Transforming Law, Governance and Business: Research for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development was the theme of a College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS) Research Colloquium.
The two-day event brought together academics, scholars, researchers, senior practitioners, graduates and postgraduate students from the College’s various Schools to celebrate the research produced by the CLMS.
Key presenters and their topics were:
- Professor Arthur Mutambara, Director: Institute for the Future of Knowledge, University of Johannesburg: ‘Artificial Intelligence’.
- Professor Gavin George, Deputy Executive Director: Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division at UKZN: ‘Linking Health, Education and Gender Equity to Inclusive Economic Growth’
- Dr Janine Hicks, senior lecturer at UKZN’s School of Law and Academic Leader: Community Engagement: ‘The Significance of Law in the Country’s Transformation Agenda’
- Dr Ajiv Maharaj, Deputy Head: Economic Development Unit at the eThekwini Municipality: ‘Governance’
- Professor Debra Roberts, Co-ordinating Lead Author: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s upcoming Special Report on Climate Change and Cities: ‘Climate Change’.
College Acting Dean of Research Professor Phocenah Nyatanga said the colloquium challenged everyone to reflect on how scholarship responded to urgent issues facing South Africa and the world.
Said Nyatanga “The theme reminds us that our research must go beyond theory; it must drive transformation, advance justice, and improve the lives of communities we serve. To our postgraduate students and emerging scholars, I encourage you to use this platform to engage, learn and showcase your work with confidence. You are the next generation of thought leaders and change agents – and your voices matter in shaping the future of our society and economy.”
The Colloquium was also the venue for the launch of Mutambara’s two books titled: Artificial Intelligence: A Driver of Inclusive Development and Shared Prosperity for the Global South; and Deploying Artificial Intelligence to Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals – Enablers, Drivers and Strategic Framework.
Also on show were books by several College of Law academics:
- Dr Devika Pillay – Sustainability Marketing in Emerging Economies: Conceptual and Empirical Perspectives
- Professor Purshottama Sivanarain Reddy – Local Government and Fiscal Transfers, edited by J Nemec and PS Reddy; and Whistleblowing and Whistle-Blowers in Africa: Promoting Accountable and Ethical Societies, edited By PS Reddy; C Jones; P Pillay and S I Zondi
- Dr Annie Singh – Devenish on Interpretation (Vol 1) and (Vol 2) JUTA and CO LTD. Devenish G (Assisted by Singh, A) 2024
- Professor Mogie Subban – Efficacy of Stakeholder Engagement, Political Accountability, And Local Economic Development (LED) In South Africa. Edited by P Kariuki & M Subban
- Professor Thea van der Westhuizen: Practical Tools for Youth Entrepreneurs: An Applied Approach For South Africa and Beyond. Cham: Springer Nature Cham; and Youth Entrepreneurship: An Ecosystem Theory for Young Entrepreneurs In South Africa And Beyond. Cham: Springer Nature
College Deputy-Vice Chancellor and Head Professor Ernest Khalema said delegates at the colloquium were enriching the dialogue and strengthening the resolve to ensure that UKZN remained a catalyst for transformative scholarship.
“As a College, we stand at the intersection of law, governance, and business, where knowledge creation meets societal transformation,” said Khalema. “Better laws, more ethical business practices, responsive governance and sustainable communities – the colloquium exemplified that spirit in a convergence of disciplines, perspectives, and generations committed to shaping South Africa’s development trajectory.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini