The Director of Research and Innovation, Senior Professor GE Ekosse, led a delegation of staff from the Directorate comprising the Grants Administration Officer, Mr SL Lesufi; and the Research Assistant, Mrs WM Nemphagane, to Pretoria from the 27 to 28 June 2018. The offices visited included the National Research Foundation (NRF), Council for Geoscience (CGS), Water Research Commission (WRC) and National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO).The purpose of the visit was to follow up on previous research administration, management and leadership collaborative engagements and solicit more support for our postgraduate students and researchers.
On 27 June 2018, the delegation visited the NRF offices in Pretoria for a follow-up meeting with the Executive Director of NRF Grants Management and Systems Administration (GMSA), Dr B Nthambeleni, on funding support for postgraduate students and researchers. Other side meetings were held with three Directors of GMSA. Outcome of the meetings included possible increase in numbers of grants, and running of tailor made workshops at UNIVEN by NRF staff for winning grants proposals. On 28 June 2018, the delegation visited CGS; and was received by the Laboratory Manager, Mr. S Tlowana, on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer. Other CGS staff present in deliberations included colleagues from stakeholder relations: Ms J Van Wyk and Ms V Mashiloana. The Council is committed to working with UNIVEN in ensuring that the existing memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two institutions is fully operationalised. 2
From Right Ms V Mashiloane, Mrs WM Nemphagane, Senior Professor GE Ekosse, Mr S Tlowana, Ms J Van Wyk, and Mr SL Lesufi
The delegation continued its Pretoria visit to the Water Research Commission (WRC) Office. It was received by its institutional Director of Research and Development, Dr S Liphadzi; Programme Coordinator, Mrs R Ravhudzulo, and the Executive Assistant, Ms S Machelesi. The visit was for strengthening UNIVEN and WRC working relation and collaborations in the areas of research and innovation. It was agreed that both institutions take leadership in organising research and research related ventures such as joint workshops, conferences and congresses; and the funding of research projects. 3
From Right Mr SL Lesufi, Ms S Machelesi, Senior Professor GE Ekosse, Dr S Liphadzi and Mrs WM Nemphagane
The last port of call was the NIMPO offices at the Innovation Hub where the delegation was received by the Head of NIPMO, Dr K Faul. In her team were the Director: Fund and Incentives Management, Ms P Phiri; Deputy Director: Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Skills (IP & TT Skills), Mr T Jase; and IP Specialist, Ms N Ngoasheng. Discussions focussed on the NIPMO Policy review of which UNIVEN Director of Research and Innovation, Senior Professor Ekosse was appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology to serve as panel member. Other areas covered 4 were the relationship of NIPMO to UNIVEN researchers, operational documents such as Cost to Company Certificates, and the organisation of workshops.
From Left Mrs WM Nemphagane, Mr T Jase, Ms N Ngoasheng, Ms P Phiri, Senior Professor GE Ekosse, Dr K Faul, and Mr SL Lesufi
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 04 July 2018
