Session on Budget Management: Planning, Tracking & Justifying Project Budgets

Date: Monday, 17 November 2025
Time: Bogotá (UTC-5) 07:00–08:30 AM | Berlin (UTC+1) 1:00–2:30 PM | Pretoria (UTC+2) 2:00-3:30 PM | Nairobi (UTC+3) 3:00–4:30 PM | Beijing (UTC+8) 8:00–9:30 PM
Target Audience: Researchers and Research Managers

1. Welcome by WAITRO Operations e.V.

A short introduction and overview of the session’s objectives and its relevance for WAITRO members.

2. Interactive Training Session
By Doret Kruger (North-West University)

Our expert from the WAITRO Regional Focal Point at North-West University, Mrs Doret Kruger, will share key insights on how to successfully plan and manage project budgets. During her presentation and interactive training, she will focus on the following topics:

• Budget Planning: Aligning project budgets with funder expectations and funding schemes
• Financial Tracking: Monitoring expenditures and ensuring accountability throughout the project lifecycle
• Budget Justification: Documenting decisions, cost eligibility, and audit readiness
• Sustainability: Linking budgets to long-term project continuity and partnerships
• Tools & Best Practices: Strategies for transparent reporting and effective financial management

3. Closing by WAITRO Operations e.V.

A brief summary of the session followed by concluding reflections and key takeaways.

Doret Kruger: With over 17 years of experience in higher education and research management, Doret Kruger is Programme Manager with Higher Degrees Academic Support at North-West University (NWU), South Africa. Doret holds an MBA from the NWU Business School and is currently pursuing a PhD in Transdisciplinary Health Sciences. She has successfully managed over 21 large-scale grant-funded projects exceeding R49 million, including DHET-funded University Capacity Development Grants (UCDG), THRIP, and TIA initiatives. Her leadership has consistently advanced postgraduate training, full-time M&D student appointments, and supervisor development across faculties, ensuring effective alignment with the DHET and CHE frameworks.

Mrs Kruger is passionate about empowering emerging researchers and research managers through structured support systems and data-informed interventions that drive meaningful, sustainable impact. Guided by a belief in purposeful collaboration, Doret approaches leadership with vision and empathy, combining strategic thinking with hands-on problem-solving. Her professional philosophy centres on creating research ecosystems that nurture innovation, equity, and collective growth across Africa and beyond.