Dr Therina Theron, Senior Director: Research and Innovation at the Division for Research Development (DRD), has taken up yet another challenge as part of her endeavours to enhance capacity within the higher education research management sector. In September 2019, she started a two year term as the President of SARIMA, a membership association for research and innovation managers in the Southern African region. Dr Theron previously served three terms on the SARIMA executive committee, including one term as vice-president for capacity development. She was formally welcomed as President at the SARIMA annual conference, held at the beginning of September near Cape Town, South Africa.
“I feel honoured and humbled to serve the Southern African research and innovation management community in this capacity, and am excited about the many opportunities to strengthen research and innovation management capacity and outputs in the region. Through this position I will also strive to promote and strengthen SU's research and innovation networks with African partners," says Dr Theron.
Dr Theron's career in research management started in 2004 at the University of Cape Town. Since 2008, she has been Senior Director: Research & Innovation at Stellenbosch University. She has experience in research-related strategic planning, policy formulation and implementation, as well as the establishment and development of effective research and innovation support systems. Under Therina`s leadership, Stellenbosch University is also the lead partner in the StoRM project (Strengthening of Collaboration, Leadership and Professionalisation in Research Management in SADC and EU) of the Erasmus + Programme of the European Union. The project consists of an international consortium of eleven partner institutions, and was one of the first Erasmus+ projects to be led by a South African coordinator. One of the StoRM project deliverables is the development of a new postgraduate diploma programme for research managers and administrators, which will see its first intake of students at CREST in 2020.
The DRD will also provide further leadership support to SARIMA with the election of Dr Natasha Mothapo as a member of the SARIMA Executive Committee for the next two years. Dr Mothapo is passionate about capacity development in academia to improve not only African Research and researcher capabilities, but to see research transition from academia to industry. She is currently the Head: Postdoctoral Research Support at the Division for Research Development. “I am overwhelmed with the level of support to be elected onto the committee, especially as a first timer in research management. Although I have been very involved with university processes around postdocs, and postgraduate students, having held several leadership positions in these capacities, I did not consider a future in research management. I am thankful for the SARIMA community who showed belief in me to serve them in this capacity. My passion is Africa, Africa development in research, researcher capacity and shaping of an innovative research culture in the African University. I would like to focus on research development, capacity development and innovation. I believe that the continent has a wealth of opportunity. I am excited to learn and to grow".
For more information about SARIMA, visit www.sarima.co.za
