The Durban University of Technology (DUT) has received another international recognition for its academic, research and innovation excellence.

Mr Elvis Tinashe Ganda, a DUT Masters degree graduate in Chemical Engineering, was recently announced as the winner of the Italian based Eni Award – in the category “The Young Talent from Africa.”

The award ceremony will take place at the Palazzo del Quirinale on 22 October 2018, in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella.

Over the years, the award, established in 2007, has become an international benchmark for research in the energy and environment sectors. The Eni Award aims to reflect the importance of scientific research and innovation, promoting a better use of energy sources and encouraging a new generation of researchers.

Ganda’s research is particularly important in the transition towards the increasing use of renewable energy in the transport sector. Ganda’s research focuses on biomass, a renewable alternative fuel with an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact caused by transporting people and commodities.

Ganda could not contain his excitement upon receiving the news, he said, “It’s really an honour and privilege to be nominated for such a prestigious award for the work I did in my Masters research under the mentorship of Dr Yusuf Markafi Isa. I am really psyched to receive the Eni Awards which will afford me my lifelong dream to pursue my doctoral research in Europe,”

“It feels great to be chosen to represent Africa on a global scale in terms of research. To me, this validated the hard work and effort I had been putting into my studies prior to this, and I am hopeful this opportunity will bring me closer to my dream of contributing positively to my community. I hope to bring to Africa new solutions to deal with energy and environmental problems being faced in the 21st century on our continent,” he added.

Ganda also expressed his sincere gratitude to the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Postgraduate Support Office at Steve Biko campus for all the support they gave him during his studies, as well as his family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout his studies.

Department of Chemical Engineering Head, and supervisor of the winning research project, Dr Yusuf Isa said the department has identified waste valorization as instrumental to sustainable living and in line with their practice of engaging communities, they have identified potentials in this area that will be of benefit to our communities.

“As teaching forms part of our core business we also engage in research in areas of water and wastewater, process synthesis and Energy. This particular achievement (The Young Talent from Africa 2018 award) coming from the research work of Mr Ganda Tinashe Elvis is a slice from a number of sustainable and waste valorization projects that are currently ongoing in the department,” said Dr Isa.

Dr Isa added that Ganda’s work which investigates the potentials of valorizing waste cooking oil obtained locally while using in house made catalysts has proven to pave way for the production of fuels and petrochemicals from readily available waste; of particular importance of this work is its ability to address problems of waste management , it is also timely taking into account today’s fuel prices. Adding that the process has been very promising as the department looks forward to maintaining their mark in biofuels and  other research areas.

“Having supervised Mr Ganda, I further use this opportunity to congratulate him, the Chemical Engineering Department, the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment and the DUT family as a whole. We sincerely appreciate the support of the University Leadership towards promoting our research activities. On behalf of myself and the department, we consider this as a challenge towards maintaining our international competiveness while opening our doors for collaborations both locally and globally,” added Dr Isa.

Pictured: Dr Yusuf Markafi Isa and, Elvis Tinashe Ganda, after Ganda’s graduation at DUT.

Nduduzo Ndlovu