Durban University of Technology (DUT) congratulates Professor Ferina Marimuthu, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Financial Accounting, on achieving an NRF C3 rating in 2026, recognising her research contributions and standing among her peers.
Prof Marimuthu is the first female NRF-rated researcher in DUT’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, making her achievement a significant milestone for the faculty and an inspiration to women academics and emerging researchers.
Her achievement comes as DUT continues to strengthen its research profile, having received the NRF Focused Research Advancement Award for three consecutive years, from 2024 to 2026.
For Prof Marimuthu, the rating marks an important milestone in a career spanning more than 28 years at DUT and its legacy institutions. Her journey is particularly noteworthy because she published her first research paper in 2019, drawing on her doctoral thesis.
“My research journey began relatively late. In the earlier years of my academic career, accounting academics often focused on teaching, professional qualifications and preparing students for the workplace. Research was not always given the emphasis it receives today. As expectations around publishing grew, I had to develop my own research identity,” she reflected.
Her experience has shaped her message to academics who may feel they have started their research journey too late.
“I drew on my teaching experience and professional knowledge to build my research career. To progress from my first publication in 2019 to an NRF C3 rating in 2026 is a milestone I am immensely proud of. I hope my journey encourages other academics, particularly women and those who begin researching later in their careers, to recognise that it is never too late to make a meaningful contribution,” she said.
The NRF rating system uses peer review to assess researchers’ recent outputs and their standing in their respective fields. A C3 rating falls within the established researcher category.
Prof Marimuthu holds a PhD in Finance from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which she completed in 2019 with support from the NRF’s Thuthuka Programme. Her doctoral research examined the relationship between capital structure and the financial performance of South African state-owned entities.
“The Thuthuka grant helped me pursue research into an issue of national importance and provided a foundation for my continuing interest in corporate governance, financial accountability and organisational sustainability,” she explained.
Her research spans corporate governance, sustainability reporting, environmental disclosures, financial performance and financial technology. She has contributed to more than 50 accredited research publications and has authored and co-authored accounting textbooks used in higher education.
A key focus of her work is how accounting can help organisations look beyond financial results to understand their wider responsibilities and long-term impact.
“I am particularly interested in how accounting and financial reporting can evolve beyond traditional financial measures to incorporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations,” she said.
Her interest in sustainability reporting developed through her earlier research on financial performance and governance in South African state-owned entities. This work led her to explore how financial reports could incorporate environmental performance, resource use and other non-financial information to provide a more complete picture of organisational performance.
She is also interested in how financial technology and data analytics can improve reporting and decision-making, as well as how accounting education can prepare students for changes in the profession.
“I am also passionate about innovation in accounting education. Through project-based learning and the integration of sustainability-related concepts into accounting curricula, I aim to contribute to the development of graduates who possess not only technical accounting competencies but also critical thinking, digital literacy and an understanding of responsible business practices,” she said.
For Prof. Marimuthu, research must extend beyond academic publications to inform professional practice, enrich teaching and contribute to addressing challenges faced by organisations and communities.
This approach aligns with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, particularly its focus on innovation, sustainability, adaptive graduates and societal impact.
“My research also reflects DUT’s commitment to engagement and practical impact. I believe that research should extend beyond academic publications to inform organisational practices, contribute to policy discussions and address challenges affecting businesses and communities,” she explained.
Alongside her research, Prof Marimuthu has served as Head of the Department of Financial Accounting since April 2021. She is involved in postgraduate supervision, collaborative research and initiatives that strengthen relationships between higher education and professional accounting bodies, including SAIPA, ACCA, CIMA, SAICA and SAIGA.
These engagements help connect academic teaching and research with developments in the accounting profession. Looking ahead, she plans to expand her research collaborations locally and internationally, particularly in sustainability reporting, corporate governance and digital transformation.
Her future research priorities include green accounting, natural capital, sustainability assurance and responsible investment. She also intends to continue working with professional bodies, including the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), to support research-informed developments in professional education and practice.
“I intend to expand collaborative research networks, particularly in sustainability reporting, corporate governance and digital transformation, to strengthen the international visibility and societal relevance of research undertaken at DUT,” she said.
Developing emerging researchers is another important part of her work. Through postgraduate supervision and mentorship, she hopes to help build research capacity and encourage more academics to contribute to scholarship in South African higher education.
“I am particularly committed to supporting emerging researchers and postgraduate students. I believe that developing research capacity is essential to ensuring the long-term sustainability of scholarship within South African higher education,” she explained.
Her long-term ambition is to contribute to establishing Accounting at DUT as a recognised centre of excellence in sustainability accounting, governance and responsible financial management.
Reflecting on her achievement, Prof Marimuthu acknowledged the people who have supported her throughout her career and emphasised that the rating motivates her to continue contributing to research and academic development.
“I am grateful to the colleagues, collaborators, mentors, postgraduate students and family members who have supported me throughout my academic journey. I view this recognition not as the culmination of my research career, but as encouragement to continue contributing to knowledge creation, mentoring emerging scholars and strengthening the research profile of DUT,” she said.
For aspiring researchers, particularly women academics who may be questioning whether they can establish themselves in research later in their careers, her journey offers an encouraging example of persistence, growth and continued learning.
“Research excellence is not measured solely by the number of publications we produce, but by the knowledge we create, the people we inspire and the positive impact we make on society. My NRF rating is both an honour and a responsibility to continue advancing meaningful research and supporting the next generation of scholars.”
DUT congratulates Prof Marimuthu on this significant achievement and wishes her continued success as she advances her research, supports emerging scholars and contributes to the university’s growing research profile.
Pictured: Professor Ferina Marimuthu, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Financial Accounting at Durban University of Technology (DUT).
Waheeda Peters
