I’m always inspired by initiatives that genuinely make a difference, and the renewal of the Black Academics Advancement Programme (BAAP) is one of them! The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) have reaffirmed their commitment to transforming South Africa’s academic landscape by extending this vital programme until 2028.
For those who don’t know, BAAP was launched in 2018 to support Black South African academics and academics with disabilities in obtaining their PhDs and advancing their postdoctoral training. It’s a game-changer—offering funding for up to three years, with PhD candidates receiving a maximum of R300,000 per year and postdoctoral researchers getting up to R400,000 annually.
Since its inception, the programme has empowered 347 academics across 26 universities, helping them not just complete their PhDs but also gain crucial postdoctoral experience. This initiative directly contributes to South Africa’s National Development Plan 2030 goal of ensuring that 75% of university academic staff hold PhD qualifications by 2030. Given that back in 2009, only a third of full-time academic staff had PhDs, the importance of this programme cannot be overstated.
Dr Gugu Moche, Acting Deputy CEO at NRF, emphasised that this renewed agreement is a major step towards supporting Black researchers. And I couldn’t agree more! Having more qualified academics means less strain on postgraduate supervisors, who, over the years, have seen their student load increase dramatically.
Konehali Gugushe, Head of Social Investing at FREF, highlighted how this programme is about more than just funding—it’s about fostering diversity, sparking innovation, and breaking down barriers in academia. She reinforced FREF’s commitment to strategic partnerships like this one, which drive meaningful social impact and advance Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE).
I love seeing big players invest in quality education, research, and skills development. It’s initiatives like BAAP that pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative future. Here’s to more Black academics leading the way in research and higher education.