“As Women’s Month begins, VUT celebrates Mrs Shereen Klink’s achievement of earning the prestigious Research Management Professional (RMP) designation, recognising her excellence and leadership in research management.”
04 August 2026 | Story by: Qhawekazi Memani | Picture: Keitumetse Mokgope
5 minutes read time.
As South Africa marks Women’s Month, the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) celebrates the achievements of women whose expertise continues to strengthen higher education, research and innovation. Among them is Mrs Shereen Klink of the University’s Research Directorate, who has been awarded the prestigious Research Management Professional (RMP) designation, an achievement that recognises excellence, leadership and a sustained commitment to advancing research management.
For Mrs Klink, receiving the news was both humbling and rewarding. “I was absolutely delighted,” she says. “It was a very proud moment because it recognised many years of hard work and commitment to research management. I also felt grateful that my experience and contribution to the profession had been acknowledged by my peers.”
The RMP designation is a professional recognition awarded to experienced research management practitioners who demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ethical standards expected within the profession. It also reflects a commitment to excellence and continuous professional development, while helping to establish research management as a recognised career path within higher education.
For Mrs Klink, pursuing the designation was a natural progression in a career built on lifelong learning. “I’ve always believed that learning doesn’t stop once you’ve earned a qualification,” she explains. “Throughout my career, I’ve worked in research management because I enjoy creating an environment where researchers can succeed. Applying for the RMP designation felt like the next logical step in my own professional journey and an opportunity to benchmark my experience against recognised standards.”
The application process required candidates to provide extensive evidence of their qualifications, professional experience and contributions to research management, while also reflecting on their professional growth and demonstrating the application of best practices across various aspects of the discipline.
Mrs Klink’s successful application reflected more than a decade of dedicated service at VUT, where she has built extensive expertise in research finance, grants management, compliance, reporting and governance.
She believes that combining practical experience with academic development played a significant role in earning the designation. “Completing my PhD in Business Management, where my research focused on developing an operational management framework for research development at Universities of Technology, strengthened my understanding of research management from both a scholarly and practical perspective.”
VUT has also played an important role in her professional journey by providing opportunities for growth through exposure to different aspects of research management, encouraging further studies and supporting participation in professional development programmes and conferences.
“Those experiences have helped shape my career and have contributed to where I am today,” she says.
For Mrs Klink, the recognition is both a personal and professional milestone. “Personally, it represents perseverance and the value of continuous learning. Professionally, it gives me confidence that my knowledge and experience meet recognised professional standards. It also motivates me to keep learning and to continue making a positive contribution to research management.”
She hopes the designation will strengthen confidence in the expertise within VUT’s Research Directorate while enhancing the support provided to researchers across the institution.
“I hope it contributes to building confidence in the expertise within the Research Directorate. I also hope to share what I’ve learned with colleagues, support researchers more effectively and contribute to strengthening research systems and good governance. Ultimately, strong research management helps researchers focus on producing quality research with real impact.”
Encouraging fellow research managers to pursue professional recognition, Mrs Klink says the process offers valuable opportunities for reflection and growth.
“It may seem like a demanding process, but it’s also a valuable opportunity to reflect on your career and recognise how much you’ve achieved. Keep evidence of your work, invest in continuous learning and don’t underestimate the important role research managers play in supporting research excellence.”
Looking to the future, Mrs Klink remains committed to advancing research management at VUT and within the broader higher education sector. Having recently met the requirements for her PhD in Business Management, and authored and co-authored six
peer-reviewed publications, she is eager to continue publishing, collaborating with fellow researchers and mentoring the next generation of research management professionals.
“I want to continue improving research management systems and supporting researchers in achieving their goals. I’m also passionate about mentoring others, sharing best practices and contributing to the development of research management as a profession. Having authored and co-authored six peer-reviewed publications, I look forward to continuing to publish, collaborate with fellow researchers and share best practices that strengthen research management within VUT and the higher education sector.”
As VUT celebrates Women’s Month, Mrs Shereen Klink’s achievement stands as an inspiring example of dedication, lifelong learning and professional excellence. Her RMP designation not only recognises her personal journey but also reflects the growing impact of women in strengthening research management, promoting good governance and enabling research excellence. By helping create an environment where researchers can thrive, she continues to make a meaningful contribution to VUT’s mission of advancing knowledge, innovation and societal impact.