Two Master’s students, Samora Buthelezi, Pilasande Mlatha and emerging researcher from the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), are jetting off to the Netherlands in March 2023. The two students have successfully obtained funding towards a scholarship opportunity to conduct experiments at the University of Groningen, Netherlands, towards the completion of their Master’s degrees.
The Faculty’s Dr Pinkie Ntola, explained how the funding came about for the trip to Netherlands. She had met with Dr Chelsea Tucker (who is now one of the collaborators and co-supervisor of the students), through a colleague and friend in Catalysis, Sinqobile Mahlaba.
“We were all attending the North American Catalysis Society Meeting (NAM27 conference) that took place in New York City in 2022. Dr Tucker pointed me to a scholarship opportunity for South African students who wish to do part of their studies at a Dutch university, via the ZuidAfrikaHuis. The scholarship opportunity is also available for researchers who want to attend courses, conferences and Master classes,” she said.
Academic, Dr Ntola, who after completing her Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Chemistry, was appointed as a junior lecturer at DUT through the “Grow your own timber” programme in 2011.
She completed her PhD in 2021 through the support of NRF-BAAP that came with a lecturer replacement component. She is working on improving her research profile by engaging in research scholarly activities, such as publishing in reputable journals, supervising at Master’s and Doctoral level and fostering local and international collaborations.
“It is an interesting journey, not without challenges. DUT, through its strategy, ENVISION 2030, encourages research and innovation as it forms part of the major characteristics of universities that are expected to change lives and communities through training of graduates and in pursuit of knowledge. I am grateful to be part of these strategic moves,” she said.
Dr Ntola added that the process of how the individuals were chosen, entailed that the students (Samora Buthelezi and Pilasande Mlatha), applying to the ZuidAfrikaHuis to study at the University of Groningen in Netherlands for six months. The students were notified of their successful applications in October 2022 for travel in February 2023.
“Each student was awarded a monthly allowance of 1200 euros (about R23000 per month) for six months. They were also awarded a once-off travel grant of 1000 euros. I was awarded 1300 euros to travel and meet the collaborators, do some reactions at the University of Groningen and attend the Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry conference,” she added.
Buthelezi is currently doing his Master of Applied Science in Chemistry. He is elated to be going overseas because he realised that it is going to be the first step to achieving his dreams and making a difference in the country with the knowledge and skills he is going to gain abroad.
The trip entails doing his catalysis research in the laboratory at the University of Groningen for the six months.
“I want to learn and get more knowledge and skills as much as I can while I will be in Netherlands. Then apply this knowledge to improve some things in the country,” he said.
With his future goal being to become a researcher and lecturer for Chemistry. He believes it is important for him to gain necessary knowledge and skills as someone who wants to be a researcher.
Pilasande Mlatha also could not contain her joy upon hearing the news of her funding to travel overseas.
“I heard about the Scholarship through Dr Ntola while she was in New York and I went on the website and read more about the scholarship and took the initiative to apply. I was super excited upon hearing my application was successful for this trip. It has always been in me to know that I will definitely, at some point study abroad. So being awarded this scholarship to study abroad brought a tick on my vision board. I am grateful,” she said.
Mlatha hold a Bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science and Chemistry from the University of the Free State (UFS) and an Honour’s degree in Chemistry from the Nelson Mandela University (NMU). She is also an alumna of the Moshal Scholarship programme. Currently, she is an aspiring Master of Science in Chemistry student.
For Mlatha, it is her first time leaving the country ever in her life and is an experience that she is looking forward to.
“In Groningen I will be primarily doing my Master’s project in the lab, my project is on catalysis. From this experience, I am aiming to learn as much as I can as far as my academics are concerned, also socially I am aiming to network and meet new people and enjoy the diversity of people,” she said.
Pictured: Pilasande Mlatha
She further added that it is vital for students like her to be part of these international collaborations because they open a window of opportunity, they also give one a wider mindset and sharpens the skills of doing research. Her future goals include finishing her Master’s and doing her PhD in the same discipline of Chemistry.
Commenting further, Dr Ntola said that one student is working on a Fischer Tropsch Synthesis project, while the other is working on a CO2 hydrogenation project.
“It is an exciting and new field for me as a researcher. The students will be working with Prof. Dr. ir. Herees, a full professor at the department of Chemical engineering at the University of Groningen, Dr H Van de Bovenkamp and Dr C Tucker. Dr Mzamo Shozi, who is a researcher and academic leader at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is also part of the project and will be co-supervising one of the students,” she stressed.
Dr Ntola conveyed that the students will be getting access to high end catalytic reactors and equipment necessary for the application in their studies.
Pictured: Dr Pinkie Ntola
She explained that it is the first time such a collaboration is in place for her. However, she did mention that there are professors in her department who have had similar collaborations and exchange programmes.
Going forward, international students may also be coming to DUT, as this would be possible through the signing of MoUs.
“The International office at DUT has commenced the discussions with the collaborators. Collaborations are an important feature at DUT. The university has an international strategy that includes student exchange programmes, research collaborations, international benchmarking of study programmes, international student support and creating linkages with universities and organisations. This is to build a global learning community where diverse perspectives and intercultural awareness are valued and promoted. It is commendable that we train globally competitive students and conduct research that can be recognised worldwide as well,” she said.
Dr Ntola’s future projects include working with Prof Abhaya Datye from the University of New Mexico in the USA, Prof Jaco Olivier from the Nelson Mandela University, Prof Holger Friedrich from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Dr Alisa Govender from Sasol Group Technology .
“ I visited the University of New Mexico for Transmission Electron Microscopy work in 2022 and we are working on publishing the work and strengthening the collaboration. One of the biggest and most important projects for me right now is that I recently registered for the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education. I look forward to how the programme will enhance my Teaching philosophy based on learning theories in Higher education,” she said.
Dr Ntola congratulates the students on their awards and wishes them all the best as they travel and settle in the Netherlands.
Pictured: Samora Buthelezi
Waheeda Peters
