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Rhodes University Research Report 2015

- Rhodes University, Gillitt, Tarryn, Goba, Busi, Macgregor, Jill, Roberts, Jaine, Dore, Sally

Authors: Rhodes University , Gillitt, Tarryn , Goba, Busi , Macgregor, Jill , Roberts, Jaine , Dore, Sally
Date: 2015
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59298 , vital:27546
Description: From Foreword by Dr Sizwe Mabizela: A further feature of research at Rhodes University has long been international collaborations, many of them responsible for raising the international competitiveness and voice of scholarship involving Rhodes academics and students. In March 2015, Rhodes University became a founder member of the African Research Universities’ Alliance (ARUA), launched at the African Higher Education Summit in Senegal. Leading universities with strong programmes of research and Postgraduate training formed the network of 16 institutions, which aim to bring together intersecting and complementary strengths in the interest of building critical mass in the key development priorities of the African continent. , A publication of the Rhodes University Research Office, compiled and edited by Tarryn Gillitt, Busi Goba, Patricia Jacob, Jill Macgregor and Jaine Roberts. Design & Layout: Sally Dore.
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Rhodes University Research Report 2014

- Rhodes University, Roberts, Jaine, Gillitt, Tarryn, Mantolo, Thumeka, Macgregor, Jill, Dore, Sally

Authors: Rhodes University , Roberts, Jaine , Gillitt, Tarryn , Mantolo, Thumeka , Macgregor, Jill , Dore, Sally
Date: 2014
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/59309 , vital:27547
Description: From Foreword by Dr Sizwe Mabizela: In the year under review, individual academics continued to receive widespread recognition for their work. Particularly noteworthy were the accolades that Distinguished Professor Tebello Nyokong continued to attract. In 2014 she was chosen as one of South Africa’s 21 Icons. Professor Nyokong was also appointed by United Nations Secretary- General Ban Ki-Moon to the High-Level Panel on Technology Bank For Least Developed Countries. Money cannot buy the kind of positive profile that Professor Nyokong brings to Rhodes. Professor Janice Limson was awarded the DST/NRF SARChI Chair in Science Communication. This brought to 11 the number of SARChI Chairs awarded to Rhodes University. Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka was appointed as the inaugural Director of the new Postgraduate Studies Centre, to lead and manage the provision of additional support for enhancing the quality, quantity, and equity of our Postgraduate population. , A publication of the Rhodes University Research Office, compiled and edited by Jaine Roberts, Tarryn Gillitt, Thumeka Mantolo, Patricia Jacob and Jill Macgregor. Design and Layout: Sally Dore
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China's African FDI safari : opportunistic exploitation or muturally beneficial to all participants

- Dreier, Tina, Rhodes University

Authors: Dreier, Tina , Rhodes University
Date: 2013 , 2013-04-10
Subjects: Africa -- Foreign economic relations -- China , China -- Foreign economic relations -- Africa , Investments, Foreign -- China , Foreign direct investment
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
Identifier: vital:929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001455 , Africa -- Foreign economic relations -- China , China -- Foreign economic relations -- Africa , Investments, Foreign -- China
Description: When implemented within a favourable legislative framework, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) can produce domestic growth-enhancing spillovers in host countries. Other potential positive effects include the provision of investment capital, the creation of local employment and the transfer of sophisticated technology or advanced knowledge. African nations in particular have been historically reliant on externally-provided funds. Prevailing low income levels, marginal savings rates and the absence of functioning financial markets necessary to provide local start-up capital continue to keep Africa reliant on foreign inflows. Considering China’s increasing financial commitments to Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) over the last decade, this study examines the state of current Sino-African investment relationships. Specific attention is paid to the outcomes of this strategic bilateral alliance in order to determine whether or not a mutually beneficial investment relationship has evolved. The distinct nature and structure of, the motivation behind and the most significant determinants of Chinese FDI to SSA are all analysed in accordance with traditional FDI theories. A case study approach is used to establish whether China’s contemporary interest in SSA differs from historical investments and to also investigate country-specific commonalities and differences. Of particular relevance to SSA are resource-backed Chinese loans that finance major infrastructure projects in host nations. Interestingly, a lot of the Sino-African investment packages resemble similar deals struck between China and Japan in the 1970s. The results of this study indicate that China’s investment motives seem more diverse than initially expected. Resource-seeking, profit-seeking and market access-seeking reasons appear to be the most important motives. After establishing the Top- Ten recipients of Chinese FDI in SSA, these nations are then classified into three major categories: resource-, oil- or agricultural-rich nations. Undiversified resource- or oil-rich economies are found to have secured the largest shares of Chinese FDI. This study suggests that China’s contemporary “African Safari” is an unconventional way of providing financial assistance. Rather than solely supplying FDI, China finances a diverse mix of instruments, the most important being concessional loans, export credits, zero-interest loans and the establishment of Special Economic Zones. A profound difference to traditional Western investment packages is China’s non-interference approach. Accordingly, Beijing not only refrains from intervening in host countries’ domestic affairs but also refuses to attach formal conditionalties to its loans. China’s “financial safari” into Africa has produced many positive as well as negative effects in host countries. Nevertheless, it would seem that the positive effects outweigh the negative and China’s FDI could contribute to sustainable development in SSA
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Rhodes University Research Report 2012

