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Research As the largest producer of research in South Africa, UP is recognised internationally for an intensive focus on quality, relevance and impact.
At the heart of UP’s research strategy is the commitment
much less than the test currently being used, and can
to pursue “research that matters”, that is, research which
identify other respiratory pathogens.
transforms lives and communities, and addresses complex societal challenges, in particular those faced by the world’s
Solving a galactic puzzle
developing regions. In 2020 these challenges included
A team of researchers made up of members from UP,
COVID-19 as well as other, unrelated, health issues, the
the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, the
environment, food security, poverty alleviation and others
US National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Rhodes
related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development
University used the Karoo MeerKAT telescope, an array
Goals (SDGs). This is why we need to build resilient
of 64 dishes, to solve a long-standing puzzle in X-shaped
research capacity in both basic and applied research in
radio galaxies by observing a galaxy 800 million light
critical fields, to continue to contribute to the well-being
years from Earth.
and advancement of South Africa, Africa and the world.
Helping the World Health Organization
INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
UP took part in a World Health Organization (WHO) multi-
About 44% of the research conducted at UP is
centre clinical trial for Africa focusing on various antiviral
pursued
and
compounds. The main objective of this study during
through multifaceted international programmes. Our
COVID-19 was to provide reliable estimates of the effects
researchers are prolific producers of knowledge, as
of antiviral treatments on in-hospital mortality.
with
international
collaborators
shown by this small sample.
Saving the rhino
Detecting tuberculosis
The TuksBaja engineering team placed 13 out of 100 in
Researchers at UP in the Division of Infectious Diseases
an online intercollegiate design competition run by SAE
(Department of Internal Medicine) and Leicester University
International. Teams from around the globe had to design
in the UK designed a 3D-printed polyvinyl alcohol face-
and build a small one-seat, off-road vehicle that would
mask insert that can detect tuberculosis in just an hour,
survive harsh off-road conditions. TuksBaja designed its
with 86% accuracy. As the usual test’s accuracy is about
vehicle with the goal that it could be used to fight rhino
20%, this is a major medical breakthrough and has the
poaching in South Africa. Due to COVID-19, the evaluation
potential to save thousands of lives every year. It will cost
took place online, and competitors were only evaluated
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University of Pretoria
