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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

UFS Vice-Chancellor’s vision for 2016: R100 million before September
2016-03-03

Description: Official opening 2016 Tags: Official opening 2016

At the official opening of the University of the Free State (UFS), held on 19 February 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus, Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice Chancellor and Rector, announced that his priority for the year is to raise R100 million. Deserving students who cannot afford to study will receive bursaries through the Student Bursary Fund Campaign.

Staff will also have the opportunity to contribute to the fund.

Prof Jansen thanked staff for their hard work in the midst of what he described as “by far the most difficult year for admissions, registration, accommodation, and student finance”. The heightened expectations of students after FeesMustFall and the limited capacity of the university to meet the desires of students took its toll on staff.

Because of the incredible strain taken by staff members, both emotionally and physically, the Vice-Chancellor gave staff the assurance that they will receive spiritual, emotional, and health support.

“Never before have I seen such dedication from all our staff to hold the university together in these trying times,” Prof Jansen said.

“Because of you, we have a record intake of first-year students into the UFS. We have had about 5 000 students on average in the past three years and, as of today, we are nearing 7000 first-years with the strong possibility that we will enroll several thousand more students, once the new South Campus registrations come on line later this year. By mid-2016, we will exceed our own target of 8 000 students,” said Prof Jansen.

He stipulated that it is not only good for the finances of the university but also for the youth of the country who can access a quality university in central South Africa where the safety of its staff and students is a priority.

Another highlight at this event was announcing Dr Christian Williams from the Department of Anthropology as the winner of the 2016 Distinguished Scholar Book Prize for his book, National liberation in postcolonial southern Africa: a historical ethnography of SWAPO’s exile camps.

Amidst the sad episodes of violence and destruction on campuses around South Africa, Prof Jansen highlighted how the UFS will – through a seven-point approach - manage the university during these difficult times:
1.    Doing everything within our capacity to meet the needs of staff and students
2.    Upholding the right to peaceful protest in our democracy
3.    Acting swiftly against any unlawful actions by students or workers
4.    Upholding the authority of the unions (only UVPERSU and NEHAWU)
5.    Finding humane and just solutions to the problem of outsourcing
6.    Not placing the UFS at financial risk by making irresponsible decisions
7.    Maintaining an open door policy.

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