Research and Internationalisation
Development and Support (RIDS)
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Our work
RIDS supports excellence in research
The Division for Research and Internationalisation Development and Support (RIDS) in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), led by Prof Nico Gey van Pittius, Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation, provides professional and efficient support to advance research across the Faculty. RIDS assists staff and students with research, funding, and ethics needs, while fostering a welcoming and service-oriented environment.
Its work focuses on building research capacity, supporting all research stakeholders, coordinating funding applications and awards, and ensuring regulatory compliance, including ethical approval of protocols. RIDS also works closely with Stellenbosch University’s Division of Research Development and Postgraduate Office to address the priorities of our research community.
Our Services
Registrar Research Support
🟣Research guidance and support is provided for registrars in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences who undertake research as part of specialist or MMed and MPhil qualifications. A new head will be appointed soon.
Undergraduate Research Support
🔴Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences who undertake research are supported through building research capacity, facilitating ethics reviews, and mobilising funding. Ms Inge Sonn is responsible for this function.
FMHS Doctoral Office
🟠The Tygerberg Doctoral Office provides strategic leadership and comprehensive support to doctoral students, supervisors and programme leaders; convenes a Pre-Doctoral Short Course, and handles research masters' examinations. Dr Liela Groenewald leads this portfolio.
Health Research Ethics
🔵The Health Research Ethics Office works supports the work of two of the five institutional Research Ethics Committees at SU; and supports SU researchers in their best practice conduct in respect of the protection of human participant safety, rights, and welfare in health research. Ms Charmaine Khumalo manages this office.
Tygerberg International
🌐Tygerberg International promotes exchange; supports international visitors; and facilitates the registration of international colleagues with the HPCSA and the Foreign Workforce Management programme of the national Department of Health. The unit operates under the stewardship of Dr Nyambura Mwagiru.
Research Grants Management
Professional support to FMHS researchers with the acquisition and management of grants.
Organisation
RIDS encompasses seven offices: Research Capacity Development and Funding, the Tygerberg Doctoral Office, Registrar Research Support, Undergraduate Research Support, the Health Research Ethics Office, the Animal Research Unit, and Tygerberg International, in collaboration with the Grants Management Office - as shown in the organogram below.
