEBSITE: www.smu.ac.za
Live stream Facebook, Instagram and You-tube
Download App- Radio Garden
ISSUED BY SMU FM 97.1 and Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
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 SMU FM (97.1) launches the new Covid-19 Health Talk hosted by University health experts Media Statement – 11 February 2021
by Kegorapetse | May 10, 2020 | Accolades and Achievements
Media Statement
10 May 2020
For Immediate Release
The South African government is currently under pressure to scale up screening and testing for Coronavirus infection in communities. Organizations and institutions of higher learning are actively working on ways to support government in conquering the spread of COVID-19. To this end, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has designed an innovative new Web APP which will contribute to containing the virus and to monitor COVID-19 related symptoms amongst staff and students.
This App will alleviate pressure on government and other health professionals to provide regular screening for the University community as they go about their work and study on campus. The COVID-19 monitor Web APP which can be accessed through any mobile device, is launched with the view of continued use at SMU both during and after the challenging period of the recent lockdown.
“Our staff and students on campus will be able to daily self-check on their health status by answering a series of questions about symptoms known to be associated with Coronavirus infection, including any possible recent exposures and testing. Based on the responses provided, together with exposure history weighted higher than others, the APP then provides a risk score with relevant recommendations and next steps”, says SMU spokesperson Dr Eric Pule. These risk scores are colour-coded and, indicates either to contact a medical provider and/or call the National Department of Health’s Hotline number that appears on the risk report dashboard. This information would also be immediately available to a restricted number of pre-approved health professionals including the campus health doctor who are part of the SMU COVID-19 response team. The health provider can then advise on the need to either test and/or quarantine or self-isolate. This also allows those who may possibly have reported exposure to a COVID-19 positive patient or who themselves have tested positive while at home or on campus to self-report. The SMU response team would therefore be able to act swiftly with regards to referral for quarantine and/or isolation, as well as contact tracing in collaboration with the District Health Response team.
The Web APP developed by Prof Ayo-Yusuf at no cost to the University, will be used only as a screening tool and it is not intended to replace a consultation with a medical professional. The APP further provides a link to the National Department of Health Coronavirus website (https://sacoronavirus.co.za/) for the latest information on available resources, press releases and toolkits to support staying healthy.
“We pride ourselves as being the first University to launch such a real time screening tool for staff and students before returning to campus in order to ensure collective safety. This has received the support of the Student Representative Council and organised Labour”, says SMU spokesperson Dr Eric Pule.
This is a web App available through the SMU website which is zero-rated (no cost) by all major mobile network providers, thus the data requirement to use the App is zero. Due to the lag time between infection and appearance of COVID-19 symptoms, the University’s Web APP Monitor permits staff and students to in real time report early symptoms, track and understand the trajectory of their symptoms through this self-screening process. Especially important as we move into the Flu season, the APP can be used regularly to ensure early warning when the user feels unwell or becomes aware of exposure to any known COVID-19 positive person. The SMU COVID-19 Monitor web APP will be accessible to all students, staff and joint appointees working at the Doctor George Mukhari Academic Hospital.
“The APP will support the plans by the Department of Higher Education Training, Science and Technology to save the academic year 2020, while also appropriately responding to the call to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, it will contribute and support the recommended 360-degree screening/testing of students and staff returning to our campus”, emphasized Dr Pule.
The APP can be directly accessed as often as required via any mobile device using a link that would be sent to all students and staff by SMS and email.
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: https://www.smu.ac.za
Download: Media-Statement-SMU-launches-Covid-19-App-for-staff-and-students_10May2020
by Kegorapetse | Feb 7, 2020 | SMU Media
The simulator was donated as part of an exchange project in Trauma and Emergency Medicine between SMU/DGMAH and Haukeland University Hospital (Norway) and will be used to enhance the skills of Registrars in laparoscopic surgery. “There is a high incidence of penetrating trauma patients at DGMAH/SMU. Stable patients are operated with laparoscopic access, either for laparoscopic exploration, laparoscopy assisted surgery, or definitive surgery”, said Carina Marais, Project Coordinator of NOREC.
She further said, “The Registrars operating on penetrating trauma patients at DGMAH do not have access to such high level of training instruments. The level of treatment of trauma patients will be greatly enhanced, if registrars use the same training instruments as those of Haukeland University hospital for skill training. This will contribute greatly to capacity building and knowledge of the Registrars working at DGMAH to improve patient outcomes”.
Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf, SMU Acting Vice-Chancellor, Ms. Lene Eriksen, Norwegian nurse, Ms. Hanne Fosse, Norwegian nurse, and Prof John Ndimande, Acting CEO of DGMAH were in attendance during the handover ceremony.
by Kegorapetse | Sep 2, 2019 | SMU Media
After further constructive engagement between Council of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris de Beer, it was agreed by both parties to part ways, in the best interest of all parties concerned. It was further agreed that Prof de Beer will be taking early leave from the University with immediate effect.
The Council would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank Prof de Beer for his contribution to the University during his tenure and we wish him everything of the best in his future plans.
The search for a new Vice-Chancellor is underway and the Council is looking forward to appointing a new Vice-Chancellor in the near future. In the interim, Prof Lekan Ayo-Yusuf will act as Vice-Chancellor of SMU until further notice.
Download: Statement-of-the-SMU-Council-and-the-Vice-Chancellor-to-the-University-Community-2-September-2019
