SDG’s for Higher Education Institutions Spotlighted at the Annual Research Day

SDG’s for Higher Education Institutions Spotlighted at the Annual Research Day

UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies recently hosted an all-day hybrid Research Day centered around the theme: ‘Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 for Higher Education Institutions Post-COVID-19 Pandemic.’

This event served as a platform for fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration among academics, researchers, and students from diverse backgrounds and to explore the wide spectrum of research carried out within the College and broader academic community.

Facilitated by Acting Dean of Research, Professor Sybert Mutereko, the programme kicked-off with a welcome address from the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College, Professor Managay Reddi.

Reddi said such events play a pivotal role in fostering a better understanding of research conducted within Higher Education Institutions, and promoting public engagement with academic advancements.

‘We seldom get the chance for engagements that encourage us to look for ideas for inter-disciplinary collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines. Events like these are ideal platforms for these types of engagements. Therefore, my hope is that one of the outcomes of this research day will be a surge in interdisciplinary research projects across the College,’ she said.

The keynote address was delivered by Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Honourable Mr Sihle Zikalala, which offered valuable perspectives on the hurdles and possibilities that Higher Education Institutions could encounter as they strive to make a meaningful contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

‘Successful nations invest in research and development,’ he said. ‘South African research universities should be central to the country’s drive to become a competitive and collaborative member of a global community. If research is directed at providing scientific support to the country, we can achieve faster objective of a responsive and developmental state,’ he said.

The event had plenary sessions with more than 60 in-person and virtual presentations from diverse members of academia hailing from various Schools in the College. These presentations showcased their latest research outcomes and advancements in pertinent fields.

The Research Day also included the 3 Minute Thesis Competition for Doctoral Students across different Schools within UKZN which challenged these students to communicate the significance of their research in just three minutes.

The 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) encouraged students to refine their communication skills and present their research accessibly and concisely.

Winners for Best Research Papers were: Ms Emma Lansdell from the School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF), Saroja Maharaj from the Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSBL), Ms Shienell Naidoo from the School of Law and Mr Adrian Chikowore from the School of Management, IT and Governance (SMIG).

The winner of the Overall Best Paper was Mr Tshepo Maota from SMIG while the winners for the 3MT competition were Ms Prashanti Maharaj from SMIG, Mr Preston Naidoo from GSBL (first runner-up) and Mr Mohammed Rudwan (second runner-up) from the School of Maths, Statistics and Computer Science.

Words: Samukelisiwe Cele

Photograph: Albert Hirasen