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21 July 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Riaz-Seedat
Prof Riaz Seedat, who enrolled for a PhD through the USDP, wishes to create ear, nose, and throat knowledge through his research that is more relevant to the South African setting.

Prof Riaz Seedat is Professor and Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the University of the Free State (UFS) and in the Free State Department of Health at the Universitas Academic Hospital. It is in this position where he has the opportunity to treat patients, teach students, and conduct research.

As one of the ten academics enrolled in the University Staff Development Programme (USDP), Prof Seedat forms part of the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), which seeks to transform academic expertise in the field of global health.

The UFS Office for International Affairs administers the programme, which offers an enriching journey for the group of academics from the University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of Venda (Univen).

In an interview, he revealed the importance of research focused on ENT cases in developing countries. 

How has your background shaped the life and academic path you have chosen? 

During my internship, I had the opportunity to work in ENT. The field sparked great interest in me, so I decided to specialise in it. 

During my training, it became apparent to me that much of the information in the literature was based on research and practices in developed countries and did not reflect the situation in developing countries, where there is a high burden of infectious diseases and presentation of patients with pathology at an advanced stage. My research has been focused on providing a developing country perspective of otorhinolaryngology, particularly with regard to infectious diseases and allergy in the field, creating ENT knowledge that is more relevant to the South African setting. 

What drew you to the USDP project’s call? 

The USDP provides me with the chance to complete my doctorate on recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a disease that is characterised by recurrent wart-like growths on the surface of the vocal cords or tissue around the vocal cords.

In our context, this affects mostly children and there is a relatively high prevalence of this condition here in the Free State. Research through this PhD will expand knowledge on the diagnosis and management of the condition. 

Please tell us more about your research. 

I have identified that in South Africa, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, which is caused by the human papillomavirus, occurs more commonly in children than in Europe, where mostly adults are affected. In future, I would like my research to find factors that can help to identify which patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis will develop more severe disease, in order to better treat them. 

I have also done work on infectious diseases such as HIV and ENT, describing the impact of HIV in the different ENT conditions we see. 

With regard to allergic rhinitis, we have studied the impact of the condition on patients’ quality of life and are identifying the most frequent allergens present in our setting here in the Free State.

Did the pandemic impact your research?

Yes, it did. Being a full-time clinician for the Free State Department of Health meant that we had to dedicate more time towards managing the pandemic. This has affected patient care and the research we do on the patients. Many patients could not access healthcare facilities because of the lockdown, impacting their treatment, as well as research being carried out. 

Global health is one of the critical issues for the future of the human species, especially in Africa, where both infectious and non-communicable diseases threaten development. What will your project contribute to the field? 

Many of the conditions I am researching are as a result of infectious diseases. Unfortunately, these are conditions that are often neglected as they occur mainly in developing countries. The research will positively impact society through the care and treatment of patients with the condition. 

What are your future career plans? How will a PhD qualification assist you in reaching these goals?

A PhD will help me obtain a better understanding of research content and methodologies. I believe that a PhD will also equip me with the knowledge to better supervise individuals who wish to further their academic careers and do their own PhDs. 

What is your advice for aspiring PhD candidates?

I would advise someone who wishes to complete a PhD to work on a topic that they have a great interest in, because it is a task that will take much of your time. 

News Archive

Africa still yearns for democracy says academic
2009-05-26

Leading academic Prof Achille Mbembe (pictured), says that in spite of substantial changes the African continent is still yearning for democracy.

Prof Mbembe was delivering a lecture commemorating Africa Day at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

He said many Africans feel that democracy and the law, including the paramount law – the constitution itself - have betrayed them.

“Many have a feeling that they have not yet lived fully or fulfilled their lives, that they might not or might never fulfill their lives.”

Prof Mbembe, who originates from Cameroon and has been living in South Africa for nine years , said that what struck him about this country in this democratic era was that many people are still yearning for a return to the past.

He said many black South Africans know that the advent of democracy has not provided them with the kind of life they hoped for.

“If anything, democracy has rendered life even more complex than before,” he said.

“South Africa is still a nation where too many black people possess almost nothing.

“Real freedom means freedom from race,” he said. “The kind of freedom that South Africa is likely to enjoy because this nation will have built a society, a culture and a civilization in which the colour of one’s skin will be superfluous in the overall calculus of dignity, opportunity, rights and obligations,” Prof Mbembe said.

“This freedom will originate, purely and simply, from our being human.”

Prof Mbembe is currently a Research Professor in History and Politics at the University of the Witwatersrand in the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research. He has written extensively on African history and politics.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt.stg@ufs.ac.za  
26 May 2009
 

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