UL, UNIVEN Biennial Research Conference champions better health for all

The Biennial Research Conference serves as a platform for UL and UNIVEN health sciences researchers to explore avenues for advancing the healthcare fraternity

 By Keletso Makgopa | ulpublications@ul.ac.za

Through its Faculty of Health Sciences, the University of Limpopo (UL) continues to champion research-based solutions toward improving public health and reducing the global burden of diseases

In partnership with the University of Venda (UNIVEN), UL co-hosted the 3rd Biennial Research Conference, focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By fostering innovation and collaboration, UL strives to find solutions that directly impact the well-being of ordinary people.

The conference, themed Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 by 2030: Facilitating and Constraining Dynamics in the African Context while Promoting Health and Well-being’, showcased 127 research abstracts, including 86 oral and 41 poster presentations. All these contributions had a common goal of promoting health within communities, addressing challenges, and sharing scientific insights.

Participants engaged in discussions on the factors that facilitate or hinder progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), particularly within the African context. Key challenges identified include limited access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations, inadequate health infrastructure, medical supply shortages, and global health crises, all of which are exacerbated by low health literacy and awareness.

Prof Lufuno Makhado, Associate Professor at UNIVEN, delivering a keynote address on the ‘Application of Implementation Science and Dissemination to Achieve the SDGs’

Prof Lufuno Makhado, Associate Professor at UIVEN, delivered a keynote address on ‘Application of Implementation Science and Dissemination to Achieve the SDGs’. He explained that Implementation Science focuses on translating research into policy and practice, emphasising the importance of context-specific approaches. “The SDGs represent global aspirations to address urgent challenges by 2030, and effective implementation of evidence-based interventions is key to achieving these goals,” Prof Makhado told the researchers.

 

Lerato Malupe, Master of Science in Medical Science at UL, explains that her research involved extracting two Cannabis sativa strains using methanol and water

 

 

Lerato Malupe, a Master of Science in Medical Science candidate at UL, presented her research on ‘Assessment of Antimicrobial Activity and Genetic Diversity of Cannabis Sativa at the University of Limpopo’. Her study looked at the ability of Cannabis sativa to fight bacteria and found it was especially effective against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). “This research offers a starting point for creating Cannabis-based treatments for infections that don’t respond well to drugs,” Malupe explained, highlighting the need to protect the genetic variety of Cannabis sativa.

Fikela Shilubane, a Master of Science candidate in Nutrition at UNIVEN, presented his research on “The Prevalence and Correlates of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus among Adults aged 40 years and above in Thulamela Local Municipality.” Shilubane’s study focuses on the rising prevalence of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, which are leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. “The study involved a cross-sectional survey, with participants screened and interviewed for both conditions, contributing to a deeper understanding of chronic illness risk factors in rural communities.”

Prof Tebogo Mothiba, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, urged delegates to share knowledge and collaborate, stressing its vital role in improving healthcare and tackling challenges

Prof Tebogo Mothiba, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, emphasised the role of higher education institutions in driving scientific discovery, stating, “Higher education institutions are the bedrock of knowledge creation and innovation. Our research must not only contribute to academic discourse but also address the real-world challenges faced by our communities. It is through rigorous and impactful research that we can make meaningful strides in promoting healthy living within the society, thereby reducing the burden of disease, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.”

The conference highlighted the importance of research in tackling public health challenges and underscored the critical role of higher education institutions in advancing scientific knowledge and improving health outcomes.

Students honoured with awards for their outstanding presentations across six categories: undergraduate oral, undergraduate poster, postgraduate oral, postgraduate poster, staff oral, and staff poster