To all SU researchers, including Postdocs
The Division for Research Development (DRD) has been running a mentorship programme for early career academics (the well-known ECAD programme) for a number of years, and from the feedback received from our early career academic staff on the programme we realise how valuable mentorship can be for the development of a successful research career. The ECAD programme has particular eligibility criteria as determined by the funder, and we will continue to run this programme as before.
However, we often receive requests for mentorship from early career researchers nót currently eligible to participate in the ECAD programme e.g., early career researchers not appointed in academic posts, and Postdoctoral fellows.
We are therefore very excited to announce the launch on this lovely Spring Day of the SUNmentor platform!
Open to all staff and Postdocs affiliated with SU, you can now register as a MENTEE (i.e., someone in need of mentorship) or as a MENTOR (i.e. someone with experience to share, who will be willing to mentor others) on the platform. During the registration process, you will be able to state your specific needs (as mentee) or your specific expertise (as mentor). This information will be used to facilitate an appropriate research mentor-mentee match, which can then be tested by further interaction between mentor and mentee.
What is in it for potential mentees? A chance to have some conversations with an experienced and trusted advisor. Someone who has walked or is walking this journey themselves. Someone who, as Oprah Winfrey once said, “can help you to see the hope inside yourself".
What is in it for potential mentors? It's been said that “when one person mentors, two lives are changed" (Kevin Sessums). As mentor you will be in a position to inspire the next generation of researchers. Through providing mentorship you yourself can reach new levels of inspiration, wisdom, and direction, and build new networks. Perhaps you have benefited from a research mentor yourself and now you can “pay it forward"!
We look forward to your registrations on the website https://www.sunmentor.sun.ac.za/ (set up your account first (Postdocs, please add your Postdoc number as per your SU access card where it asks for staff number), then click on “Mentoring" at the top, then on “Mentoring Programmes", and then on “Research mentoring", where you can register as mentee or mentor). Full details and screen shots are attached to this mail.
Through the platform we will support and facilitate the formation of mutually beneficial mentorship relationships as best we can, hereby further promoting a culture of mentorship and support at SU.
Please go for it and register today!
For further information and assistance, you can email Fadwha@sun.ac.za
