International Collaboration and Doctoral Training Opportunities in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
This initiative aims to enhance the production of high-quality mathematical and statistical scientists by facilitating pathways from undergraduate to doctoral studies, fostering collaboration, and advancing knowledge in academia and beyond.
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International collaboration and doctoral training opportunities: Graduate academy for mathematical and statistical sciences Molapo Qhobela, PhD & Andrew Kaniki PhD National Research Foundation Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 1
c South African Graduate academy for Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Admin and governance hub) Emerging Academics/ Early Career Researchers Centre for Doct Hons Masters Established oral Training VARIOUS INTERVENTIONS AND INSTRUMENTS Alternative pathways / entry points into the pipeline Alternative pathways/ entry points into the pipeline 2
The Academy The aim of the academy is to enhance the production of a large number of high quality mathematical and statistical scientists by taking numbers of honours/undergraduate students into masters cohorts through the doctorate, into the emerging/early career researchers/academics and consequently, to established academics. The academy will: complement the mandate of the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Mathematics and Statistics (CoE MaSS) and will be associated with and closely linked to the centre; be a collaborative virtual entity, voluntary membership of HEIs with an administrative hub preferably located at a neutral non-higher education institution; not enrol students for qualification purposes; and coordinate, organize, and in some cases run various interventions and programmes. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 3
Mission To pool existing expertise and take advantage of international networks and partnerships to produce the next generation of mathematicians and statisticians with the breadth and depth of knowledge of contemporary developments in mathematical and statistical sciences and with the advanced quantitative skills that will enable them to contribute to the advancement of new knowledge and make meaningful contributions in academia, public and private sectors and non-governmental organisations. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 4
Vision The Vision of the National Graduate Academy is diverse, locally and internationally connected South African mathematical and communities: diverse in terms of spectrum of sub- disciplines covered, diversity of ideas, advanced machinery and techniques deployed to solve problems and the range of research questions pursued, from fundamental questions and new theories to diversity of applications. statistical sciences Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 5
Objectives Create a platform that would leverage new and additional resources to support mathematical and statistical sciences in South Africa; Encourage collaboration and pool expertise to offer postgraduate programmes that individual institutions cannot (sustainably) offer on their own; Provide a platform for graduate students and young academics to network with peers and experts outside their institutions; Systematic identification and support for sub-disciplines that may be at risk or are strategically important; and Promote the unity of the mathematical and statistical sciences. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 6
Possible Programmes/Interventions Education and training: Ms and Ds Staff Development: academics attainment of Ms and Ds Research Training Networks; Research Career Development; New Trends and Future Directions; Partnerships and networking; and Mathematicians and Statisticians for the National System of Innovation. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 7
Form and types SA/UK Collaboration: Centre For Doctoral Training (CDT) Establishing a South Africa CDT/collaboration Identify a relevant/effective model Bring together SA providers Frame priorities for domestic collaboration Training the trainers Soft mechanisms building in support across the system UUK offer: virtual advisory group Advancing Knowlege, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 8
Form and types contd UUK offered to articulate options with USAf and disseminate to UK sector Reciprocity is key to building partnerships Staff Exchange Co-supervision/sandwich doctoral SA students registered at their local institutions Linkages and collaboration to be pursued with: University of Warwick primarily Mathematics Lancaster University primarily Statistics University College London Big Data Alan Turing Institute which includes five (5) University partners Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 9
Form and types contd British Council Newton fund: doctoral and postdoctoral support Mobility grants between researchers and academics that may result in joint projects Support for early career/emerging researchers/academics to network and collaborative work Post-doctoral support for shorter and longer periods, taking cognizance that female researchers/ academics may not be able to stay away from family for long periods of time Attract UK Postdoctoral fellows particularly in those areas that South Africa has a scientific geographic advantage like: Biodiversity Communicable Diseases Food Security (we may want to bring the Agricultural Research Council on board) Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 10
The Academy: structure and governance Steering Committee Statistics Mathematics Academic/ Programme Committee Administrative Academic/Programme Committee Hub Intervention 1 Intevention 2 Intervension 3 Project 1 Project 2 Intervention 1 Academic Statistics in Crisis TDG ???? ???? ???? TDG 1. TDG: Teaching Development Grant Funding from DHET; Funding Managed by University of Pretoria 2018-2020 2. Academic Statistics: Funding from the NRF, Administered by University of Stellenbosch with collective decisions on activities by HODs of Statistics Departments Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 11
The Academy: structure and governance Steering Committee = NRF representatives + SASA President +SAMS President+ representative from STA Academic Com + representative from MAM Academic Com + Administrative Director (at Hub) The role of the Steering Committee is governance and oversight of all the activities of the Academy. As such, it will be responsible for ensuring that the Academy meets its objectives of serving the mathematical and statistical sciences communities and the South African university sector. It will draw up proposals for the short- and mid-term objectives of the academy. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 12
The Academy: structure and governance Academic/Programme Committees = HOD s or representatives (one for STA and one for MAM) Responsible for academic interventions, plus identification of problem areas and possible solutions to be presented to Steering Committee Administrative Hub Responsible for joint oversight, administrative task related to interventions, administration and disbursement of funds. The Role of the NRF: Provide support as per (NRF) mandate and as agreed. Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 13
Enkosi, Thank you, Re a leboga, Siyabonga, Dankie Dr Andrew Kaniki andrew@nrf.ac.za www.nrf.ac.za Advancing Knowledge, Transforming Lives, Inspiring a Nation 14
