Grant fosters global student networks

UCT's links with its counterparts across the seas have been given a major fillip by the first-of-its kind travel grant, sponsored by the European Union (EU).

The European and South African Research Network in Anxiety Disorders (EUSARNAD) research exchange exploits inter-university collaboration to develop a greater understanding of anxiety disorders and develop more effective treatments for patients.

Since 2011 12 UCT psychiatry and mental health students have been able to visit universities in Estonia, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK thanks to the EUSARNAD agreement. It has also seen UCT lecturers mentor students from these countries. The grant was awarded through the Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme.

"What was most pleasing was that many of the awardees developed friendships, so it became a really collaborative and productive network," reports Professor Dan Stein, head of UCT's Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health.

David Baldwin, Professor of Psychiatry and Head of Mental Health Group at the University of Southampton, agreed. "What pleases me is to see the enthusiasm and commitment of the 'exchangees', who are developing new ideas for research collaboration together."