Research income up

UCT's newly released Research Report for 2005 reflects an important turnaround in publication outputs. After several years of decline and stagnation, the publication showed a 34% increase in accredited research publications.

The report, compiled by Christina Pather of the Research Office, reflects the full gamut of research conducted by the university's staff and students.

Speaking at the launch, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Njabulo S Ndebele said UCT's annual research income for 2005 had exceeded R400-million.

"We see the growth in external research income and the increasing number of partnerships with international collaborators as an indication that there is wide confidence in our research expertise and that our researchers are making important contributions to the knowledge economy, both locally and internationally."

Prof Ndebele said the university was proud of its growing postgraduate cohort.

"Although UCT has a growing number of fellowships that offer good financial support, raising funds to support our postgraduate students and postgraduate researchers is an ongoing challenge."

In her introduction, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Cheryl de la Rey said she had been heartened by the increase in the Emerging Researcher Programme, which boosted its 2005 intake by 68%, with women accounting for more than half of this increase. The number of black participants had grown by 75%.

There is a web-based version of the report available at http://www.research2005.uct.ac.za. Please refer to this for the complete set of research output.