The University Capacity Development Programmes National Collaborative Project: Strengthening Academic Staff Development in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in South Africa

Please read the: 2023 Letter to all partner institutions

The National Mathematics and Statistical Sciences Teaching Development is a national collaborative project named: "The University Capacity Development Programmes National Collaborative Project: Strengthening Academic Staff Development in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences in South Africa". It is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The University of Pretoria (UP) is the lead institution and the project will be led by the Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at UP.

The purpose of the project is to support the development of better qualified in-service mathematics and statistics academics at all higher education institutions in South Africa, and in so doing better ensure a more sustainable academic pipeline. This will be achieved by:

Supporting entry-level and new-generation academics to engage in postgraduate studies, especially at master’s and doctoral level;
Enhancing student learning and academic success through the sustained focus on improving the quality and impact of university lecturers;
Developing lecturers’ pedagogical competencies to teach their disciplines competently at multiple levels from undergraduate to postgraduate;
Enhancing the ability of university lecturers to supervise postgraduate student research through pedagogical competency and improved qualifications, resulting in academics well-grounded in their disciplines

Improving the qualifications of mathematics and statistics academics is critical in order to contribute to the achievement of the National Development Plan target of 75% of higher education staff with a doctoral degree. This will also improve the quality of academics and pool of supervisors in the fields of mathematics and statistics. This project is strongly aligned with the priority “Development of university teachers and teaching” of the Teaching Development Grants.

Duration: 1 September 2017 to 31 December 2023.

Partner Institutions: The project involves 22 Partner Universities (Durban University of Technology; Mangosuthu University of Technology; Nelson Mandela University; North-West University; Rhodes University; Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University; Sol Plaatje University; Stellenbosch University; Tshwane University of Technology; University of Cape Town; University of Fort Hare; University of the Free State; University of Johannesburg; University of Kwa-Zulu Natal; University of Limpopo; University of South Africa; University of Zululand; University of Pretoria; University of Venda; University of Western Cape; University of Witwatersrand; Walter Sisulu University), 1 Centres of Excellence (Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Science (MaSS)), 1 Institute (African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)), 2 Learned Societies (South African Mathematical Society (SAMS); South African Statistical Association (SASA)) and 1 Government Agency (National Research Foundation (NRF))

Node Leaders: Appointed by each Partner Institution

Governance Structure for 2023:

Advisory Committee - Current Human Capacity Development Steering Committee of Mathematics and Statistics:

Prof Loyiso Nongwa (Wits) - Chairman Prof Renette Blignaut (UWC)

Prof Mapundi Banda (UP) Dr Freedom Gumedze (UCT)

Prof David Holgate (UWC) Dr Simiso Moyo (UV)

Prof Inger Fabris-Rotelli (UP) Prof James Allison (NWU)

Project Coordinator – Prof Barend Erasmus (UP)

Academic Project Leader – Prof Mapundi Banda (UP)

Project Officer – Mrs Retha Meiring (UP)

Node Leaders are requested to assist with quality assurance of funding applications before they are submitted to UP. They should also ensure that supervisors motivate how the funding requested will assist the applicants in their research substantively. Some applications are incomplete or are submitted with inadequate information; such applications are referred back which leads to delays. In addition, levels and items of funding requested should be consistent with the applicant’s institution’s own policies as well as the project’s guidelines.

Unfortunately No available funding for 2024

Activities for 2023: (Download the 2023 Guidelines)

Activity 1: Winter and summer school, travel and board

Activity 1a: Workshop or Research School attendance (Local or International)

Activity 1b&c: Workshop organisation I & II

Activity d: Mobility Grants

Activity e: Once-off Grants

Activity 2: Activities Planning Workshops

Activity 3: Conference Participation

Activity 3a: Local Conference Participation

Activity 3b: Regional Conference Participation (SADC Region)

Activity 5: International conference participation

Activity 6: Staff time buy-out or replacement of staff costs

Funding: Mathematics and Statistics academic staff at partner universities that offer postgraduate studies and programmes are eligible to apply and be supported through the staff development initiative (please refer to the funding guide for eligibility). Selection is on merit following an appropriate review processes.All funding contributions from the UCDP-MSS Program depend on availability of funds and will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Completed and signed Application Forms must be submitted at least 6 weeks before an event by the Node Leader, with quotations and the following supporting documentation: