THE IMPACT OF MERGERS: THE CASE FOR MERGING AND CONSOLIDATING RESEARCH AT TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Live your life. Create your destiny. Dr Prins Nevhutalu Dr K Dyason, Prof K Kok Tshwane University of Technology

INTRODUCTION The purpose of this paper is to analyse the outcome of the mergers of Pretoria Technikon, North West Technikon and Northern Gauteng Technikon with specific reference to research development and research output. Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships

MERGER TRIGGERS Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Financial survival Creation of Internationally competitive institution Mergers driven by governments

THE SOUTH AFRICAN MERGER CONTEXT POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY. Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) was established from the merger of Pretoria Technikon (a historically white Afrikaans institution) Northern Gauteng Technikon and Northwest Technikon (both historically black institutions). HOLLOW DESIGNATIONS

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships THE CASE FOR RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT AT TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH PRE-MERGER It is important to note that research development in any university is based on the following critical elements: The number of active researchers The number of postgraduate students Commitment of the institution to research development Necessary research infrastructure

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Research Output At the time of the merger in 2003, the subsidised research outputs of the three independent institutions were as follows:

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Postgraduate students Before the merger in 2002, the total student enrollment of the three independent institutions was distributed between undergraduate and postgraduate (masters and doctoral students) as follows

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Staff Qualification Postgraduate qualification (masters and doctoral) degree were not a requirement to be employed as a teaching staff at the technikons. However, since 1994, the technikon staff qualification has improved. Towards the merger of the three technikons in 2002, their staff qualification profile was as follows :

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships RESEARCH POST- MERGER In order to track the development of research at TUT during the merger phase, the paper will profile research indicators from the year of the merger until This is intended to show progress or lack thereof of the improvement of research in the new institution.

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Research Output

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Staff qualification

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Rated Researchers

Postgraduate student enrolment and graduations Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships

WHAT ARE THE UNIQUE INNOVATIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUCCESSES Research Strategy Post-Doctoral Fellowship Research Funding Research Publication as a requirement for fulfillment of doctoral qualification University investment in Research Ongoing Engagements with Researchers Challenges

Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships ? CHALLENGES PROMOTION EXPECTATIONS RECRUITMENT: WANTED. PHDS RESEARCH SPACE AND EQUIPMENT POACHING (STAFF MOVEMENT) STUDENT ACCOMMODATION RESEARCH MANAGEMENT CAPACITY RESEARCH FUNDING (NRF)

Research at TUT is on the upward trajectory. However, the potential is yet to be realised. Continued focus on staff development, funding for research, post-doctoral funding and other subtle interventions appears to be working. The next level of intervention is to recruit more full time students at both masters and doctoral levels. This can be attained through the offering of Bachelor of Technology on a full time basis. The author wishes to thank the Directorate for Research and Innovation and Partnership for their hard work and commitment in supporting the impressive research achievements of TUT Deputy Vise-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Partnerships Conclusion