The award recognises substantial growth over a period in research management capacity, research outputs and research funding, initial success in innovation and technology transfer, the establishment of research entities, and the broad-based professionalisation of research management at a university in the SADC region.
The SARIMA Excellence Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations that advance research and innovation management across Africa. The award highlights UMP’s progress in developing its Research Management Office and strengthening its research support framework.
SARIMA brings together research and innovation management practitioners to strengthen these disciplines and institutional capabilities across the SADC region. The association also provides thought leadership and advocacy, promotes and facilitates best practices, and champions efforts to build and strengthen institutional and individual capacity and capabilities.
Growth in Research Management
The UMP Research Management Office was established in 2015 with two staff members and grew to eight by 2026, reflecting the University’s growing commitment to research management and institutional development.
Through the Research Management Office, UMP has recorded growth in research outputs and external funding, including a 45.09% increase in the 2024 awarded DHET research output units, on external research grants; a 30.22 % increase in 2024, and a further 15% increase in 2025.
The University also secured 38 internationalisation agreements across four continents, initiated two Research Chairs in 2025, and gained inclusion in major international programmes focused on food security and food systems.
“This is a significant achievement that reflects the collective effort, commitment, true leadership, and dedication of the entire research support ecosystem at UMP, including the faculty leadership of the Deans, the Head of Schools, researchers, and support staff,” said Professor Aldo Stroebel, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation.
UMP previously received the NRF Accelerator Award in 2023 and the CEO Special Recognition Award in 2024 for advancement in research management.
The latest recognition acknowledges the continued development of research management at UMP and the collective contribution of the University’s research community and support structures towards strengthening its research and innovation environment.
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