The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, led by Prof Taryn Young, implements dedicated initiatives to increase knowledge and application of modern epidemiological and biostatistical techniques among undergraduate and postgraduate students, healthcare professionals and researchers to increase the quality and output of research in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. We conduct and support relevant systematic reviews and primary research related to evidence-informed health care, conduct methodological research in epidemiology, biostatistics, evidence-based health care and knowledge translation to address unique challenges that may arise, and provide biostatistical collaboration.
The Division of Health Systems and Public Health, led by Prof Rene English, the Division of Health Systems and Public Health is a multidisciplinary entity that aims to provide a shared academic and service platform for public health and occupational medicine, as well as health systems and services research and development. The core activities of the Division are teaching, research and community engagement. It aims to produce skilled teachers, researchers, practitioners, health care professionals and decision-makers who are able to apply their acquired knowledge and skills in their daily practice. The Division delivers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes on a full- and part-time basis.
The Division of Human Nutrition, led by Prof Xikombiso Mbhenyane, was established in 1991 as a department is now part of the Department of Global health. We offer a 4-year BSc Dietetics programme at undergraduate level and provide postgraduate education, which is renowned nationally and internationally. Our Postgraduate offering include three master’s degrees (Masters in Therapeutic Nutrition, Masters in Public Health Nutrition and a MSc in Food and Nutrition Security). We also offer a PhD (Nutritional Sciences) degree. The main research focus areas of the Division include Food and Nutrition Security, including right to food and governance and indigenous knowledge systems; Maternal and Child nutrition and wellbeing; Specialised Nutritional Support and Food Safety and Legislation. The Division, through its head, Prof Xikombiso Mbhenyane, also holds a Research Chair in Food Environments, Nutrition and Health.
The Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Studies offers unique postgraduate programmes to health, disability and rehabilitation professionals. Applicants are (but not limited to) persons who are doctors, nurses, speech and occupational therapists, physiotherapists, social workers, etc. The approach is interdisciplinary, with emphasis on development of leadership skills to facilitate development, management and evaluation and research into appropriate and cost effective rehabilitation and disability programmes. The Division of Disability and Rehabilitation Studies also plays a supportive role in curricular development within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in respect of disability and rehabilitation-related aspects.
Ukwanda is a Nguni word meaning “to grow"; in accordance with this, growth, development and progress are core pillars utilised by the centre to promote health care in rural communities through intentional and relevant student, staff, and community collaborations. Based on international models, the Ukwanda Centre for Rural health (CRH) was launched in 2002 and later opened a rural clinical school based in Worcester in 2011, another first in South Africa. The rural clinical school initially focused on medical students, but other programmes soon followed suite, with Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, and Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy joining in 2013. The placement of students in distributed rural locations was intended both to provide students with the skills for rural health care and to acclimatise students to rural communities and lifestyles. The exposure would in turn encourage the option of practising in rural and underserved communities after graduation.
The CEBHC, housed within the Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics is a beacon on the African continent in advancing evidence-based health care at a local and increasingly through its collaborations on a more global scale. In a world where the lines between fact, fiction, myth and fake news are blurred, driven largely by internet fabrications, the raison d’etre for the endeavours of the Centre of Evidenced-based Health Care has become a compelling necessity.
The Institute for Life Course Health Research (ILCHR), led by Prof Mark Tomlinson and Dr Sarah Skeen, is a transdisciplinary entity that conducts research into infant, child, adolescent, maternal and family well-being, health and development in low resource communities. ILCHR works throughout South Africa, and implements, manages and evaluates projects across Africa and South Asia. The Institute works extensively with international agencies such as the World Health Organisation and UNICEF in order to foster health across the life course globally. As such, ILCHR aims to be a centre of excellence in child and adolescent health research, and provide a platform that links Stellenbosch University and the FMHS to the broader health promotion research community in South Africa and globally.
