MRC Workshop: Academic and Proposal Writing

Summary Report

The workshop was attended by about 35 delegates (postgraduate students and staff members) from various disciplines including Agriculture, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Nursing as well as delegates from the Human Social Sciences.

Dr Katerere’s presentation on the formulation of both the research and the grant proposal, covered the following aspects in-depth:

• Definition of research objectives
• Background/introduction of your research
• Mind mapping of your research idea
• Thesis writing
• Pointers of good writing
• Your first paper and
• Oral presentations

His approach towards writing a research proposal was quite unique, in that he included the mind mapping approach as a prompt for generating novel ideas as well as for acquiring critical thinking skills. The delegates found the approach fascinating and easy to conceptualize as most of them had never been exposed to this method.  The presentation kept everyone participating as it was accompanied by group work, which also served, indirectly, as a test for group dynamics!  At the end of the first day some homework was assigned to individuals and was reviewed on the second day of the workshop. Each individual who submitted the assignment was given a personal and specific review. Candidates who had proposals already written prior to the workshop had them reviewed objectively and with insight by Dr Katerere together with the participants.

Dr Thabi Maitin and Mrs Lebo Montewa gave a presentation on the available funding opportunities for training and development of both established researchers (including visiting professionals) as well as for beginners in research, including graduate students.  A wide range of discussions was generated from this presentation with most delegates displaying enthusiasm and interest in applying. Collaboration with well established researchers in the country or internationally, where possible, was also encouraged to help individuals’ research throughput.

‘The ball is in your court!’ Those were the closing remarks uttered by  Prof Mashudu Maselesele  (Dean of  the Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology - FAST) encouraging especially the young researchers to use this opportunity as a vehicle towards establishing themselves and for graduate students as a means towards completing their M and D degrees as the MRC has open doors for them.

The workshop was an overwhelming success. The presentations were received with enthusiasm and appreciation by the delegates as most young and graduate participants seemingly, only had inadequate or no exposure at all to such workshops.

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