????With the end of the academic year in sight, the Research and Innovation Awards presented on 31 October provided an opportune way to celebrate the achievements of the crème de la crème at Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 (SU). ??Held at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), the gala dinner recognised excellence across various categories, including postgraduate students, early career researchers, established researchers, women in research, newly A-rated researchers, and outstanding postgraduate supervisors.
The Conversation Africa, a nonprofit media platform that publishes news and analysis written by academics and researchers, also presented three awards to SU staff who have contributed to outstanding public engagement and research dissemination.
Impressive milestones
In her welcoming address Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said impactful research is one of the main drivers that measures the value add of SU to knowledge generation and high-end skills training. Moyo highlighted SU's vision to be Africa's leading research-intensive university, globally recognised for excellence, inclusivity and innovation.
“Our commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, research and innovation in service of society is enabled by our staff and students and an environment with a deep sense of purpose to make a contribution to improve our three biggest challenges as a country, namely unemployment, poverty and inequality," Moyo said.
She provided an overview of some impressive milestones achieved at SU over the past year, including the awarding of the prestigious Templeton Prize to Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela for her work on historical trauma and reparative justice. Gobodo-Madikizela and her team at The Centre for the Study for the Afterlife of Violence and Reparative Quest (AVReQ), received the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's and Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Special Recognition Award.
Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers acknowledged the exceptional contributions of SU's scholars, whose work has bolstered the 中国体育彩票's status among South Africa's top three research-intensive institutions. He highlighted that SU now boasts 505 NRF-rated researchers, including 21 A-rated scholars, and supports 345 postdoctoral fellows, all of whom contribute significantly to the 中国体育彩票's robust research output.
Congratulating the winners, De Villiers said their contributions not only elevate SU but enhances the institution's capacity to advance knowledge and transform lives. “We are grateful for your hard work and determination. I have no doubt that your future endeavours will continue to inspire us all," De Villiers concluded.
Transformative leadership
In his vote of thanks Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and incoming Rector and Vice-Chancellor, praised the award recipients for their contributions to cementing SU's reputation as a leading research-intensive university. “Over the last decade we've seen the most significant strides in Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 becoming a research-intensive university. It happened through a concerted effort and intentional leadership in driving us forward to become one of the top research universities on the continent," Ramjugernath said.
Comments by some of the winners of the Research and Innovation Excellence Awards:
Prof Shahida Moosa, head of Medical Genetics at Tygerberg Hospital:
“This award in the category Women in Science means a lot to me, as I strive to be a role model for young women in science. My research group has been predominantly female by design since inception, and we have created a beautifully diverse and dynamic group, where women are empowered to explore fields like bioinformatics which are still very much male dominated. These young women, given the opportunity, show that they can excel. I am happy to be part of this. This is one way I am working towards real transformation within the 中国体育彩票 and within Science, and it is wonderful to have these efforts recognised."
Dr Cleo Conacher, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology:
“I am quite honoured to have been recognised as one of the top five postdoctoral research fellows at the 中国体育彩票. It is always a welcome surprise when the work that delights you is also academically appreciated. Besides the individual achievement, the event highlighted the integral role of the contributions that postdoctoral research fellows make in the academic system and to research as a whole, which was wonderful to see."
Dr Gibson Ncube, Department of Modern Foreign Languages:
“Winning the Conversation Africa Award is an incredible honour, and I am grateful for this recognition. For me, this award affirms the importance of bridging academia and the public by making our scholarly work accessible to broader audiences beyond the ivory towers of the academe. The award certainly inspires me to continue working on projects that make complex ideas approachable, relevant, and impactful."
Prof Evert Kleynhans, Associate Professor, Department of Military History:
"It is a great feeling when one's hard work and research output is recognised on a platform such as the annual SU Research and Innovation Excellence Awards. Moreover, the function allows the 中国体育彩票's top researchers to mingle with one another in a social setting, which is always welcome."
Dr Tawanda Zininga, Department of Biochemistry:
“This award is a testimony to the support I received at SU mostly from our faculty of science and the Department of Biochemistry. It would not have been possible without the students who have contributed immensely to achieving this. I'm grateful to their contributions in this research and dedicate this award to them. I'm humbled to be selected among the top early career researchers who received this award. This recognition also boosts my confidence and drive to push forward our efforts towards finding solutions to the health challenges caused by malaria."
Prof Sope Williams, Professor: Department of Mercantile Law:
“I am so grateful for the Women in Research Award. There is really something about being recognised at 'home' that makes this award feel extra special. Although I've been the recipient of international awards for my research, the recognition from Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票 is heart-warming for me and makes me feel appreciated and loved. The recognition also makes me feel that my work is not in vain and that in my own way, I am making a difference through my research, teaching and advocacy on public procurement, anti-corruption and gender equality. I was deeply motivated and inspired to be in the same category as Prof Sandra Liebenberg, who is the only A-rated NRF scholar in the Faculty of Law. I will continue to strive to be the best that I can be and give the best that I can give to Stellenbosch 中国体育彩票, to my students and the community."
