Research Capacity Development – Africa Vision Research Institute

Post-Graduate Students

The Postgraduate Recruitment programme by AVRI provides leadership, guidance and facilitative support in the recruitment of high-calibre postgraduate students from countries in and across Africa. A particular emphasis is placed on supporting the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s strategic priority of expanding the postgraduate research student community. Students will be informed about AVRI’s role in providing sound technical support and advice from inception to completion of their research endeavours.

*AVRI currently boasts 16 PhD and 17 Masters Students (ophthalmologists and optometrists), including students from India and Pakistan (Appendix 1: Postgraduate student topics).

Find out MORE

PhD Students

Masters

Postgraduate Students Reviews and Capacity Building Workshops

Based on funding, AVRI provides holistic support to postgraduate students; support which not only develops the students individually, but also develops the human resources in their countries of origin. The Review Week sessions formed part of this support as the students were given further direction and guidance from a panel of research experts on how to proceed with their research and overcome any challenges they may be experiencing. The postgraduate research reviews are attended by a panel of researchers from AVRI, and academics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and other affiliated universities.

All students are subjected to a one-on-one review session with the research supervisor panel and are provided with detailed comments and audio recording of the session/s.

Research Support to Partner Organisations

General support is provided and will continue to be provided to partner organisations. It is envisaged that this will form an important part of AVRI’s research support functions in future, as we become collaborators on more projects.

Layout and content of conference abstracts, posters and presentations

Assistance with writing protocols and proposals

Sourcing publications and documents for research projects

Developing Research Capacity of Staff

Mentoring is a means of providing structured support to a member of staff in the early stages of their skills development. The purpose of mentoring is to help a less experienced person grow to become more effective now and in the future. Mentoring help often involves passing on knowledge, tips and good practices, opening doors for the individual and counselling. In this regard, AVRI focuses on mentoring in the form of teaching and sharing knowledge to staff and collaborating partners, researchers and students that require assistance in order to develop to their potential.