Countries that were represented at the conference included, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Ghana, Kenya, USA, UK, China, Egypt, Mauritius, Switzerland, Ireland, France. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges in many circumstances, it gave the organisers a unique opportunity to test the waters and go virtual.
The Conference is a yearly opportunity for Research Management and Innovation professionals to network share their experiences and keep abreast with the latest developments in the field.
This year’s theme was ‘From Support to Strategy to Impact – Broadening the Scope of Research and Innovation Management’. Dr Anna Matros-Goreses, the Director of Project Services at NUST, was the Chair for the conference organisation.
“The conference provided interesting and exciting insights and lessons that could be used in the further development of the field. In contrast to other years, this time, the conference had one integrated track covering a range of topics , which allowed for insightful and diverse knowledge sharing throughout
the entire continuum of research through to innovation and technology transfer,” said Dr Matros-Goreses.
NUST staff members from the Projects Services Unit and the Library Services hosted a number of sessions.
The topics included: Research Capacity Architecture Development through Strategic Internships based on the EU funded Strengthening of Collaboration, Leadership and Professionalisation in Research Management in SADC and EU Higher Education Institutions project; Research Data Management Systems; Core Skills needed in an Office of Research Support; Research Grant Administration; Community Impact of Research; and Open Access Publishing – Opportunities and Challenges.
The conference achieved its purpose of networking and sharing of cutting-edge information.
It was made possible by an innovative organising committee and the SARIMA management team, under the guidance of a renowned South African conferencing company known as Conference Partner.