The Durban University of Technology recently hosted the Annual Research Awards at the Durban Country Club, Isaiah Ntshangase (former Walter Gilbert) Road.
Held for the second time this year (2013), the awards are organised by the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) ambit under the leadership of Professor FAO Otieno, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: (TIP) to acknowledge DUT scholars who are excelling in the area of research.
Giving the keynote addresses were Mahlubi Mabizela, Chief Director of the University Education Policy division within the Department of Higher Education and Training and Dr Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan from the School of Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
The speakers both focused on the adaption of research in South African universities.
Mabizela highlighted the growth that was visible at DUT in 2011. The Department of Higher Education and Training allocated R2.3 billion for research outputs in 2011 and DUT was awarded approximately 88 units of the outputs, which was an increase of over 80 percent compared to the previous year.
Mazibela however noted that even though the University has been growing in terms of research, it needs to continue pushing for research improvement among its academics, collaborate more with local and international universities and ensure that the development of the University does not leave behind the imperatives of transformation.
Dr Pithouse-Morgan said curiosity, passion and collaboration are the most basic and crucial elements in developing research; stressing that this was mainly a message to young researchers who will driver the country’s research output in future.
DUT Chancellor, former KZN Judge President Vuka Tshabalala was invited to hand over the 12 Top University Publishers Certificates of Recognition for 2012. These were awarded to Professors D Ilcev (6.75 units), K Bisetty (4.03 units), K Kanny (3.82 units), N Dorasamy (3.66 units), JK Adam (2.91 units), B Odhav (2.56 units), G Harris (2.50 units), G Stewart (2.50 units), D Allopi (2.25 units), K Reddy (2 units) and Drs A Van der Merwe (2 units) and S Singh (2 units).
Dr Jairam Reddy, Chairperson of the DUT Council handed over the Certificates of Recognition to Research Fellows Dr P Singh (8 journal articles), Dr TP Mohan (4 journal articles) as well as Postdoctoral Fellow Dr KN Venugopala (3 journal articles) and Research Associate Dr WNS Rmaih (3 articles).
Main Research Awards were given in eight categories, the top being Top University Senior Researcher Award which went to Professor Dimov Ilcev from the Department of Technology Transfer and Innovation. The Top Researcher In Each Faculty Award, handed over by Mabizela, went to Professor K Kanny from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (3.82units), Professor N Dorasamy from the Faculty of Management Sciences (3.66 units) and Professor JK Adam from the Health Sciences Faculty (2.91 units).
Prof Adam said, “I am excited. I didn’t expect this to happen again this year. If I had known, I would have brought my family along”. She acknowledged her students and research associates, saying they are the ones who inspire her to always strive for better.
Myalowenkosi Sabela from the Department of Chemistry won the award for Top Published MTech Student in 2012 with 0.73 units. Professor Faizal Bux, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology Director handed over this award.
Certificates of Recognition were given to Dr N Sibiya for the Top University Junior Researcher Award and Professor Adam for Top University Woman Researcher Award. Professor N Gawe, DVC: Institutional Support and Dr M Mandew handed over these awards respectively.
The programme Director at the function was David Sedumedi, Manager: Convocation at DUT.
This event ended with the launch of the Annual Research Report 2012.
– Mbali Madlala
Pictured: Professor Faizal Bux, Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology hands over the Top Published MTech Student Award for 2012 to Myalowenkosi Sabelo from the Department of Chemistry.
