Research flourishes in an environment that is conducive for research.
Inspirational visions and missions aid in fostering a culture among students that reflects the ethos identified in the visions and missions. Research management at institutions of higher learning has an impact on the volume and quality of research output. Early-career researchers (young researchers) need a nurturing environment and a system of support in the early stages of their career.
A web-based survey of South african universities with medical schools was conducted to identify components that foster a rich research environment, and structures that promote and support research at these institutions.
Special attention was given to (i) whether research was mentioned in their mission and vision statements, (ii) the existence of a research strategic plan, (ii) existence of a research office that offers various services such as research grants facilitation, monitoring and assisting young researchers, and (iv) the existence of information on research that is easily accessible to researchers, e.g. research links on the websites.
E D U C AT I O N A N D S k I L L S D E V E L O P M E N T – E Q U I P P I N G C L I N I C I A N S - I N - T R A I N I N G T O E M B R A C E C L I N I C A L R E S E A R C H
Research mentioned in the
vision statement
Research mentioned in the mission
statement
Existence of a research
strategic plan
Existence of a research
office
Research website
link Free State
university Research not mentioned in the vision statement
“The pursuit of scholarship as embodied in the creation, integration, application and transmission of knowledge by promoting the following within the ambit of financial sustainability:
Pure and applied research”
A Strategic Framework for the Develop- ment of Research at the University of the Free State (2003)
Exists as:
Research Develop- ment Directorate
Available at: http://
www uovs.
ac.za
Medunsa
university Not available on
the website “A world-class African university which responds to education, research and community development needs through partnerships and knowledge generation – continuing the long tradition
of empowerment”
Not available on the website
Exists:
Research Admin- istration Office
Available at: http://
www.medunsa.
ac.za/
research/
welcome.
htm
Stellenbosch
university “In a spirit of academic freedom and of the universal quest for truth and knowledge, the University as an academic institution sets itself the aim, through critical and rational thought, of gaining national and international standing by means of its research outputs”
Research not mentioned in the mission statement
Research strategy contained in the university’s Strategic Framework for the Turn of the Century and Beyond (2000)
Research Develop- ment and Support Division
Available at: http://
www.sun.
ac.za
table 7.1: website survey of research support structures in South african universities with medical schools
REVITALISING CLINICAL RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA 155
A STUDY ON CLINICAL RESEARCH AND RELATED TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Research mentioned in the
vision statement
Research mentioned in the mission
statement
Existence of a research
strategic plan
Existence of a research
office
Research website
link university of
cape town Research not mentioned in the vision statement
“Our mission is to be an outstanding teaching and research university, educating for life and addressing the challenges facing our society.
Educating for life means that our educational process must provide: research- based teaching and learning”
University of Cape Town Research Strategy
Research office exists under The Department of Research and Innovation
Available at: http://
www.uct.ac.za/
research/
libraries
university of KwaZulu- Natal
Research not mentioned in the university’s vision statement but mentioned in the faculty of health sciences vision statement (Strategic Plan 2008)
“A truly South African university that is academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society and demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages, inequities and imbalances of the past”
Research Policy II:
Developing, Retaining and Rewarding Researchers (2008) and Strategic Plan - Faculty of Health Sciences (2008)
Exists:
Research Office
Available at: http://
www.research.
ukzn.ac.za
university of
pretoria Research not mentioned in the vision statement
“The mission of the University of Pretoria is to be an internationally recognised South African teaching and research university and a member of the international community of scholarly institutions that: encourages academically rigorous and socially meaningful research, particularly in fields relevant to emerging economies”
Exists as one of the thrust areas in the Innovation Generation:
Creating the Future, 2007- 2011 Strategic Plan
Research Office in the Department of Research Support
Available at: http://
www.web.
up.ac.za
E D U C AT I O N A N D S k I L L S D E V E L O P M E N T – E Q U I P P I N G C L I N I C I A N S - I N - T R A I N I N G T O E M B R A C E C L I N I C A L R E S E A R C H
Research mentioned in the
vision statement
Research mentioned in the mission
statement
Existence of a research
strategic plan
Existence of a research
office
Research website
link university
of the wit- watersrand
“Universities have the immense responsibility of producing cutting edge research…”
“We will build increasingly close relationships with the private sector, and the public sector professions in seeking sponsorship of research projects, research students, joint appointments of staff, and joint programmes of research that contribute to economic and academic development.”
“Wits’ mission is to build on this foundation in a way that takes account of its responsibilities within South Africa today;
and to maintain and enhance its position as a leading university in the Republic, in Africa, and in the world by sustaining globally competitive standards of excellence in learning, teaching and research.”
University of the Witwaters- rand Strategic Research Plan 2007 to 2011
Exists:
Research
Office Available at: http://
www.web.
wits.ac.
za/Academic /Research
walter Sisulu
university “Walter Sisulu University (WSU) will be a leading African comprehensive university focusing on innovative educational, research and community partnership programmes that are responsive to local, regional, national development priorities, and cognisant of continental and international imperatives.”
“In pursuit of its vision as a developmental university, WSU will: maintain the highest possible standards in innovative teaching and learnerships, basic and applied research, community development partnerships in cooperation with development agencies, the public and private sectors …”
Not available on the website
Not mentioned on the website
Not available on the website
REVITALISING CLINICAL RESEARCH IN SOUTH AFRICA 157
A STUDY ON CLINICAL RESEARCH AND RELATED TRAINING IN SOUTH AFRICA
While research is mentioned in only three of the vision statements of eight universities, it has been identified as an important mission in all but one of the universities. Six of the eight universities either had a strategic plan specifically for research, or research was enshrined in the strategic plan available on their respective websites.