FULL LIST OF 2024 WINNERS:
| ?2024 Research and Innovation Excellence Awards | |
| | |
| POSTGRADUATE STUDENT CATEGORY | |
| Dr Frederic Bester | Civil Engineering |
| Dr Martinus Myburgh | Microbiology |
| Dr Jana Van Rooyen | Food Sciences |
| Ms Dayna Croock | Biomedical Sciences |
| Mr Jan-Hendrik Duminy | Chemical Engineering |
| Ms Alexandra Volkwyn | Chemistry and Polymer Science |
| Dr Steve Chingwaru | Earth Sciences |
| Dr Luckmore Chivandire | School of Public Leadership |
| ? | ? |
| ? | ? |
| | |
| EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER CATEGORY | |
| Dr Marguerite Blignaut | Medical Physiology |
| Ms Munira Hoosain | Health and Rehabilitation Sciences |
| Ms Mariam Salie | Psychology |
| Dr Caitlin Uren | Biomedical Sciences |
| Dr Tawanda Zininga | Biochemistry |
| Dr Boitumelo Ramatsetse | Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering |
| | |
| ESTABLISHED RESEARCHER CATEGORY | |
| Prof Soraya Bardien | Biomedical Sciences |
| Prof Novel Chegou | Biomedical Sciences |
| Prof Savel Daniels | Botany and Zoology |
| Prof Amanda Gouws | Political Science |
| Prof Resia Pretorius | Physiological Sciences |
| Prof Gideon Van Zijl | Civil Engineering |
| | |
| WOMEN IN RESEARCH CATEGORY | |
| Prof Kathryn Chu | Surgical Sciences |
| Prof Sandra Liebenberg | Public Law |
| Prof Christine Lochner | Psychiatry |
| Prof Shahida Moosa | Molecular Biology and Human Genetics |
| Prof Sope Williams | Merchantile Law |
| | |
| DVC INTERDISCIPLINARY/GROUP AWARDS | |
| Laboratory for the Economics of Africa`s Past (LEAP) | |
| South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) | |
| | |
| RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR`S RESEARCH FOR IMPACT AWARD | |
| Prof Clive Gray | Immunology |
| | |
| POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION AWARDS | |
| Prof Meshach Aziakpono | EMS |
| Prof Jonathan Jansen | Education |
| Prof Bert Klumperman | Science |
| Prof Leslie Le Grange | Education |
| Prof Corné Schutte | Engineering |
| Prof Sandra Swart | FASS |
| Prof Grant Theron | FMHS |
| Prof Jan Van Vuuren | Engineering |
| Prof Gideon Van Zijl | Engineering |
| Prof Ranel Venter | FMHS |
| Prof Cas Wepener | Theology |
| Prof Gideon Wolfaardt | Science |
| Prof Taryn Young | FMHS |
| | |
| TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER/INNOVATION AWARDS | |
| BioTrac Technology | |
| Urobo Biotech | |
| | |
| VICE-CHANCELLOR/DVC SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD | |
| The Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ) | ? |
| | |
| AWARDS FOR NEWLY A-RATED RESEARCHERS | |
| Prof Zander Myburg | Genetics, AgriSciences |
| Prof H. Simon Schaaf | Paediatrics and Child Health |
| Prof Herman Wasserman | Journalism |
| | |
| DVC TOP RESEARCH OUTPUT AWARDS | |
| Prof Johan Fourie | Economic and Management Sciences |
| Prof Evert Kleynhans | Military Sciences |
| Prof Oluwole Makinde | Military Sciences |
| Prof Soraya Seedat | Medicine and Health Sciences |
| Prof Robin Warren | Medicine and Health Sciences |
| | |
| POSTDOCTORAL AWARDS | |
| Dr Michelle Botha | Department of Global Health |
| Dr Cleo Conacher | Microbiology |
| Dr George Teke | Chemical Engineering |
| Dr Happy Tshivhula | Biomedical Sciences |
| Dr Francois Van Schalkwyk | CREST |
| Prof Robbie Luckay | Chemistry and Polymer Science |
| Prof Craig McGregor | Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering |
| Dr Monika Moir | CERI, School for Data Science and Computational Thinking |
| | |
| The Conversation Awards | |
| Prof Johann Kirsten | Bureau for Economic Research |
| Wandile Sihlobo | Agricultural Economics |
| Dr Gibson Ncube | Modern Foreign Languages |
???
