by Lorato | Nov 23, 2023 | Accolades and Achievements, All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University congratulates its Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Mbati for being appointed in 2 important bodies in the international higher education and research spaces namely: Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and Strathmore Academy for International Research Collaboration (SAIRC).
Prof Mbati will serve on the Audit Committee of RUFORUM for a period of 3 years effective from October 2023 until October 2026. Some of the responsibilities for Audit Committee members include:
- Providing oversight on Audit operations of the RUFORUM Secretariat;
- Reviewing annual audit reports of the Secretariat, prior to submission to the Board;
- Advising the Board on the RUFORUM’s Audit management procedures;
- Considering management’s reactions and comments on RUFORUM Audit reports before they are presented to the Board Executive Committee and the full Board by the Executive Secretary for confirmation.
At SAIRC, Prof Mbati will serve on the Research Advisory Board with effect from December 2023 until 2026 and his key role will be to advise the Office of the President and the Board of Directors with respect to the full range of Academy activity.
- Additional responsibilities will also include reviewing and making recommendations regarding the Academy’s policies and programs concerning the Research Administration, the IRB, Partnerships, research funding, research collaborations, research facilities, research communications, and other matters within the purview of the Academy’s research enterprise;
- He will also advise and guide the Academy on opportunities, challenges, and strategies related to all research, with a particular emphasis on research conducted in the CREs established by the Academy as well as providing advice to the office of the president regarding the emergence of new and existing initiatives that will energize Academy’s research culture and enhance competitiveness for sponsored funding, along with maximizing societal impacts of multidisciplinary research, scholarship, creative works, and entrepreneurial activities.
These appointments have come at a crucial time when Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University is escalating its efforts to foster strategic partnerships with several institutions and bodies in the African Continent and the world in line with its 2024-2028 strategic plan.
by Lorato | Oct 16, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) hosted a Public Lecture delivered by the University of Johannesburg Vice Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Letlhokwa Mpedi, on 12 October 2023 with the topic: Exploring the ethics and legalities of artificial reproductive technology through an African lens.
This is part of a series of lectures hosted by SMU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Peter Mbati with the understanding that a university has a critical role to play in the creation of a platform for dialogue and should get involved in public discourse, particularly, as it relates to pertinent issues in society.
In his welcoming address, SMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mbati underlined the significance of the lecture in the context of accelerated technological developments on the continent, further stating that this lecture is, indeed, timely. Mbati described Prof Mpedi as a distinguished NRF rated scholar with a B rating who enjoys immense international recognition by his peers and further explained that he has published widely on social security and labour law.
Speaking during the lecture, Prof Mpedi mentioned that the issue of Artificial Reproductive Technology (ART), is something he has been writing and researching about for a number of years and that he is excited by the legalities and ethical considerations behind the technology.
“In recent years, there has been remarkable progress in the field of reproductive technologies. These technologies include medical procedures used to address infertility”, Mpedi explained. He added that in the African context, research suggested that the constantly and rapidly changing lifestyle is fundamentally impacting fertility.
“The African continent has a higher prevalence of STIs and postpartum and post-abortion infections which contributes to both male and female infertility”, Mpedi said.
Mpedi used the opportunity to speak about three key areas impacted by technology in the artificial reproductive space such as artificial wombs, genes editing and embryo donation/adoption adding that the use of these technologies will require laws to be reformed. “Medical technologies advance at a rapid pace while the laws take forever to catch up”, he emphasized. Mpedi also called for sound ethical frameworks that will serve as a basis for regulation and challenged the legal fraternity to keep up with developments in the space and respond accordingly.
What became apparent from the lecture is the fact that technological developments are critical to the overall development of society. Mpedi, however, cautioned that whilst it is important to embrace technology, we should, equally, be mindful that it also ushers us into the world of the unknown, leaving us with many questions than answers, particularly with regard to the adoption of artificial reproductive technology (ATR).
The lecture provided a platform for participants to engage on ATR, weaving together, amongst others, religious, economic, ethical and cultural considerations. What clearly emerged from the deliberations is the need for collaborative efforts among institutions to consider the challenges and opportunities presented by Artificial Reproductive Technology.
