Dr Nokuthula Vilakazi says research at the Future Africa Campus will connect people from all walks of life. The Programme Coordinator, Early Career Research Leader Fellowship at Future Africa says the research hub will benefit the whole continent because of the diversity of researchers representing a range of disciplines, from across Africa and internationally.

“The goal is to try and develop multidisciplinary and responsible research to find innovative solutions to complex problems in multinational research teams - together with societal structures beyond academia – no matter which part of the continent you come from.”

Vilakazi says the research hub aims to leverage on the benefits of the transdisciplinary approach that integrates perspectives from different disciplines, scales, sectors and divides to address the challenges that face the continent and the world.

Dr Nokuthula Vilakazi, the Programme Coordinator, Early Career Research Leader Fellowship at Future Africa

This view is shared by UP Professors Bernard Slippers and Stephanie Burton. They say Future Africa aspires to scholarship of the highest quality that will contribute to global knowledge creation in the continuum of basic and applied sciences. “It recognises both the roles of talented individuals and the importance of an interconnected, team-based approach, creating new opportunities linking the best in Africa with the best around the world.”

Vilakazi says her plans for Future Africa are to mobilise effective collaborations across different disciplines, spaces, scales, sectors, divides and cultures. To be in the forefront of shaping a new generation of research leaders through mentorship, skills development and science leadership development.

“It is a hub of discovery and innovation that provides the physical and intellectual environment for developing the best research and innovation with a sense of social responsibility to advance transdisciplinary research that will bring about transformative change to the complex challenges that face Africa and the world,” she concludes.