The Centre for Quality of Health and Living (CQHL) in the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences recently partnered with the Clinical Research Investigator Site Management Organisation (CRISMO) to develop clinical research opportunities in the Free State region and contribute to the advancement of science and clinical research. The partnership aims to provide education and training in research and related skills, especially for postgraduate and undergraduate students, thereby enhancing the faculty’s academic programmes. 

In his brief overview, Prof. Tshepiso Makhafola, Assistant Dean: Research, Innovation and Engagement, indicated that the partnership would focus on enhancing and facilitating disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaboration, knowledge transfer and training. He further said that the faculty would be involved in one or two projects in the research centre and be active in the CRISMO and CUT academy.

“We aim to contribute to the university’s strategic educational and research missions, support synergies between research, teaching, and learning, as well as allow our students to have direct industry exposure during their research and student years. We aim to transfer knowledge gained through research for the benefit of society via a variety of mechanisms as appropriate.”

Mr Gama Major Cindi, Executive Director at CRISMO, said that Clinical Research Investigator Site Management Organisation (CRISMO) is a research center investigating new medications. Their vision is to be a preferred transformational partner in scientific research.

“We need to develop capacity-building collaborations and increase the participation of public health institutions. We also need to create a platform for science graduates to develop industry-relevant experience through created opportunities in research. Through our collaboration and partnership with CUT, we want to create this platform so that when our students graduate, they don’t surprisingly bump into clinical research but rather, know that there is an industry called clinical research that they can venture into. This partnership is one of the biggest milestones and it demonstrates that we are in the right direction towards creating capacity building,” said Mr Cindi.

Caption

Dr Hildah Mfengwana, Head of Department: Health Sciences, Dr Siphosethu Cossie, Clinical Manager and Research Investigator: CRISMO, Prof. Hesta Friedrich-Nel, Acting Dean: Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Dr Oluwafolajimi Fadahun, Principal Investigator, Epidemiologist and Biostatistician: CRISMO, Mr Major Cindi, Executive Director: CRISMO, Sr Puleng Dhlamini, Registered Nurse: CRISMO, Mrs Boipelo Nakedi, Faculty Administrator and Prof. Tshepiso Makhafola, Assistant Dean: Research, Innovation and Engagement.