University of the Witwatersrand joins hands with University of Edinburgh for doctoral training centre

The project is part of a broader partnership between the UoE and Mastercard Foundation under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. More details about that partnership are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website.

“Wits University is pleased to be contributing to this incredible partnership that will go a long way towards advancing teaching and learning and knowledge creation on the continent. We look forward to working with our partners to effect real change in society through this unique programme,” says Ruksana Osman, Professor of Higher Education and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University).

Wits will work with the UoE on the establishment of a collaborative doctoral training centre. The centre will enable at least 50 African researchers to obtain a Masters in Research in Sustainability, 30 of whom will have the opportunity to continue pursuing a PhD jointly supervised by Wits and the University of Edinburgh.

“Developing global challenge-focused research capacity is critical for Africa, and for the world. This programme in partnership with University of Witwatersrand will provide cutting-edge research training for talented researchers from across the continent and act as a catalyst to ensure that African researchers are at the forefront of addressing some of our most profound challenges,” adds Professor James Smith, Professor of African and Development Studies and Vice-Principal International, the University of Edinburgh.

The University of Edinburgh is a strategic partner to Wits, with similar values and shared academic and research programmes.