MTC Dome partners with University of Pretoria

The Department of Physiology in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP) and the MTC Dome have formalized a collaboration aimed at bolstering neuroscience research efforts. This partnership, underscored by a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to leverage the combined expertise and resources of both institutions to explore the nexus between high-performance sport and neuroscience.ObjectivesThe primary aim of this collaboration is to provide postgraduate physiology students from the University of Pretoria with the opportunity to engage in research activities within the Neuroscience Lab, commonly known as the “brain gym” at the MTC Dome. Students will participate in various tasks, including testing and interventions, to advance understanding of the relationship between neuroscience and sport performance.This collaborative endeavour is designed to facilitate a symbiotic exchange of knowledge and expertise between UP and MTC Dome. Through hands-on experience in the Neuroscience Lab, students will enhance their practical skills while generating valuable data for ongoing research endeavours. The outcomes of this partnership hold the potential to drive advancements in neuroscience, with broad implications for fields such as sports, medicine, psychology, and cognitive science.Visionary partnershipAt an event hosted to announce this momentous partnership, Fanus Engelbrecht, the CEO of MTC Dome, expressed that this visionary partnership aims to make a significant change in performance sport in Namibia.“The MTC Dome is the premier performance center for sports in Namibia. We are also a member of the Sunshine Shimmer of High Performance, a noble organization. “We are here to push the boundaries and to create something different in Namibia in terms of the development of athletes.”He added that this year, the first five postgraduate students in the Faculty of Health Sciences will do their research at the MTC Dome.“The first two students are here, and we will soon see a lot more of them. Next month, we will launch the Dome Academy, and as this relationship grows, it could easily become the University of Pretoria Dome Academies when we merge. That is now an education center, and that is where we develop athletes.”Professor Peet du Toit, Associate Professor in the Department of Physiology at the Faculty of Health Sciences, stated that the brain is a high-performance centre.“It takes care of every action, decision, and movement. It is the ultimate high-performance centre; it governs everything from basic motor skills to all decision-making processes, and it plays a major role in the performance of individuals as well as athletes. “Neuroscience also plays a very important role in habitation; it makes the athlete stronger.”Furthermore, Professor Tiaan de Jager, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, underscored that the University of Pretoria is ranked second in Africa for the sustainable development goal of health and well-being.“This is what we are talking about. It’s about well-being and developing people’s potential. Not only to get to health and well-being and address many of the challenges we are faced with in Africa, but to do that we need to address many of the other development goals like poverty, food security, and clean water.”Financial support and commitmentA noteworthy aspect of this collaboration is the commitment from MTC Dome to cover all expenses related to student participation. This financial support underscores the Dome’s dedication to fostering collaborative research and knowledge exchange, ensuring that students can fully engage in this enriching academic experience.The University of Pretoria stands as one of Africa’s leading universities, recognized for its academic excellence and impactful research contributions. As the largest contact university in South Africa, UP ranks among the top 1.9% of universities globally, exemplifying its commitment to innovation and knowledge creation.MTC Dome, situated in Namibia, holds the distinction of being the sole high-performance training center in the country. Devoted to fostering excellence in sports, the Dome provides state-of-the-art training facilities and support services to elite athletes across diverse disciplines. As a member of the Association of Sport Performance Centers (ASPC), MTC Dome upholds the highest standards in sports performance.The collaboration between the Department of Physiology at UP and MTC Dome is structured to yield mutual benefits for both institutions. By fostering academic and research excellence, enriching the educational experience of students, and contributing to the broader scientific and sports community, this partnership epitomizes the spirit of collaborative innovation and knowledge sharing. – Additional reporting by MTC Dome

MTC Dome partners with University of Pretoria

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Republikein 2025-05-01

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MTC Dome partners with University of Pretoria

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