On 11 September 2025, the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship at the University of Pretoria held its annual postdoctoral research day. The event brought together scholars from various fields to present their work. It provided a platform for emerging researchers to share their projects and connect with academic and global development leaders.

The day included keynote speeches from Maxwell Gomera, the UN Resident Representative in South Africa, and Professor Bernard Erasmus, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

Mr. Gomera highlighted the need for collaborative research to meet the goals of Agenda 2030. He explained that global challenges are interconnected and require interdisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships to develop effective solutions.

Professor Erasmus spoke about the importance of scholarly publication as both an indicator of research success and a method for sharing knowledge. He reinforced the university’s commitment to supporting postdoctoral researchers in their publishing efforts.

The event also featured oral presentations by postdoctoral scholars on a wide range of topics. These sessions encouraged interdisciplinary dialogue and showcased the diversity of research at the Centre.

The day ended with a sense of renewed purpose among participants, followed by a cocktail reception that allowed for further discussion and networking.