- Rhodes University, Roberts, Jaine, Connan, Verna, Mantolo, Thumeka, Macgregor, Jill, Jacob, Patricia

Authors: Rhodes University , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Mantolo, Thumeka , Macgregor, Jill , Jacob, Patricia
Date: 2012
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:567 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011985
Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to grow in overall accredited research outputs in 2012, and in other forms of scholarship which enhance the intellectual space of the university. During the graduation ceremonies that followed the 2012 academic year, 2 288 students earned new qualifications. A record 948 students or 41 percent graduated with postgraduate degrees. We also celebrated a new University record of 63 PhD graduates, a wonderful achievement for the smallest university in the country. Our Science Faculty was a particularly noteworthy contributor to the postgraduate numbers, with 35 PhD graduates, 83 Master’s graduates and 132 honours graduates. The University’s Enrolment Plan outlines our intention of becoming a more postgraduate university, and our overall strategy is to enhance our contribution to knowledge production through research and scholarship. Rhodes is well-positioned for such a trajectory, and we look to strengthening our capacity to serve society in this way by striving to provide our academics with effective research support. In the latest Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Ministerial Report on National Research Outputs, Rhodes University is listed as having the third most favourable research output rate per capita (the accepted norm for measuring efficiency of investment in the research domain) in the South African university system, and the second highest percentage of academic staff with PhDs (56 percent). Other studies show that Rhodes has the top PhD graduation rate of South African Universities, and very good postgraduate throughput rates overall. We continue to give special attention to identifying potential new postgraduate and research niche areas and programmes, and to developing the appropriate institutional arrangements to effectively support larger numbers of Honours, Masters and Doctoral students, and further enhance their academic and social experiences. The audited result of our DHET submission of accredited research outputs for 2012 has not yet been received at the time of writing, so exact success rates in book and conference submissions are not yet known. These are the smaller components of our overall accredited outputs (in the previous year, books and accredited conference proceedings each contributed 7 percent of our total accredited publishing output, while journals contributed 86 percent). In 2012, Rhodes submitted 46.82 book and book chapter units for consideration (up by 33 percent on the 2011 submission), and 32.04 accredited conference proceeding weighted units (down by 8.6 percent on the 2011 submission, which in turn had been up 46.8 percent on the previous year’s submission).Year-on-year variance on the relatively small submission base in these categories is to be expected. The big component of Rhodes’ publication output, our journal publications, grew by 13.2 percent on the 2011 level to 350.47 units (the previous year has seen a 6 percent increase in this category), maintaining Rhodes’ position amongst the most research productive institutions in the South African Higher Education system. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure is that 90 percent of Journal outputs (the highest proportion in the sector) appear in internationally accredited journal indices. Accredited outputs from thesis-based PhD and Masters graduates rose by 4.9 percent in 2012 to a new high for Rhodes (2011’s figure had grown by 15.4 percent over 2010, which in turn had grown by 35.8 percent over 2009). I add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2012, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who play a crucial role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submissions.
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Exchange rate behavior in the cases of the Zambian Kwacha and Malawian Kwacha : is there misalignment?

