On Friday, 14 August Stellenbosch University (SU) researchers will once again have the opportunity to meet their research colleagues from other faculties, with the objective of stimulating academic collaboration at the University. “The idea with these networking events is to encourage symbiotic relationships between researchers across all our campuses,” says Anita Nel, senior director of Innovation and Business Development at SU and CEO of Innovus.
The next event will take place at the University’s LaunchLab offices on Friday, 14 August at 3pm. A short presentation on one of the University’s exciting new technologies will be presented as well as a short introduction on a hot new topic in the international research arena. “We have earmarked 2015 as the ‘Year of Inspiration’ and we’d like to use this event to inspire our researchers and prompt more of the innovative thinking that Stellenbosch University has become renowned for,” says Nel.
Refreshments will be served at the event and there will also be ample time to mingle with other researchers and colleagues from faculties all over campus. This is the fourth networking event of its kind, after the opportunity was first created for researchers to meet at an Innovation Breakfast hosted by Innovus in August 2014. According to Nel, these events were prompted by the fact that SU researchers often coincidentally speak to each other about their work and then realise that they can work together to solve a problem. The researcher networking event seeks to provide the platform for such “chance” meetings in a relaxed environment.
“We’d like to ignite a renewed sense of excitement about the research taking place at SU. I’d also like to invite all deans and heads of departments to market this event in their faculties and departments. It’s the ideal opportunity to meet like-minded academics who can provide valuable insight and feedback on the research projects taking place all over campus,” says Anita.
A formal invitation to the event will follow via e-mail. In the meantime, interested parties can contact Christle de Beer at
christled@sun.ac.za or call (021) 808 9062.
