Unisa online - Unisa acknowledges its women researchers

Dr Rita Maré with Prof Sophie Mogotlane, recipient of the Research Leadership award

"Have passion for what you do. Know what makes you laugh. Know what makes you cry." Prof Rosalie Finlayson Women researchers (and a few token males) were regaled by the epic research journey of Prof Rosalie Finlayson, Academic Advisor: Human Resources Development, at the annual Unisa Women in Research Initiative (UwiRI) awards event. The title of her paper "Have passion, will travel" already gave an indication of this feisty woman researcher’s attitude to her work and life. Starting at Unisa as the only woman in her department with a PhD, she was not prepared to contend with the fact that she was told that she didn’t need promotion, as she had a husband to look after her! She tackled these academic promotion challenges with gusto and achieved what she set her mind on. Prof Finlayson stressed the importance of mentoring in the life of the researcher and paid tribute to her mentors, without whom she might not have survived her research journey. A supportive institutional environment is equally important and she thanked Unisa for the endless opportunities afforded her and for the policy of developing and nurturing the talent of women within the Institution.

She highlighted some of her worldwide travels and experiences in her pursuit of her research goals, probably inspiring everyone present with her presentation of the exciting world of research.

UWiRI is a programme designed to enhance and elevate the levels of women’s participation in research at Unisa. The programme entails the provision of financial support for women doing doctoral research, the conducting of an annual audit of the profiles of Unisa women in research, the showcasing of research conducted by women at Unisa, as well as the advocacy initiatives for women in research at Unisa.

Prof Rita Maré, Vice-Principal: Academic and Research, said that the UWiRI awards form an integral part of the initiative, and that the awards are based on work done by women researchers over the past two to three years. Each award is worth R50 000,00.

Recipients of the Unisa Women in Research Initiative awards: Dr Marie Jorritsma, Dr Prudence Kayoka, Prof Sophie Mogotlane, Dr Simiso Dube, Ms Marlene Wethmar-Lemmer, Dr Mpfariseni Budeli, Dr Emily Mojapelo-Bakta, Ms Mitzi Wiese, Dr Elmarie Kritzinger. Absent: Ms Polina Dlangekova

The recipients of the 2008 Unisa Women in Research Initiative awards are as follows:

Research leadership
Prof Sophie Mogotlane (College of Human Sciences)

Resilience in research
Dr Emily Mojapelo-Bakta (College of Human Sciences)
Dr Simiso Dube (College of Science, Engineering and Technology)
Dr Prudence Kayoka (College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences)

First publication
Ms Marlene Wethmar-Lemmer (College of Law)
Ms Mitzi Wiese (College of Law)
Ms Polina Dlangekova (College of Law)

Youngest PhD staff member
Dr Marie Jorritsma (College of Human Sciences)
Dr Elmarie Kritzinger (College of Science, Engineering and Technology)
Dr Mpfariseni Budeli (College of Law)