The RISG Biennial Research and Innovation Dialogue 2023
Research and Innovation for Societal and Economic Impact
It is with great pleasure that the Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG) announce the 2023 USAf Research and Innovation Biennial Dialogue taking place on 21-22 September 2023, in Durban.
The Dialogue is an important event on the RISG calendar for Vice-Chancellors, Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Research, Research Directors, International Offices’ Directors, researchers, academics, and policy makers, to engage in this action-orientated event.
This year, the dialogue will focus on the RISG’s priority thematic areas, namely:
- Research impact
- Innovation and social entrepreneurship
- Student mobility and
- Inclusive internationalisation.
The Dialogue will gather 70 participants from government and the higher education sector to deliberate on these matters, and to find solutions. The RISG has invited representatives of USAf’s Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, the Community of Practice for Postgraduate Education and Scholarship (CoP PGES) and the International Education Association of Southern Africa (IEASA), as well as other key organisations to participate in the programme. This event attendance is by invitation only.
According to Ms Janet van Rhyn, Project Manager for the RISG, “collaboration is key if we are to address these issues holistically. We need to find ways to work together. The members of the RISG will participate actively in the programme, from chairing sessions to presenting position papers. USAf looks forward to a productive and engaging two days.”
The CoP PGES members will also lead a session on student mobility. Professor Jesika Singh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research at the University of Limpopo, and a member of the CoP PGES Steering Committee, has emphasised that South-South relationships, as well as regional collaborations and exchanges for postgraduate students between South African universities are important for our students and should not be overlooked. These exchanges are valuable experiences for young academics, and models of engagement will be one of the topics explored in more detail at the upcoming Dialogue.
View Programme >
Presentations:
Session A:
Session B:
- Towards assessing Research & Innovation Impact at a University Level: the UCT journey – Dr Linda Mtwisha
- Institutionalising Impact: Processes and Practices – Prof Heidi van Rooyen
- Demonstration of Research Impact – Prof Chris Brink
Session C:
- The National Review of Doctoral Programmes: Areas for Action – WJ Green
- Barriers to Collaboration-Incentives at University and Government Levels – Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi
- International Scholarships and Mobility Programmes – Mtheto Moyo
- Academic Mobility: Opportunities and Challenges – Prof Loyiso G. Nongxa
- New Thinking Around Student Mobility in Higher Education in South Africa – Prof Jesika Singh
- RISG Dialogue Presentation – Bheki Hadebe
Session D:
- Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at a Rural Based University – Prof Vhonani Netshandama
- The Role of Universities in Entrepreneurship-led Development: An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Approach – Prof Erik Stam
- The Importance of Leadership in Enabling Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Universities: The Case of the University of Mpumalanga – Prof Thoko Mayekiso
- Systemic Action Learning and Action Research as Enabling Tool – Prof Thea van der Westhuizen
- Enabling Ecosystems of Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Universities – Prof Steven N. Liss
Session E:
- The state of internationalisation in South African universities- Preliminary Findings of the IEASA – British Council Study – Dr Samia Chasi
- From mobility to comprehensive internationalisation (inclusive of COIL) – Mr Varkey George
- African Partnerships – Ms Mandry Ntshani
- Understanding the research and innovation landscape – the case of the SGCI, OR Tambo Chairs and other agreements – Dr Nana Banduo