The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' (FMHS) 60th Annual Academic Day (AAD) showcased the faculty's latest research and also celebrated some of the ground-breaking research to come from this institution over the last 60 years.
"This year's Annual Academic Day is a very special event for us, being our 60th AAD and coinciding with the 60th birthday celebrations of the Faculty," said Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research at the FMHS.
"The 60th AAD is a time for reflection on what we have achieved: our tremendous growth and output; the major contributions that our research has made over many years to science and society; and the impact that it has on governmental, societal, economic and environmental issues."
An assortment of research was presented in 106 oral presentations, and 129 poster presentations throughout the day.
In the Dean's Address, Prof Jimmy Volmink paid tribute to the FMHS' stalwart researchers that have laid the strong academic foundation on which the faculty is still building its successes today. Among those he singled out was Prof Andries Brink, a former dean of the faculty, who "held up the flag for research" during the pre-democracy era, and Prof Amanda Lochner, for being a strong female scientist role model in time when the field was male dominated. He also praised two former deans, Profs Jan Lochner and Wynand van der Merwe, for their visionary leadership.
Volmink highlighted some of the important research that has emanated from faculty over the past 60 years that have impacted on medical practice and policy around the world. In particular he emphasised the work by the team of pioneering TB researchers: Profs Paul van Helden, Nulda Beyers, Peter Donald, Robert Gie and Simon Schaaf. "They are among the top TB researchers in the world, and they laid the foundation for what has expanded to the strongest TB research outfit in Africa," said Volmink.
He ascribed their success to "having a big vision and being prepared to work across disciplines" as their work often entailed collaborative efforts by researchers, clinicians, and even communities.
The guest speaker, Prof Bongani Mayosi, Dean Elect of the Faulty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town, reiterated the importance of research collaboration between scientific disciplines, as well as institutions.
He illustrated the increase in research outputs on the African continent over the past two decades and encouraged the audience to look for opportunities for research collaboration on the African continent.
