Annual Research Report 2020

12 management, providing online research methodology resourc- es, hosting check-in sessions and referring students in need of psychosocial support through Student Affairs. • A comprehensive academic profiling survey was conducted with the aim of categorising academics into specific groupings for a targeted programmatic approach in capacity development. • Over 19 capacity training initiatives were hosted which are highlighted in the Research Support section. • Through the UCDG, academic staff were supported to en- hance their qualifications. In addition, support was provided for research lifecycle processes such as article processing charges, language editing, lecturer replacement, and confer- ence attendance. • The onboarding and registration of SPU’s first postdoctoral fellow was supported. • Various research strategic partnerships and grants were supported. • A successful UCDG staff development proposal for 2021 to 2023 was made. • The management of the nGAP and Future Professors Program­ mes was supported. • The newly constituted university-wide Research Think Tank was supported. • The Research Office was involved in developing and revising various policies and guidelines. The Research Office is proud of these achievements and to have persevered through its first year of existence; a year that ushered in a global pandemic with various lockdowns that threw many sectors into disarray. This first Annual Research Report is testa- ment to the resilience shown by students, academics, and support staff in ensuring that research and RM continue to thrive at SPU in challenging and uncertain times.