UHI can move any mountain
Researchers in Perth will take on students from South Africa in a bid to develop mountain research in the country.
Ten new doctoral students from the University of the Free State and the University of Venda in South Africa are to be supervised by experts from the Centre for Mountain Studies, based at Perth College UHI, as they complete their PhDs on the sustainable development of mountainous regions and biosphere reserves.
This comes after the Perth academics were given £264,000 from the British Council and the South African Department of Higher Education and Training to help mentor the students.
Mountains are vital for the production of water in the droughtprone region of southern Africa.
With projects on the impact of climate change and population growth, experts have indicated the area’s mountains will become increasingly important for water security - despite this, they are among the least studied parts of South Africa.
The aim of this four year project is to increase South African mountain research and develop future research capacity at the two universities.
Professor Martin Price, director of the Centre for Mountain Studies, said: “The Afrommontane Research Unit at the University of the Free State is becoming the leader for research in the mountains of southern Africa.
“I am glad that my years of involvement with the unit are now leading to stronger interactions between our universities, which will enhance research capacity in South Africa and provide University of the Highlands and Islands staff with opportunities for collaborative research.”
This project will also have a particular focus on increasing the number of young, female and black researchers at both the University of the Free State and the University of Venda.
Speaking about the funding award, Michael Rayner, dean of research at the University of the Highlands and Islands, said:“This is a tremendous opportunity for each of the three universities involved in this special collaboration.
“We will be able to bring together doctoral candidates and active researchers to address highly important matters for institutions like ours and the largely remote and rural locations in which we operate in our respective countries.”