Prof Karl Peltzer and Prof Supa Pengpid from Mahidol University in Thailand recently visited the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng to provide academic and research mentorship to emerging researchers as part of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) grant.

More than 20 participants from the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre, the Lifestyle Diseases research niche area, and the research focus areas Community Psychological Research and Quality in Nursing and Midwifery attended the mentoring sessions.

According to Prof Ushotanefeh Useh from the Lifestyle Diseases research niche area, the workshop covered various topics. These included how to write academic papers for international publications, selecting the correct journals for publication, author and reporting guidelines, structuring research papers, and citations.

“The mentorship sessions included detailed and comprehensive workshops on research proposal and manuscript writing for staff. There was also time allocated for individual consultation regarding research-related support,” said Prof Useh.

Prof Peltzer and Prof Pengpid also met with Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations, Prof Awie van Wyk, the executive dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and Prof Jeanetta du Plessis, deputy dean for research and innovation in the Faculty of Health Sciences to discuss collaboration possibilities and support for research and academic exchange.

“A committee was established to continue with this partnership opportunity and to develop a shared university project on promoting health,” says Prof Useh.

 Here is Prof Ushotanefe Useh with Prof Karl Peltzer, Prof Supa Pengpid and Prof Salaminah Moloko Phiri.