Research and Internationalisation 
Development and Support (RIDS)

 

forward together • sonke siya phambili • saam vorentoe

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

Research Capacity Building & Funding

🟢The Research Capacity Development and Funding office develops the research capacity of staff and students. The office disseminates research funding opportunities, manages internal funding, and coordinates the submission of research outputs for subsidy. Dr Tania Brodovcky manages this office.

Read more

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.

 

 

 

Read more

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.

 

 

Read more

Useful links

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.

 

Read more

Health Research Ethics

🔵The Health Research Ethics Office supports two 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.

Read more

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. The unit operates under the stewardship of Dr Nyambura Mwagiru.

Read more

Research Grants Management

Professional support to FMHS researchers with the acquisition and management of grants.

Read more ›

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.
 

RIDS Organogram 2025