- Magwizi, Brenda Thandekha, Rhodes University

Authors: Magwizi, Brenda Thandekha , Rhodes University
Date: 2011
Subjects: Foreign exchange rates -- Zambia , Foreign exchange rates -- Malawi , International relations -- Case studies -- Zambia , International relations -- Case studies -- Malawi
Language: English
Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
Identifier: vital:974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002708
Description: The exchange rate is the price of one currency against another currency or currencies of a group of countries. Real exchange rates are important because they show the external competitiveness of a country‟s economy. Thus, when the exchange rate of a country is misaligned, this will affect its trade, production and the welfare of people. This study analysed macroeconomic determinants of the real exchange rate and dynamic adjustment of the real exchange rate as a result of shocks to these determinants. The study also determined the extent of misalignment of the real exchange rate in Malawi and Zambia and identified variables that contributed to it. Such information is important to policy makers. Quarterly data were used for both countries from 1980:1-2008:4. The literature review identified those variables that determine the exchange rate and these include government consumption, foreign aid, net foreign assets, commodity prices, terms of trade, domestic credit, openness and the Balassa Samuelson effect (technological progress). To determine the long-run relationship between the exchange rate and its determinants, we employed the Johansen approach and the Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). For robustness check on the long-run and shortrun effects of determinants on the exchange rate, variance decomposition and impulse response analyses were used. Results in the study show that in Malawi for both models, an increase in LAID, LGCON and LTOT resulted in real exchange rate depreciation and increases in LDC, NFA and LNEER resulted in an appreciation. In Zambia, increases in LAID, LGCON, LOPEN and LTOT caused the real exchange rate to depreciate while increases in LDC, NFA and LCOPPER led to an appreciation. Lagged LREER and LNEER were found to have short run effects on the equilibrium exchange rate for Malawi and lagged LCOPPER and LDC for Zambia. Periods of exchange rate misalignment were found in both countries. It was also found that the coefficient of speed of adjustment in Malawi in models 1 and 2 indicate that 11% and 27% of the variation in the real exchange rate from its equilibrium adjust each quarter respectively. The speed of adjustment for Zambia in both models was 45% and 47% respectively, higher than that of Malawi. Foreign aid has proven to be important in exchange rate misalignment in both countries, though this was not really expected in the case of Zambia. Given these results, it may be of interest to policy makers to understand which variables impact most on the exchange rate and how misalignment due to these determinants can be minimised.
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Rhodes University Research Report 2011

- Rhodes University, Rhodes University Research Office, Roberts, Jaine, Connan, Verna, Dore, Sally

Authors: Rhodes University , Rhodes University Research Office , Roberts, Jaine , Connan, Verna , Dore, Sally
Date: 2011
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:566 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011981
Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University continued to show a gratifying and steady increase in overall accredited research outputs in 2011, and individual increases were experienced in all categories of output. Overall accredited units increased to 639.6 (a 12.7% increase on 2010), with a similar percentage increase in the DHET per capita output figure, which kept Rhodes in the position of third most productive university in South Africa in terms of accredited research. 51% of the outputs were due to publications, 25% to PhD graduations, and 24% to Masters graduations by thesis. The PhD contribution represented a record year, and a 30% increase over the number graduating in the preceding year. Our journal output, (which accounts for 86% of our total accredited publishing output for higher education subsidy purposes) grew by 5.9% from the 2010 level (to 309.61 units in 2011). The previous year had seen a 3% decline in this category. Coupled with Rhodes’ high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure was that 90% of journal outputs (by far the highest proportion of universities in the sector) appeared in international accredited journals. Our output from accredited conference proceedings, (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) grew by 3.5% to 24.22 units - from a small base where year-on-year variance in either direction is common. The book outputs (which in 2011 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) increased by 162% - again from a small base (moving up to 25.02 units), where year-on-year variance is expected. This category had seen a negative growth of 60.6% in the previous year. add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators, partners and students who contributed to the excellent accredited research results of 2011, as well as generated the many forms of scholarship that are not counted in the accreditation exercise, but which contribute much to the rich intellectual space that is Rhodes. I also thank all of the administrators who played a critical role in preparing the university’s meticulous audited submission. , A publication of the Rhodes Research Office, compiled and edited by Jaine Roberts and Verna Connan. Design and Layout: Sally Dore.
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Rhodes University Research Report 2010

