Presentation: INORMS 12 April 2014 Washington DC

1. Presentation: INORMS 12 April 2014Washington DC Prof Gideon de Wet: Dean of Research

2. Title of Presentation Building Research from Scratch: Managing Risks at the University of Fort Hare

3. Agenda • Historical background and Context • Geographical location • What makes Fort Hare special? • Why “building research from scratch?” • Strategic positioning and restructuring • Policy development: A strategic imperative • Successes and risks • The way forward and Policy Challenges

4. The University of Fort Hare

5. Christian Union Building

6. Geographical Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa

7. History • British missionaries: Founded in 1916 • First African to obtain B degree South Arica • Non racialism and open society • Great African Leaders • 1958 turned into an Apartheid / African ethnic University • 1994: long road towards restructuring • 3 campuses

8. Nelson Mandela

9. Robert Mugabe

10. Desmond Tutu

11. Background and Context: Repositioning • Restructuring, 2008 and Strategic Plan: 2009 -2016 • Strategic research to promote: • Critical engagement and knowledge production • Research that is relevant and responsive and that can provide leadership to society • Research that is innovative and problem solving • Research that is inspiring and role modeling • Research that is formative • Research that is transformative

12. Strategic Objectives and Actions • Curricula Renewal • Internationalization • Stakeholder partnerships • An enabling research environment • Administrative, financial and capacity development • The rewarding of excellence • Critical human capital development • Qualitative and Innovative integrated Teaching, Research and Community Engagement

13. Policy Development: A strategic imperative • Management Info, institutional data • Grant and Seed funding • Conference attendance • Accredited research output • Incentives • Promotions • Integrity • IP and Tech-Transfer • Capacity development and facilitation

14. Student Numbers: 1916 -2013

15. Level of Study and number of Graduates

16. Accredited Publications Per Year and Postgraduates Outputs: Summary

17. Accredited Publication Research Output Per Faculty: 2006 to 2011

18. Master’s Output: 2007 to 2012

19. Doctoral Output: 2007 to 2012

20. Highest Qualifications: Academic Staff Per Faculty 2012 / 13

21. New Initiatives to ensure Sustainability:Research Niche Areas

22. New Initiatives to ensure Sustainability:Research Niche Areas • Law, Science and Justice • Early Childhood Development • Unemployment, Poverty, Social Development and Entrepreneurship Management • Democracy, Heritage and Citizenship

23. Research Professors Seven new positions across all Faculties: • High premium on output targets • Must be catalysts to grow and inspire • Must be seen to be trend setters • Role modelling and mentoring • NRF rating is critical • Impact very crucial: Internally and externally

24. Risks • The research mission, context, connectivity • Research Impact, monitor and evaluate • Policy on the emerging researcher • The appointment of senior researchers • Broaden research output base • Faculty leadership and research targets • Develop mentorship programmes

25. Risks • The re-positioning of research entities • A new approach towards research funding • Employment contracts • The Science System • Internationalisation and connectivity • The School of Postgraduate Studies • Improve on the quality of supervision

26. Risks • The “harvesting of papers” • Staff accommodation • Appointment of research fellows • The need for statistical support services • The institutional research policy environment • Research infrastructure • Management Communication

27. The Way Forward and Strategic Policy Challenges • Prioritising and leadership, but it is a process • Funding and sustainability • Resources: Human, infrastructure • Setting targets: playing hard ball • Quality • Societal Impact and relevancy • Connectivity and internationalisation

28. Thank you!