Unisa online - Research and Innovation Week kicks off

Prof Setati welcomes the numerous international and local research and innovation experts at the launch of Unisa's Research and Innovation Week

Unisa’s much-anticipated Research & Innovation Week got under way in the Senate Hall on Monday 12 March 2012.

Prof Mamokgethi Setati (Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation) thanked the numerous international and local research and innovation fundis who will be sharing their expertise at the event for their attendance. She briefly discussed some of the highlights in the week’s programme, including discussions on the exact nature of innovation, research integrity and ethics, the role of the humanities and social sciences in a developmental context and the commercialisation of innovation, to mention but a few. Also prominent during the week will be the first Indo-South African symposium on nanotechnology and innovation.

In his welcome address Prof Narend Baijnath, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, said that the week will be a celebration of a community of researchers who are at the cutting edge of knowledge production. He said that the Research and Innovation Week is an event of major importance since it is increasingly evident that research and innovation are fundamental to the sustainable development of our country and our continent. He concluded by saying that he believes that this event will propel Unisa further along the road to becoming a top producer of high-quality, purposeful and socially relevant research and innovation.

The Research and Innovation Week, which runs until Thursday 15 March 2012, also features exhibitions by colleges and external institutions showing innovative research in action. These can be viewed at both the Pretoria and Florida Campuses.