The main focus of this programme is to equip junior staff members, master's and PhD students with knowledge and skills on a personal and professional level (amongst other components) to develop in their role as researchers contributing to the publication rate increase at the UFS. Academic publication outputs have been repeatedly found to be low, despite compelling personal and professional reasons to publish (McGrail, Rickard & Jones, 2006).To improve research output, the academic and intellectual quality of the research environment is of paramount importance for postgraduate students and staff members.