PROVIDING AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT ARE NOT JUST MERE WORDS BUT NEEDS ACTION AND RESOURCES

PROF JM FRANTZ

The University of the Western Cape has proven its resilience in a higher education environment that demands commitment and hard work from its staff. The contribution to the success of the university comes from emerging and established researchers. In the 2016-2020 research strategy of the university, providing an enabling environment for researchers was a key objective. Providing an enabling environment are not just mere words but needs action and resources.

Through the University Capacity Development Grant we have been able to help create an enabling environment for researchers across the spectrum including emerging researchers. Capacity development initiatives that allow staff to move their career forward are important. When we implement capacity development programs, we tend to focus on impacting the life of the individual, the institution and ultimately the sector. In the academic sector, early career academics are expected to take on many roles and go through many transitions in the early stages of their career. One of the many roles is being an active researcher which includes being able to conduct research, engage in scientific communication such as publications and source funding to support their research.

For the period 2018-2020, we implemented the Developing the Research Scholar Program which aimed at developing early career researchers as holistic academics. We provided a structured, consistent development programme to support early-career researchers. It is the intention that these capacity development programs will capacitate the participants which ultimately will lead to developing better teachers and researchers and thus improving the profile of the University. The program took the form of modules/ workshops which included developing a research profile, writing for publication, proposal writing and grant writing. In addition, participants were included in coaching circles that allowed for peer coaching and mentoring sessions. Through this program, participants were able to network across faculties, across institutions and internationally.

This edition of the e-magazine is not focused on mere numbers but on the impact, these capacity development initiatives have on the academic lives of early career researchers. Understanding the impact of these initiatives is key as we continue to strive to improve the environment in which academics need to operate in order to make a valuable contribution. I trust that you will enjoy reading the stories of our academics and we look forward to hearing from you as you share and encourage through your story.