Supporting women in scientific pursuits through empowerment in Africa
July 27, 2015
Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma is a 2014 WISA (Women in Science Award) recipient and PhD scholar, currently engaged in research using advanced statistical models to estimate the causal effect of integrated tuberculosis (TB) treatment and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on mortality among patients co-infected with TB and HIV. Considering South Africa’s high TB/HIV co-infection and high mortality rates, this project is aimed at highlighting how much treatment integrating is actually achieved by patients when taking into account different aspect such as non-adherence and non-compliance. Through this WISA award, she has been afforded “a rare opportunity to visit her PhD co-supervisor in Belgium this September.”
She says that “if it were not for TIL Africa’s financial support, none of this would be possible.”
Ms Yende-Zuma’s research in finding effective solutions, among others, will help to preserve lives and give people an opportunity to live long enough to realise their dreams.
Women in Science Awards (WISA) is hosted in August each year as part of events aimed at celebrating achievements by women around the Women’s Day celebration in South Africa. The scholarships target areas in which participation by women is traditionally low, such as agriculture, architecture, astronomy, information sciences, and engineering.
Tata International (TIL) is proud of this association with meritorious women in science. Through its presence in Africa it encourages women in the pursuit of scientific advancement. The organisation has a long-standing partnership with the Department of Science and Technology, South Africa and has been supporting Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) by offering six scholarships (3 for Masters and 3 for Doctorates) every year to young South African women who are studying full time.
For Tata International, such partnerships are of prime important since they reinforce the commitment to improving the lives of the communities around its business operations across geographies. This relationship began five years ago and continues to be strengthened.
