The Durban University of Technology recently hosted the Annual Research Awards at the Durban Country Club.

Held for the second time this year, the awards are organised by the Technology, Innovations and Partnerships Office to acknowledge DUT scholars who are excelling in the area of research.

Giving the keynote addresses this year were Mahlubi Mabizela, Chief Director of the University Education Policy division within the Department of Higher Education who was the guest speaker last year as well, and Dr Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan from the School of Education in 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 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 noted, however, 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 as who, in essence, will be the drivers of the country’s research output in the future.

Awards

Judge Vuka Tshabalala, the DUT Chancellor, was invited to hand over the awards.

Awards were given in eight categories, the top two being Top SeniorResearcher and Top Woman Researcher. Professor Dimov Ilcev from the Department of Research and Post Graduate Support took Top Senior Researcher while Professor Jamila Adam from the Biomedical and Food Technology Department was named the Top Woman Researcher, also scooping an award for being the top researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences.

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 with me.” She acknowledged her students and research associates as they are the ones who inspire her to strive for better always.

This event ended with the launch of the Annual Research Report.

-Mbali Madlala

Caption: Professor Sibusiso Moyo, Director of Research and Post Graduate Support (left) is pictured with the top winners in the 2013 Annual Research Awards Professor Dimov Ilcev, from the Department of Research and Post Graduate Support,and Professor Jamila Adam, from the Biomedical and Food Technology Department