Durban:The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) has launched the WRIGHT initiative at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) to bolster women's participation and leadership in research and innovation. This move underscores the department's dedication to advancing gender equity in these fields.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina emphasized the importance of integrating research with industry and community needs at the launch event. She noted that universities of technology are pivotal in transforming academic knowledge into practical applications and highlighted the necessity for women to be involved at every stage of this process.
The WRIGHT initiative aligns with MUT's ongoing efforts to enhance its research capacity, which includes a R2 million investment aimed at supporting first-time researchers. The university is also planning to introduce a multidisciplinary research journal, host a research conference, and launch the "MUT in Research" program.
Deputy Minister Gina pointed out the progress made in women's representation within South Africa's research workforce, citing data from the 2023/24 National Survey of Research and Experimental Development. However, she cautioned that mere representation does not equate to full equality in advancement and leadership opportunities.
Globally, women make up only 31% to 33% of researchers, a figure that has shown little change over the past ten years. The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the need to improve the transition from research to commercialisation, as South Africa's performance in this area remains suboptimal.
The initiative builds upon commitments made in the 1996 and 2019 White Papers on Science and Technology, which aimed to address gender disparities and promote inclusivity. Deputy Minister Gina stressed that women's leadership and perspectives are crucial for research to be relevant and responsive to societal needs, especially as new technologies emerge.
The Deputy Minister praised the contributions of Professor Naidoo, who has significantly advanced research on tuberculosis and HIV, training over 100 students, 89% of whom are women. She encouraged the WRIGHT Steering Committee to foster partnerships and share insights across the research community.
In conclusion, she expressed her hope that young girls in rural areas would be inspired by women in science, seeing a future for themselves in these fields. The Deputy Minister congratulated MUT on the initiative, expressing confidence in WRIGHT's potential to create a more inclusive research environment.
