Page 5 - University of Pretoria RESEARCH REVIEW 2016

rights amply illustrates in several texts the interaction between research, publishing and advocacy, and the wide collaboration with strategic partners, in order to affect the change envisaged; the theme also demonstrates the recognition UP researchers have received internationally. Theme 3—Heritage and society takes as a point of departure ancient texts and a rich cultural heritage, given the antiquity of human occupation in southern Africa; and as another, the contemporary risks, inequalities and ‘forgotten people’ that provide insight into the role of science and research, and what still remains to be challenged and addressed. Theme 4—Health covers both human and animal health with a cross-cutting focus on issues central to wellbeing, most often addressed in collaboration with local, regional and/or international partners; from malaria control and eradication, to re-engineering primary health care, to wildlife reproduction. Theme 5—Natural environments underscores the centrality of science in informing our understanding of critical environmental issues, with texts demonstrating contemporary approaches and research tools, from microbial studies to mathematical modelling. Theme 6—Plant production and food security concludes the thematic focus on research relevance at UP, and is framed by ecological transformations brought about by climate change, sustaining woody ecosystems and planted forests, and the critical importance of global strategies to monitor pest and pathogen movement and to mount appropriate outbreak responses. Again, wide-ranging partnerships underscore the importance of team (and theme) science in sustaining excellence in research.
A key strategy in 2016 was for the University to increase its high impact research in knowledge fields of relevance to developing regions and Africa, in particular. The examples covered in this review provide ample evidence that this strategic focus was successfully accomplished.
On behalf of the University, I wish to express our gratitude to all our research partners, collaborators and funders. Your generosity has enabled the research that matters locally and globally.
Professor Cheryl de la Rey
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Pretoria
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