NRF Participates in the Induction Workshop for nGAP Lecturers

NRF Participates in the Induction Workshop for nGAP Lecturers

The National Research Foundation (NRF) had an opportunity to interact with the ninth cohort of the New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) lecturers at an Induction Workshop conducted for the new nGAP lecturers, nGAP mentors and managers held from 14 to 15 October 2024 at the Boardwalk Convention Centre, in Gqeberha, South Africa. The workshop was organised by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

In 2015, DHET launched the Staffing South Africa’s Universities Framework (SSAUF) which presented a “…comprehensive, transformative approach to developing future generations of academics and building staff capacity”. For the nGAP programme, the NRF provides additional support by way of the DSI-NRF Research Development Grants for nGAP Scholars in the PhD and Post-PhD track. The purpose of this Research Development Grant is primarily to provide initial funding in support of the scholars’ research development. The expectation is that new nGAP incumbents will also apply for other competitive research grants both through the NRF and other funding agencies within their first or second year of appointment.

Ms Edith Shikumo and Mr Sello Moloi from the Next Generation and Emerging Researchers (NGER) unit within the Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA) of the NRF attended the workshop to provide targeted information and support for the newly inducted nGAP lecturers to prime them to submit applications for the DSI-NRF Research Development Grants for nGAP Scholars when the Call opens in mid-January 2025. The workshop also provided an opportunity to further engage them on other funding instruments under the Emerging Researcher stable such as Thuthuka and Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP) that would be suitable for this cohort as they progress further in their academic careers.

The nGAP is currently in its ninth phase of implementation. Over the last nine years, more than 950 young academics have been onboarded into the programme with more than 80% of participants coming from previously disadvantaged population groups. Ms Silindile Shabalala, Deputy Director: University Capacity Development of the DHET said, “The programme is playing a vital role in transforming the higher education landscape not only through opportunities to these designated groups, but importantly, capacitating them to ensure they are able to succeed and progress academically once they have entered the system.”

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