The Faculty of Health Sciences hosted their annual Faculty Day from 20 to 21 August 2019 at the Tswelopele Building. Various research entities and organisations used the event as a platform to highlight the impact of their research not only to the health sector but also to various communities.

Prof Dianne Manning, Acting Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning encouraged students and researchers to celebrate what the faculty has achieved to date. She added: “This is a great platform to hear from younger, exciting, emerging voices and allow them to showcase their work that will be celebrated in the future.”

“Research, innovation and education towards better health” was the theme this year and served as a guideline for researchers, post and undergraduate students to share their groundbreaking work.

Prof Tiaan de Jager, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences thanked all attendees and participants for making this year’s edition a success. He added: “2019 saw us introducing innovative, cutting edge research, through guest lectures, oral presentations and displayed through making use of high-end technology, such as the Electronic Poster options.”

Exhibition stalls kept visitors busy while posters exhibitions and presentations brought awareness to all on the various research that is being done in the faculty.

Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria joined in on the fun and commended the researchers on their creativity at Faculty Day. “What it showed us is that quite a lot of cutting edge research is being done in the Faculty of Health Sciences. It is the kind of research that really matters to transforming lives and towards ensuring that we have a health system that can sustain humanity.”

Both undergraduate and postgraduate appreciated the opportunity to engage with other health professionals. The keynote speakers addressed various topics. Prof Charles Feldman address focused on "A lifetime of pneumococcal research", Dr Simba Takuva’s topic was titled "An update on current HIV vaccine clinical trials in South Africa and the region" while Prof Mashudu Tshifularo shared insights about the innovative world-first middle-ear transplant.

Prof Ally, Assistant to the Dean for Research concluded that: “We had a vast number of young researchers who exhibited quality work and this indicates that we have an excellent future.”

To watch the summary of Faculty Day please click here

To download the abstract please click here

To view the list of winners please click here