Researchers without Borders: a novel collaboration with the University of Bristol

RESEARCHERS WITHOUT BORDERS
A novel collaboration with
the University of Bristol
The University of Cape Town (UCT) has joined hands with the
University of Bristol to launch a novel Researchers without Borders
PhD programme that Vice-Chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng
has described as a “profound collaboration”.
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UCT VC Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng and
Prof Hugh Brady, president of the University
of Bristol, shake on the new agreement
following the signing ceremony.
This is a watershed
moment in our relationship
and partnership work in Africa
in new, exciting, co-evolved projects,
he added.
Initial support for the programme
has come from the two universities,
the Global Challenge Research Fund
and the University of Bristol’s alumni
community.
The first cohort of seven students,
will start projects this year across the
diverse research areas of migration
and mobility, public health, exercise
and epidemiology.
PHOTOGRAPH: COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
he two universities have
developed a framework
agreement for co-tutored PhDs,
providing opportunities for students to
work on research projects that exploit
the strengths and capabilities of both
institutions.
Phakeng and Professor Hugh Brady,
president of the University of Bristol,
signed the agreement in Bristol after
the university conferred an honorary
doctorate on Phakeng in recognition
of her substantial contribution to the
development of mathematics education
in South Africa.
Participating PhD students will be
registered at, and have supervisors
and co-supervisors at both universities,
spending almost equal amounts of time
at each institution during the four-year,
fully-funded scholarships.
Phakeng said the novel programme,
with its focus on early-career
researchers, has great potential to
support future leaders in research and
society, while “bringing two great
universities together in a profound
collaboration”.
Brady said he was delighted to mark
the signing of the agreement with UCT,
calling it “a watershed moment in our
relationship and partnership work in
Africa”.
It will support world-class research

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