Durban University of Technology’s Professor Megandhren Govender delivered his inaugural lecture on Thursday, 7 September 2014, at the DUT Hotel School Conference Centre, DUT Ritson Campus.
Dr Megandhren Govender is the first full professor in the Department of Mathematics at the Durban University of Technology. When one thinks of a professor, one would expect a conservative academic but on the contrary, he is bespectacled, tattooed with earrings, defying the norms of what one will expect him to look like. Prof Govender’s research interests are on exact solutions of the Einstein-Maxwell equations, braneworld stars, black holes, strange stars, quasars, pulsars, neutron stars, inhomogeneous cosmologies and extended irreversible thermodynamics.
His inaugural lecture topic was: Will the real Einstein Please Stand Up? Prof Govender, spoke of his love for the stars and the fact that it was so much fun to explore and research Einstein’s theory of gravity, not by just looking at theories but using props like he does to depict his work to pupils and postgraduate students. “We should do what we do because we love it, and I love my work,” said Prof Govender proudly.
He is married to Dr Neetu Govender, a chiropractor in private practice. They have two children, Kyla and Lev who share their quirky and interesting views on reality and life in general. He is popularly known as Dr G, as one of the pioneers of science communication to the public through various platforms. Amongst his popular road shows are “So You Thought Einstein was a Genius”, “Riddles in my Soup Mug” and “The Flying Circus of Science”. Since he joined DUT, he has also managed to get an NRF C-rating which is a measure of the quality of his work and impact in this area of research.
Prof Thandwa Mthembu, vice-chancellor and principal of DUT, said that with the history of universities of technology not being research focused, he congratulated Prof Govender for leading by example on what is possible and welcomed him to the hallowed (cosmological) space of full professorship. “His inaugural lecture is thus in some areas of research and innovation and a symbolic pinnacle of his career and a demonstration of what he professes as a full professor,” he said.
Prof Sibusiso Moyo, deputy vice-chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, said an inaugural lecture is part of the academic and research programme of the University that provides a platform for newly appointed professors to share with the larger University community, both external and internal, on their research work thus far, their future and planned research. “Prof Govender has published widely in the area of gravitational collapse of radiating stars and extended irreversible thermodynamics and black hole physics. His inaugural lecture in itself marks an important milestone for the Mathematics discipline and is a signal-to the faculty for the need to move to greater heights where the University can reposition itself to have some offerings in the Mathematical Sciences in the KwaZulu-Natal region as it is able to attract talent and retain it,” she said.
Prof Suren Singh, executive dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences, said that relative astrophysics carries a premier league pedigree and it is fitting to note that Prof Govender has become one of the lead strikers in such a field of prestigious scientists on a global level. “He has shown special visionary skills in promoting his research and the discipline of Mathematics on a national and international level. When he joined DUT two years ago, there was immense promise that he would create new waves and change the cosmology of Mathematics of DUT. The outstanding research output he continues to churn out is a testimony to this together with the injection of new ideas and catalysing outputs amongst his colleagues in his department,” he said.
Associate professor from the department of Mathematics, Prof Darren Lortan, said Prof Govender’s service to the public at large and to aspiring young minds, in particular had evolved into an art that had inspired numerous productions that combined his many loves. “He has energised the Mathematics department and other ambits of the University and without, he remains committed to recruiting as many sojourners as he can, to join him on his quest to explore the universe in all its glory,” he added.
Prof Govender is currently working on a paper titled: How To Lose My Wife in 60 Seconds, which left many guests curious of the subject matter and what possible theories he will look at in order to solve such a topic.
Pictured: Prof Megandhren Govender, at his inaugural lecture.
Pictured: Prof Darren Lortan from the department of Mathematics, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, (DVC: Research, Innovation and Engagement), Deputy Vice-Chancellors: Academic
Prof Nomthandazo Gwele and Prof Megandhren Govender, at the inaugural lecture.
Waheeda Peters
