Two academics in the Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences (MITS) Department have been honoured with outstanding reviewer awards by the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences.

The recipients were Diagnostic Radiography lecturers Kathleen Naidoo and Gerhardus Koch

Naidoo, who joined the Department in 2019 said she has been a reviewer for two years and was honoured to receive the award.

“I have reviewed a large number of articles with a special focus on qualitative research in radiography as this is my area of expertise in research. I am very excited to receive this award as the journal is a highly recognised journal in international radiography research publications. This award is only given to four reviewers each year, so it is quite an honour to be acknowledged by the journal for my work.”

Koch, who joined CPUT in 2021, received the award within his first year of working with the journal.

“As a young academic, this award has motivated me to work even harder towards reaching my professional goals. It really is an amazing feeling to be recognised for the work that you do and that from an international, DHET accredited journal. I am happy to have made a difference and to have contributed positively towards my profession.”

Dr Merlisa Kemp, head of the MITS Department, said Naidoo and Koch have done outstanding work.

“I am immensely proud of the MITS staff who, despite the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, still managed to produce approximately 30 research outputs, which include research articles and e-book chapters. The Department also celebrated the achievement of Dr Aladdin Speelman, who was awarded his Doctorate in Radiography in December 2022.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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Three academics have been selected to participate in a prestigious two-year mentorship programme funded by the British Academy.

They are Dr Kathleen Naidoo and Heidi Thomas, both from the Medical Imaging and Therapeutics Sciences Department and Academic Literacy lecturer (Fundani), Dr Vuyo Mntuyedwa.

Strengthening South African writing for academic outputs is a two-year funded mentored writing programme for early career researchers (ECRs), who are working in one of the 26 public universities in South Africa. It is a collaborative programme with partners at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and Stellenbosch University in South Africa and UK partners De Montfort University, The University of Sheffield and The University of Nottingham.

This innovative funded programme will feature academic mentoring throughout the two-year period.

Mntuyedwa said being a British Academy mentorship mentee has come at the perfect time for her, as Vision 2030 encourages internationlisation. “International engagement will broaden my networks and increase the global recognition of my academic contributions. By reviewing papers for local and international publications, I may boost my research output and obtain acknowledgment.”

Thomas said she felt “absolutely honoured” to have been accepted into the programme.

“Knowing that limited spaces were available on this prestigious programme, I took a leap of faith, still having doubts about my chances of acceptance. Being among the chosen few fills me with immense pride. I look forward to joining the dynamic team of young early career researchers, ready to embark on this transformative journey.”

She said the timing of the mentorship programme aligns well with the finalisation of her doctorate thesis “making this acceptance a significant milestone in my academic journey”.

Naidoo said participating in the mentorship programme would allow her to grow as an academic and researcher. “I have been assigned a mentor who is knowledgeable in health sciences and is well published. Her guidance will definitely impact my career in a positive manner. I look forward to the generation of new research ideas and the wonderful collaboration with our new friends from other institutions in South Africa.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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