- Rhodes University, Roberts, Jaine

Authors: Rhodes University , Roberts, Jaine
Date: 2010
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:565 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011968
Description: From Introduction: In 2010, the total subsidy earning accredited research output count for Rhodes University of 615.3 units represents an increase of 9% on the previous year. By far the major contributor to this growth was the significant increase in both PhD (37.5% up on 2009) and Masters by thesis students (34.5% up on 2009). Rhodes contributed 3.3% of all accredited research output in the public higher education sector in 2010 (0.1% up on 2009). With 1.9% of academic staff in the system, Rhodes retained its place amongst the top three most productive universities as measured by accredited publications per academic. Rhodes exceeds the DHET research output norm for universities by 53%. In 2010, the total accredited publication output count for Rhodes University of 325.33 units represented a decline over 2009 of 7.3 percent. This followed two years of steep growth during which accredited research publication output grew by 28%. Accredited publication output for 2010 consisted mainly of journals at 89.9%, with conference proceedings at 7.2% and books and book chapters at 2.9% making far smaller contributions. This mix is roughly in line with the sector as a whole. It has been recognised that books and book chapters are underappreciated in relation to journals, and recommendations to increase the weighted points that they attract as proposed by ASSAf1 are awaiting approval by the DHET. and book chapters submitted, because the hurdle of independent reviewing is not always met by the publishing avenues chosen by authors. The University has become increasingly reliant on research funding in recent years as a larger proportion of its budget, and attention at university council level is being given to ensuring that appropriate systems and support structures for researchers are in place. I add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who contributed to the excellent research results of 2010. , A Publication of the Rhodes Research Office,compiled and edited by Jaine Roberts
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Rhodes University Research Report 2009

- Rhodes University

Authors: Rhodes University
Date: 2009
Language: English
Type: Text
Identifier: vital:564 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011966
Description: [From Introduction] Rhodes University maintained and improved its track record of research performance in 2009, a very pleasing trend given that it came directly after a large increase of accredited publication outputs in 2008 of 20.3%, and a flattening of the growth curve was expected. The increase in accredited publication units for 2009 of 6.4% (from 330.02 units to 350.99 units) is closer to the growth rate for the sector as a whole. This continued increase in research publications was achieved against the backdrop of substantial financial constraints and changes in the funding programmes of the National Research Foundation, a primary source of funding for researchers at Rhodes, which produced significant discontinuities in funding for several established researchers. Our journal output, (which accounts for 86% of our total accredited publishing output for higher education subsidy purposes) grew by 5.1% from 2008 to 2009 (from 287.82 units to 302.64 units). The previous year’s growth was 11.3% in this category. Coupled with Rhodes’s high volume of accredited journal outputs in relation to its size, a very pleasing quality measure was that 81.6% of Journal outputs (amongst the highest proportions in the sector) appeared in international accredited journals. Our output from accredited conference proceedings, (which in 2009 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) shrunk by 27.5% (from 33.22 units down to 24.07 units) from 2008 to 2009 – but from a small base where more year-on-year variance can be expected. This category had grown by 202% in the preceding year, so the 2009 reduction cannot be taken to represent a trend. The book outputs (which in 2009 amounted to 7% of our total accredited publishing output) increased by 170% – again from a very small base (from 8.89 units up to 24.28 units), where year-on-year variance is expected. This category had grown by 91% in the previous year, but had seen a negative growth of 83% in the year before that. The 2009 growth in this category is a combination of increased submissions, and an improved acceptance rate. The staff responsible for this process in the Research Office, and the researchers who made the submissions, are to be warmly congratulated. I add my warm thanks and congratulations to all of our researchers, funders, collaborators and partners who contributed to the excellent research results of 2009.
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