The winners were congratulated by Professor Kovin
 Naidoo (l) and Ms Leigh Gunkel-Keuler, Director for
 Pfizer’s Public Affairs and Communications (r).

Young health scientists completing their undergraduate studies at UKZN were lauded for presenting outstanding research at the annual symposium which was held by the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and funded by Pfizer – the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company.

Adjudicators listened to stimulating presentations from student groups that had competed with peers at the discipline level and made it to the Pfizer-CHS symposium. Winning groups in the categories of clinically-based, community-based and laboratory-based research would proceed to compete against other institutions of higher learning at the National Pfizer Research Symposium – also to be held at UKZN.

A keynote address delivered by Professor Kovin Naidoo, Associate Professor of Optometry at UKZN and Director for Global Programme at the Brien Holden Vision Institute, elicited that research was a powerful tool for creating positive change in the lives of others.

A firm believer in the continent’s intellectual wealth, Naidoo said researchers were at the coalface of helping Africa meet its objectives; saying it was essential for every researcher to be able to substantiate any claim they make.