Research with impact inspires learning, unlearning, and relearning

23 October 2024 - Wits University

At the 15th Cross-Faculty Postgraduate Symposium, Wits Master’s and PhD students presented research that demonstrated significant impact.

The symposium showcased research by Wits students across the five faculties: Commerce, Law and Management; Engineering and the Built Environment; Health Sciences; Humanities; and Science.

Organised by the Postgraduate Research Office, the annual event, this year held from 7 to 9 October, provided a platform for Master’s and PhD students to present their work to a panel of judges and learn from other disciplines. After each presentation, a Q&A session was held for further discussion.

Gilbert Sepobe Nchabeleng, African Literature PhD candidate, said that the symposium is a space for education. “There are no giants in the field of ideas. We are here to learn, unlearn, relearn, and most importantly, to educate,” he said.

This educational symposium is part of Wits University’s postgraduate research strategic plan, which outlines supportive frameworks that guide and shape investment and activities across the University to provide Wits postgraduates with a high-quality and sought-after learning experience.

Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at Wits, emphasised the importance of participating in these types of events that provide an opportunity to communicate and interact with a cross-disciplinary audience.

“Communication is key to being a successful researcher and it’s a skill that you need to learn and develop as you go along your journey. The ability to make your research understandable to people outside of your field is critical,” she said.

Titled, Cross-Faculty, the symposium is structured as a competition that provides an opportunity to engage in high-level intellectual research exchanges with colleagues and students.

The event concluded with the announcement of winners in various categories, selected from those who presented their research before a panel at the symposium.

Winners are:

Masters Oral

Masters GradFlash (This category assesses students’ ability to present their research in a succinct and engaging manner.)

PhD Oral

PhD GradFlash (This category assesses students’ ability to present their research in a succinct and engaging manner.)

Click here for more on the winner's research.