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Prof Bux Wins At Water Research Knowledge Tree Awards

Prof Bux Wins At Water Research Knowledge Tree Awards

Professor Faizal Bux, the Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology at The Durban University of Technology, was named the winner of the Transformation and Redress category of the third Water Research Commission (WRC) Knowledge Tree Awards.

The awards ceremony took place on 18th September 2017at a gala dinner at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg.
These awards are presented to recipients whose research and innovations have impacted and uplifted the water and sanitation sector in a variety of ways.

The Knowledge Tree Awards are also named after the WRC’s strategic planning approach to research impact. The tree metaphor reflects strength in a foundation, which is firmly embedded in sound and strong growth, depicted by the branches and leaves growing vigorously from this knowledge. It also acts as a yardstick against which to measure the WRC’s impact in the key domains of transformation and redress; sustainable development solutions; empowerment of communities; informing policy and decision-making; human capital development in the water and science sector; and new products and services for economic development.

This year, the theme was ‘Adaptation to the new normal.’ This was in response to the occurrence and frequency of extreme weather events, such as drought and flash floods, that have placed even more stress on an already limited water resource. Opinion leaders, industry experts, government officials, public and private sector decision-makers, young water professionals and innovators will convene to exchange knowledge and map out bold interventions that will facilitate the adaptation to a new normal.

Professor Bux has been instrumental in establishing the research niche area of Wastewater Technology and further turning this into a center of excellence known as the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology which is based at DUT. He has more than 20 years service at Higher Education Institutes and he has received numerous institutional awards, including the Vice-Chancellors Award and the University Top Senior Researcher Award.

The Institute has recently been awarded a National Research Foundation Research Chairs initiative chair, mainly due to the efforts of Professor Bux. His primary research areas are: wastewater biotechnology, bioremediation, algal biofuels research and biotechnology, constructed wetlands/rhizofiltration and rainwater harvesting. He serves as scientific advisor for various NGO’s both in South Africa and internationally especially with regard to water quality issues. Professor Bux has established an extensive network of collaborators based at universities both nationally and internationally with active student and staff exchange for team members in the institute.

Pictured: Prof Faizul Bux

Waheeda Peters

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