In a nod to the North-West University’s (NWU’s) outstanding research abilities, the Albertina Sisulu Research Chair in Nursing Science has been upgraded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and will continue for another five years under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI).

The SARChI extension followed a successful evaluation process in which the chair, led by Prof Siedine Knobloch Coetzee, underwent a two-phase peer review. Independent experts assessed the chairholder’s report and supporting documents, after which an evaluation panel, composed of researchers from multiple disciplines, deliberated on the findings. The panel recommended continued funding.

The NRF also upgraded the chair’s status to Tier 1, a designation for researchers with international recognition in their field.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, the NWU’s deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation, says the chair’s upgrade underscores its contributions to the university’s research output.

“This achievement strengthens the NWU’s standing in health sciences research. It is a testament to the work being done to advance nursing science and train researchers who will shape the future of the field.”

The NRF has emphasised the importance of institutional support in ensuring the chair’s long-term sustainability and the NWU is expected to provide resources to sustain the chair’s impact beyond the current funding cycle.

The SARChI programme, launched in 2006 by the Department of Science and Technology and managed by the NRF, aims to grow South Africa’s research capacity by retaining top scholars and generating new knowledge. The initiative supports public universities, research councils and national research facilities with a focus on scientific advancement and transformation in the knowledge economy.

Prof Siedine Knobloch Coetzee