New initiative on critical thought at University of the Western Cape
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) produces the largest number of black and female postgraduate science students in the country, said Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor on Tuesday evening. She was speaking at the launch of the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities at UWC on Tuesday, 2 September.
"UWC has confidently evolved from a teaching institution into an institution with sophisticated research activities. The types of research performed at UWC have vastly expanded and improved over the past 10 years," the Minister added.
The UWC is one of only three places in Africa undertaking comprehensive research in hydrogen and fuel cell development. The institution is also a leader in biotechnology, especially the genetics of life forms that strive in extreme conditions, and their implications for our understanding of microbial molecular ecology.
UWC has become the first institution to host the first flagship launched under a Department of Science and Technology (DST) and National Research Foundation (NRF) programme responding to gaps in the current framework of higher education in South Africa.
"We have established universities with a strong institutional research base and they receive support from existing research support mechanisms. Universities that are developing their research capabilities have only begun to receive attention from funders. The Flagship Programme aims to provide customised, innovative solutions and institutional support in a way that recognises the unique strengths and niche research areas of public universities," said the Minister.
The Minister added that, if the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities lived up to expectations, it would radically alter the focus and thrust of the humanities in South Africa and Africa, as well as providing an opportunity to reaffirm the humanities.
"Our country, and many countries on the African continent ‑ and I dare say the entire world ‑ are grappling with the difficult challenges of transformation, of promoting equality and developing laws suited to a global community. Governments and communities find themselves faced by new socio-political demands and concerns. It is the humanities that can and should provide the interdisciplinary focus that will support the search for new approaches and unique responsive policy frameworks," explained the Minister.
The Flagship Programme seeks to recognise potential for growth into centres of excellence in selected strategic areas of research and teaching. The UWC Head of the Flagship on Critical Thought in African Humanities, Prof. Premesh Lalu, said that the flagship was a platform for scholarly exchange, artistic creation and public inquiry into African political subjectivity, art, society, and technology. It is designed to host scholars and students from South African universities, public institutions and national and international research bodies.
He added that the new initiative was a collaborative initiative which would develop the next generation of humanities scholars, committed to the demands of building a post-apartheid South Africa.
"South Africa has a diverse higher education landscape, with a few universities that are highly productive. The DST-NRF Flagship Initiative is a customised intervention aimed at recognising, nurturing and advancing the research strengths of all universities towards being highly productive," said Dr Linda Mtwisha, Acting Executive Director: Institutional Engagement and Partnership Development at the NRF.
For information about the programme please visit https://www.chrflagship.uwc.ac.za/.
Enquiries:
Tashne Singh
079 090 2786
E-mail: tsingh@uwc.ac.za
Luthando Tyhalibongo
079 880 4655
E-mail: xtyhalibongo@uwc.ac.za
