Research growth and global funding drive push for more doctoral graduates in Economics and Finance

The Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Faculty of Economics and Finance is strengthening its research profile, contributing to a £3.5 million international research project and recording growth in its research performance.

During a recent visit to the Ga-Rankuwa Campus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, Dr Vatiswa Papu-Zamxaka, urged staff members to pursue doctoral qualifications. During a recent visit to the Ga-Rankuwa Campus, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement, Dr Vatiswa Papu-Zamxaka, urged staff members to pursue doctoral qualifications, embrace collaboration and make full use of available research funding opportunities.

Dr Papu-Zamxaka visited the Faculty of Economics and Finance at TUT’s Ga-Rankuwa Campus as part of efforts to strengthen the University's research capacity and support the development of academic staff.

The visit provided an opportunity for engagement, feedback and discussions on research, innovation and collaboration. It also aligned with the University's strategic objective to ‘Produce cutting – edge research and problem-solving innovations’, as well as future-ready graduates. During the session, executives and staff members identified opportunities to strengthen research, collaboration and innovation across the University. They also discussed challenges facing researchers and explored available funding opportunities to further enhance research excellence and impact.

Prof Polly Mashigo, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Finance, welcomed Dr Papu-Zamxaka and expressed pride in the faculty's research progress. She highlighted growth in research activities and praised researchers for their dedication and commitment to advancing the faculty's research agenda.

The Faculty's growing research footprint is reflected in its participation in the Circular Economy Powered Renewable Energy Centre (CEPREC) project, which secured £3.5 million in international funding under the United Kingdom Research and Innovation programme. The project is a collaborative initiative involving the Faculty of Economics and Finance and the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

During the engagement, executives and staff members explored ways to strengthen research, collaboration and innovation while discussing available funding opportunities and strategies to enhance research performance.

In her keynote address, Dr Papu-Zamxaka encouraged staff members to pursue doctoral qualifications and take advantage of funding opportunities available to support their academic development.

She emphasised the value of collaboration among universities and researchers in driving research excellence and innovation.

She highlighted that TUT is the first university to collaborate on a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme with Stellenbosch University (SU). The initiative will support ten postdoctoral research fellows who will undertake a joint research project across the two institutions, spending one year at each institution while working under the guidance of supervisors from both universities.

Attendees at the Economics and Finance Research Day engaging during discussions. Dr Papu-Zamxaka also stressed the importance of producing graduates who enter the workplace with strong theoretical knowledge, practical understanding and relevant skills.

She encouraged academics to strive for excellence and reach their full potential as researchers and scholars.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor commended the Faculty for its improved 2024 research performance and acknowledged the progress it has made in strengthening its research culture.

The faculty has witnessed a significant growth in its research output over the past five years, increasing from 7.83% in 2021 to 14.72% in 2022, increasing further to 18.44% in 2023 then 54.77% in 2024.

The visit comes at a time when the University is experiencing broader growth in research and innovation. According to the 2024 Research, Innovation and Engagement Annual Report, TUT increased its accredited research output from 453.08 units in 2023 to 461.52 units in 2024, while external research funding grew by 22% to more than R223 million. The University also increased its number of active NRF-rated researchers by 7%, bringing the total to 62 rated researchers.

The report further notes that the number of staff members holding doctoral qualifications increased by 17.8% in 2024, reflecting the University's focus on building research capacity and academic excellence.

In postgraduate education, the Faculty of Economics and Finance recorded 19 Master's graduations and one doctoral graduation during the 2024 academic year, contributing to the University's postgraduate development goals. https://www.tut.ac.za/media/tshwane-interim/site-content/images/general/RnI_AnnualRepor-2024.pdf 

NRF C2- rated Professor, Philna Coetzee who is the Research Coordinator, thanked Prof Mashigo for the support and encouragement she provides to researchers in the Faculty.

"I want to thank our Executive Dean for the consistent support she has given us. Our duties can be challenging, but her support makes it easier for us to navigate," she said.