College of Economic & Management Sciences

CEMS hosts the Africa Faculty Development Workshops

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The Unisa College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), in collaboration with the Africa Academy of Management (AFAM), hosted the 8th Africa Faculty Development Workshops (AFDW) at the university’s Muckleneuk Campus from 5 to 9 June 2023. Aimed at building research capacity across the African continent, scholars from across the continent attended the intensive weeklong workshops, with a goal to assist early career researchers improve theoretical and methodological aspects of their research papers and doctoral research projects. 

AFDW delegates and presenters visiting the Apartheid Museum

The prestigious workshops aimed to advance the institution’s research scholarship at national and continental levels, and to develop the next generation of Africa’s academic leaders.

The workshop sessions were led by experts from various fields. During the interactive paper development sessions, participants received extensive feedback on their research presentations. Paramount to this workshop was the potential for network opportunities, collaboration, joint research projects and capacity building, especially for early career scholars and postgraduate students. Therefore, the workshops provided a platform for these participants to interact with seasoned scholars and mentors from diverse backgrounds and experiences across the African continent and beyond.

Critical questions asked were around developing research questions, requirements for an academic paper, academic ethics, publishing in top-tier journals and reviewing journal articles, among others.

While most student attendees were from Unisa, there were also students from Zimbabwe, Kenya and the United States of America. CEMS academics also participated in the workshops. The college’s research portfolio supports the development and enhancement of research theory and practice, accelerate and augment the quality and impact of research amongst early academics within the college.

AFDW delegates and presenters visiting the Lesedi Cultural Village

Acting CEMS Coordinator: Postgraduate Studies, Dr Kafayat Amusa, remarked: "Unisa aims to pursue inclusive growth and sustainable development within an integrated African continent in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Therefore, the workshops were an integral part of the university’s vision, which is anchored, among others, on the need to enhance internationalisation and strategic partnerships, especially in research, innovation, engaged scholarship, as well as science diplomacy, based on high impact research and excellence."

Amusa asserted that the college embraces opportunities to develop key partnerships that bring the world to South Africa. "Supported by the City of Johannesburg and the South African Tourism," she continued, "together we ensured that our esteemed guests were treated to the South African experience as delegates visited some cultural and historical sites such the Apartheid Museum, Lesedi Cultural Village, and former President Dr Nelson Mandela’s house in Vilakazi Street, Soweto."

Previous workshops were held in Ghana (Accra and Kumasi), Rwanda (Kigali) and Egypt (Cairo).

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* By Ilze Crous, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences, repackaged by Nancy Legodi, Acting Senior Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

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Publish date: 2023-06-12 00:00:00.0

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