University of Zululand R&I
Divisional strategic plan — DVC promoted to Vice-Chancellor
The DVC Research & Innovation needed a divisional strategic plan to lift research outputs, strengthen NRF positioning, and diversify research income — without losing sight of operational realities in the grants office and faculty support structures.
The office had to articulate a credible path for the next planning cycle: where to invest capacity, how to sequence initiatives, and how to connect divisional priorities to broader institutional strategy and funder expectations.
Gosiame Consulting developed a focused Research & Innovation strategic plan that included:
- Research capacity audit and stakeholder sense-check across key faculties and support units
- Funding landscape analysis to prioritise routes to income and partnerships
- Researcher development pathways aligned to rating and output goals
- Strategies for diversifying research income beyond single funding sources
- Clear goals, milestones, and accountability framing for divisional leadership
The engagement was modular and evidence-led so the DVC office could adopt recommendations in phased, affordable steps.
The plan was delivered and embedded as the division's forward roadmap. The DVC Research & Innovation has since been promoted to Vice-Chancellor of the university — a signal of continuity between divisional excellence and institutional leadership.
Outcome: A single, Council-ready narrative for the R&I office with practical workstreams executives could fund, staff, and measure over time.