Dr Prudence Makhura, Director: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education at the University of Pretoria was the guest speaker at the FABI Monday Morning Meeting on 8 June. Dr Mahkura was appointed to this position earlier this year to help lead the University towards its ThriveUP 2038 strategy unveiled in February 2026. The roadmap’s five key goals include strengthening “impact-driven research and global partnerships”. She explained to the packed seminar room that  her role within that strategy will be to help translating it into action. She provided an illustrated overview of her vision to achieve higher levels of quality research output and raise the University’s rankings. Prof. Fanus Venter, deputy director of FABI led a spirited question and answer session and ended the event offering Dr Makhua FABI’s full support and wished her well in her new position.