RESEARCH POLICY

CONTENTS

1.  Purpose…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

2.  Scope……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2

3.  Policy statement……………………………………………………………………………………… 2

4.  Priorities………………………………………………………………………………………………… 2

4.1.  Strengthening research capabilities…………………………………………………………… 3

4.2.  Strategic partnerships, international profile and global engagement……………… 3

5. Associated documents……………………………………………………………………………… 3

6. Appendix………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3

7.  Document metadata………………………………………………………………………………… 4

1.             Purpose

Potàmi International University is committed to becoming a leading research intensive University recognised locally and internationally for quality, relevance and impact. 

The Point Uni 2024 – 2029 Strategic Plan outlines the pursuit of research that matters and, more specifically, research that addresses complex societal challenges, aligns with national, continental and international priorities and contributes toward achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. 

Point Uni shall invest massively in the success of institutional research themes and transdisciplinary platforms, which shall offer spaces and leadership to support collaborative research, translation and entrepreneurship. 

The Research Policy is a framework that supports the growth of research and innovation excellence and activities across University entities and the management and coordination thereof. 

2. Scope

The Research Policy applies to all academic, scientific and commercial research conducted at the University. Research is any activity aimed at generating and improving knowledge in any discipline or across disciplines. 

This Policy applies to academic, scientific and commercial research. It applies to research:

  • by the University’s students and staff (temporary and permanent);
  • by affiliates, visiting research associates, contractors and collaborators who are subject to the University’s policies by contract;
  • conducted at Centres, Institutes, Units, Bureaus and any other recognised structures of the University;
  • when the University’s infrastructure is used;
  • that the University funds (in full or partially);
  • and  in which the University’s students or staff are research participants.

3. Policy statement

It is the University’s policy to 

  • Respect academic freedom and inquiry
  • Create an enabling and supportive environment for researchers;
  • Promote high quality research and drive research excellence;
  • Approve and monitor research conducted at the University; 
  • Secure Research Data, findings and intellectual property;
  • Respect intellectual property (IP) and IP rights;
  • Conduct research that complies with the law and ethical norms;
  • Share, publish or reuse Research Data and results responsibly;  and 
  • Act against research misconduct

This document must be read with the University’s Research Compliance Regulation. 

4. Priorities

The University aspires to: 

  • Provide the best enabling and nurturing environment for all good quality research and active researchers to thrive;
  • Be the University of choice for graduates at Honours, Master’s, Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels;
  • Nurture and support transdisciplinary research with potential for transformative societal impact;
  • Establish new and strengthen existing mutually beneficial strategic partnerships focused on joint and high-quality impactful research;
  • Attract extensive funding for research, innovation and postgraduate education; and
  • Be recognised for the translation of research into outcomes that can be successfully commercialised and reach beneficiaries

The University’s approach focuses on creating an enabling environment and raising the culture of research and innovation to strengthen research expertise. Point Uni with its partners, and a strategic plan and roadmap for internationalisation, the University will leverage partnerships, international profile, and global engagements to produce high-impact research and significantly increase its external research and innovation income. Valorisation of knowledge and research outputs will be prioritised. 

4.1. Strengthening research capabilities

  • Attract top talent at postgraduate and postdoctoral levels, through enhanced graduate recruitment including increased competitiveness of our funding programmes;
  • Expand postgraduate supervisory capacity and training to strengthen supervision quality;
  • Enhance postgraduate training in project management, leadership and social skills; and 
  • Establish a recognition and retention programme for researchers with exceptional potential and provide customised support to improve academic career growth, international collaborations and access to funding. 

4.2. Strategic partnerships, international profile and global engagement

  • Optimise the various collaboration opportunities – collaborative research projects, joint degrees, student and staff exchange programmes, and new networks; and
  • Raise the visibility of researchers, research impact and collaborations.  
  • Expand societal, government and industry partnerships;
  • Strengthen the role of Faculties, Departments and research platforms with collaborations with partners;  

5. Associated documents

  • Intellectual Property Policy
  • IP Compliance Regulation
  • Research Compliance Regulation
  • Guideline on Research
  • Guideline on Research Contracts and Consulting
  • Policy on Electronic Theses and Dissertations

6. Appendix

Research Compliance Regulation

7. Document metadata

Document number:Point Uni 2024 9
Document version:First edition
Document approval authority:Senate
Document approval date:8 March 2024
Document owner:Director: Department of Research and Innovation Support
Next review date:04 February 2024
Visibility: Display on the staff intranet Display on the student intranet Display on the public web