Mangosuthu University of Technology’s efforts at creating new international collaborations, and strengthening existing ones, have received yet another boost in the form of funding for a collaborative study. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagements, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, has secured funding for a collaborative project between South Africa and Sweden, which is part of the South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF).
Professor Sibiya said the study was part of the SASUF Project, which is a collaborative project between MUT, DUT and Swedish universities. The project aims to make an invaluable contribution towards improving the health of the nation by strengthening maternal and child mortality surveillance, unpacking the trends in mortality, and making relevant information available for action.
Giving more details about the funded study, Professor Sibiya said the approach adopted during this exploratory project was to involve senior researchers from the two participating Swedish universities, to undertake the objectives of the project, through workshops or seminars, postgraduate research training and/or supervision and public lectures.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor said the Swedish collaborators were involved in a broad level of research and teaching activities in their institutions, “which are very relevant in the perspective of further possible collaboration in the proposed areas and regarding the listed activities”.
Explaining how the funding fits into the general research and engagement goals, Professor Sibiya said the aim of the project was to develop a strategic approach to promoting universal health coverage and Sustainable Development Goal 3.
“This project will not only improve excellence in research and engagement, as outlined in the strategic objectives of the University; but will also address the major challenge of high maternal and child mortality rates in both countries,” said Professor Sibiya.
Professor Sibiya has expressed her appreciation to Mbali Mkhize, who is the MUT coordinator for SASUF. Professor Sibiya said Mkhize has been instrumental in supporting staff who expressed their interest in submitting their application for funding.
“As part of the planned capacity initiatives, a workshop for grant writing will be offered to MUT staff so that during the next round of the call, more staff could be awarded the SASUF grant,” Professor Sibiya concluded.