UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

University Research Committee

  1. Composition of the University Research Committee

    The membership of the University Research Committee (URC) in 2011 is shown below. Members are appointed jointly by Senate and Council and serve a term of office of three years, which may be renewed.


    Ex Officio:  
    Chairperson:
    (Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)    		 Professor H Laburn (E)
    Vice-Chancellor: Professor LG Nongxa
    Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Professors Y Ballim, RT Moore 
    University Librarian: Mr F Ubogu
    Council Appointed: Profs S Madhi, G Marcelle, G Eagle, B Lacquet and Dr. B Kana
    Dean's Representative / Deputy Chair: Professor AM Crouch
    Dean's nominees: Professors R Gibson (E) and N Rankin, Drs M Shuma-Iwisi and K Khoza-Shangase
    Prof S Fonn (E)
    Chairpersons of the Faculty RC:
    		Professors A McLennan (E), HM Marques (E), B. Kramer (E), M. Leon (E), L Cornish (E).
    By invitation of Chairperson: Dr G von Gruenewaldt
    Representative of Postgraduate Association

    (E) Members of URC Executive

  2. Functions of the University Research Committee

    The URC takes responsibility for implementing the research policy of the University and, with its various sub-committees, is responsible for the support and monitoring of all University approved research and related activities. In particular, the URC is responsible for:

    • Allocating 70% of the University's research budget to the five Faculties, on the basis of an annually-updated productivity index
    • Receiving and considering reports on how the Faculties have used the funds so allocated to them
    • Allocating 30% of the University's research budget to such centrally-funded activities as postdoctoral fellowships, the Thuthuka programme, the Friedel Sellschop Award, equipment finding, etc
    • Oversight of certain central services, viz: the Central Animal Service, the Electron Microscope Unit, the Health Physics Service and the Central Optical Service
    • Managing and allocating various trust funds and endowments and other general funds bequeathed to the University for research and related purposes
    • All matters related to research funding by statutory councils such as the National Research Foundation and the Medical Research Council
    • Screening all proposed research involving human and animal subjects to ensure compliance with both University and national ethical guidelines
    • Screening all proposed research involving issues of biosafety
    • Compiling and presenting an annual report on the research output of the University: this includes an annual submission to the Department of Education, which forms the basis of one component of the government subsidy formula; the funds so generated are fed back into the University?s overall research endeavours via FRAC allocations
    • Assisting individual researchers and research entities with the general running and administration of their activities, including in particular matters such as appointment and remuneration of staff, drawing up research contracts and budgeting.

    The office of the Deputy Registrar (Academic & Research) is responsible for supporting the URC in the execution of the above functions.

  3. URC Meeting Dates in 2012

    01 February (E)
    07 March
    28 May (E)
    22 August
    15 October (E)
    14 November

    (E) Executive only