In his fourth Faculty Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at Durban University of Technology (DUT) engaged with the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment staff, providing a platform to reflect on the faculty’s research and innovation performance. The robust discussion was held at the Steve Biko campus on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.
The engagement formed part of Prof Nemavhola’s ongoing efforts to advance the university’s research and innovation outputs. A few weeks ago, he engaged with the staff from the faculties of Accounting and Informatics, Managements Sciences as well as Arts and Design seeking their commitment in positioning DUT as a leading university of technology recognised for research excellence, innovation and societal impact.
Facilitating the engagement was Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director of Alumni and Advancement Relations at DUT who encouraged staff to take full advantage of the opportunity to engage directly with the DVC: RIE and his office.
In his welcome remarks, Professor Molusiwa Ramabodu, Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, expressed his sincere appreciation to Prof Nemavhola and his team for availing themselves to engage with the faculty. He warmly welcomed attendees and urged staff not to hesitate to ask questions or raise concerns that could contribute to the betterment of the faculty and its research environment.
Dr Nomcebo Mthombeni, Interim Director of the Research and Postgraduate Support Unit, presented an overview of the faculty’s research performance, highlighting research output units, postgraduate enrolment figures and key research focus areas. She also shared valuable insights into postgraduate support mechanisms, funding opportunities and initiatives aimed at strengthening student success and research productivity.
Dr Mthombeni commended the faculty for being the second-highest contributor of research outputs at DUT, recording 204 units in 2025, behind only the Faculty of Management Sciences. While acknowledging this achievement, she noted that the faculty did not generate any book outputs during the year and expressed hope that this area would improve in the 2026 reporting cycle.
She further recognised the contributions of the departments of Construction Management, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Power Engineering in driving the faculty’s research output performance. Dr Mthombeni also noted that only 35% of permanent academic staff within the faculty currently hold doctoral qualifications and encouraged more staff members to pursue PhDs to strengthen research capacity and output.
Addressing innovation and the commercialisation of research, Dr Pinkie Ntola, Interim Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation, presented on the importance of strengthening intellectual property within the university environment. Her presentation outlined DUT’s intellectual property portfolio and unpacked the institution’s in-house funding opportunities designed to support innovation development, technology transfer and commercialisation initiatives among staff and students.
DVC: RIE, Prof Nemavhola kept his presentation brief, focusing on key institutional research statistics and their strategic implications. His intention was to allow sufficient time for engagement and meaningful discussion between his office and the faculty.
He revealed that 41% of DUT staff hold doctoral qualifications, exceeding the university of technology sector average of 36%. Despite this positive performance, he stressed the need to increase the number of PhD holders across the institution.
Prof Nemavhola raised concerns about the large proportion of doctoral holders who are employed on a contract or part-time basis, as well as those who are over the age of 55. He cautioned that this presents a sustainability risk, as many of these academics may exit the institution in the near future.
He encouraged staff to work diligently to ensure the university remains sustainable through increased research outputs and innovative research that addresses pressing societal challenges. Prof Nemavhola also made a strong appeal to professors within the faculty to actively contribute to research publication outputs.
“It is unacceptable to have academic leaders who are not contributing to research within the university,” he said.
The engagement concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which participants engaged Prof Nemavhola on matters relating to research funding, postgraduate supervision, publication outputs and strengthening partnerships with industry and external stakeholders.
In his closing remarks, Prof Ramabodu reiterated the significance of continued engagements between faculty leadership and the Research, Innovation and Engagement office. He noted that such platforms are essential for fostering innovation, strengthening research capacity and preparing academics and students to contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economic development.
On Thursday, 11 June 2026, Prof Nemavhola hosted a similar Faculty Engagement with the Faculty of Health Sciences to discuss its research and innovation agenda. He is also scheduled to meet with the Faculty of Applied Sciences as part of his ongoing efforts to strengthen research and innovation outputs across the university.
Pictured: DVC: RIE Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola engaging the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment staff.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini.
Simangele Zuma/Sibonisile Mdlozini