From the VCs Desk - University of Johannesburg VC and Principal Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi delivered a captivating lecture at SMU
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Created: 16-10-2023
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by Lorato | Sep 29, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) through the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Prof Peter Mbati hosted a delegation of the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) yesterday 28 September 2023. The MQA delegation was led by their Chief Executive Officer Dr Thabo Mashongoane. The meeting took place as part of the University’s efforts to strengthen partnerships with various institutions in support of the University’s academic core business. SMU and MQA presented both their strategic plans emphasizing the need to collaborate more on research, funding of more students and community development projects. SMU further used the occasion to highlight issues relating to curriculum gaps and Prof Mbati mentioned that these curriculum gaps might be of interest to the MQA in terms of SMU’s New Business Model. The session further gave SMU and MQA the opportunity to outline their particular strategies that will contribute to the skills development of SMU students and lecturers, while further strengthening the partnership. MQA currently funds some SMU students and it is envisaged that through the strengthening of relations, more students will in future benefit from the partnership. It was resolved that a workshop will be held in the near future to map out in more detail collaborative projects between SMU and MQA, which will then be reduced into a memorandum of understanding.
by Lorato | Sep 21, 2023 | All News, Alumni, SMU Media, Student Media
A key aspect in resource mobilization (advancement) relates to constant engagements with institutional donors. This involves regular meetings with them, updating them on how funds they have contributed are being utilized, current developments and future strategic plans. The University sees this as a critical layer of accountability and stewardship.
It is against this background that SMU, on the 14 September 2023, hosted a group of SMU donors in Pretoria. Led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Peter Mbati, the engagement had the following key objectives:
- Provision of a platform on which donors could network with the University and amongst themselves,
- Updating donors on current infrastructure development projects, and the university’s strategic direction, and;
- Nomination of two donor representatives to serve on the University Council.
The following companies were represented at the gala dinner:
- Discovery
- Standard Bank
- Modern Community Foundation
- Medical Protection Society
- Royal Bafokeng Institute
- Modern centric
- Straumann Group
- Nedbank
- Sanlam
- BBBEE Consulting experts
- Fundi Capital
- Dwarsrivier Chrome Mine
- BCX
In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Peter Mbati, gave an overview of the current developments, including the revision of the strategic plan, highlighting the challenges and needs encountered by the university in pursuit of the provision of quality teaching, learning, research and innovation. He further highlighted the university’s plans as outlined in the recently revised strategic plan, currently being considered by the university’s Council.
Acknowledging that sound teaching and learning and research and innovation must be adequately supported by requisite infra- structure, Ms Yandisa Lengoasa, Director: Built Environment made a presentation in which she outlined the current infrastructure projects and the impact they are likely to have on the academic project, once completed.
As commonly understood, a critical aspect for the success of any institution relates to the strength of its governance. To this end, the University Registrar, Dr Jeffrey Mabelebele, made a brief presentation focusing on governance, outlining the role of the donors in pursuit of strong governance structure. He further encouraged the delegates to make themselves available to serve on SMU Council.
VCs Desk - Meeting of the minds SMU Management meets with donors
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Created: 21-09-2023
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by Lorato | Sep 14, 2023 | All News, SMU Media, Student Media
At the end of a two-day intensive Council strategic planning workshop that took place from 05 – 06 September 2023, the SMU Council engaged robustly on the proposed strategic priorities of the University. The session was attended by both the Council members and members of the University Management team led by the Vice-Chancellor. The new Strategic Plan for 2024 to 2028 will be grounded on the centrality of the academic project and excellence in its operations and services to staff and students. The University Council reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the University continues to pay sufficient attention to the quality of the graduates it produces, who will be able to serve the greater good of our nation and the world. Therefore, the environment within which these students are molded, including their student experience, should be prioritized in the new strategic plan.
In light of several new developments in the academe, changes in policies at institutional and national level, and the need to align with best practices both nationally and globally, there was a need to review the 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan for relevance and impact, which has led to the development of the new Strategic Plan 2024 – 2028.
It is important to note that health sciences degrees are expensive to offer. The Council has, therefore, resolved to introduce appropriate measures to secure the financial viability of the university in the medium to long term. In his introduction of the 2024 – 2028 strategic plan, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Peter Mbati, presented the following factors which are relevant in the crafting of the strategy:
• Financial sustainability for SMU as a priority in securing the future of the academic project.
• The provision of quality services and products.
• Improved levels of staff efficiency.
• A digitization strategy for the university.
• Professionalization of the workforce.
• Building a strong SMU brand.
• Production of globally competitive graduates.
• Well defined collaboration between SMU, Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital, the SMU Dental Hospital, the National Health Laboratory Services and the Gauteng Department of Health.
Some of the key institutional initiatives discussed during the planning session included the following:
• The establishment of a Centre for Pandemics.
• The proposal for the re-establishment of a School of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Health.
• Report on the commercialization of SMU land, and;
• The New Business Model, aimed at ensuring SMUs sustainability.
In her concluding remarks at the end of the two-day workshop, the Chairperson of Council Ms. Maria Rambauli reflected on the long and sometimes arduous journey in stabilizing leadership and governance at SMU. She reminded delegates that while there were a lot of achievements that the University could be proud of, the journey ahead still required dedication and focus, and that the well-crafted 2024 – 2028 strategic plan would be the road map to guide us. It is anticipated that the Council will approve the strategy at its next sitting. Thereafter, a process to create and deepen awareness around the strategic priorities of the University amongst stakeholders will be prioritized.
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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