The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC: RIE), Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, hosted the third engagement session with the Faculty Board of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Hotel School, Ritson Campus on Friday, 24 April 2026.
The session formed part of ongoing discussions with faculty leadership, focused on advancing research and innovation priorities and ensuring alignment with the University’s strategic vision while supporting staff and student success.
Senior Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Alan Khan, shared news on the recent appointment of eight South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) chairs by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande. He also highlighted that DUT has taken a decisive step towards advancing high-impact, interdisciplinary research with the establishment of 18 new Research Institutes, effective from 2026.
Welcoming the attendees, the Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design, Prof Phoholo Morojele, expressed appreciation to Prof Nemavhola for engaging directly with the faculty.
He encouraged staff to share ideas and explore ways to advance research and innovation, noting that this underscores the University’s commitment to strengthening its research profile and translating knowledge into innovation and meaningful societal impact, in line with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy.
The Interim Director of the Research and Postgraduate Support Unit, Dr Nomcebo Mthombeni, focused her talk on creative research outputs from the various departments within the faculty. She spoke on doctoral qualifications from 2012 to 2025, indicating a need to grow output across all departments, while noting progress from the Centre for Education, which had research outputs at 78% in 2021 and increasing to 83% in 2025.
“For all emerging researchers, there is funding available from the Research and Postgraduate Support (RPS) Office, a specialised unit which plays a key role in developing research capacity for both staff and students in alignment with the university’s research strategies,” she explained.
She further indicated that all staff should utilise the Research and Postgraduate Support facilities to enhance their interdisciplinary research.
Dr Pinky Ntola, Interim Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation, gave insight into DUT’s intellectual property portfolio, the need to protect research before publication, enabling commercialisation and spin-offs, and how to grow third-stream income sustainably.
She outlined the TTI Incubation Programme, which facilitates technology development from entry level to higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), a nine-point maturity scale used to evaluate inventions from basic research to commercialisation.
She highlighted key initiatives such as prototype programmes and encouraged academic researchers to embrace every opportunity to lead and innovate.
In his much-anticipated presentation, Prof Nemavhola shared key institutional research statistics and strategic implications, indicating that everyone has a role in advancing society in whatever form.
“As a portfolio, this is why we exist. We aim to do the best we can through teaching, innovation and research. At DUT, we need to set systems and processes in place as only 37% of staff hold PhDs, which is very low in the higher education sector,” he shared.
He further noted that 18% of doctoral holders are not active in research activities and supervision.
Prof Nemavhola emphasised that there is a need to strengthen systems and processes, noting that as a creative faculty, there is an opportunity to grow PhD output through research and innovation.
He encouraged staff to engage in a question-and-answer session to highlight challenges affecting their research and innovation at DUT.
A major concern discussed by attendees was Wi-Fi connectivity, where Prof Nemavhola indicated that the university is doing its best to address this ongoing problem, noting that it is not a question of resources but rather of management and turnaround time.
Another concern raised was PhD graduates leaving DUT for better prospects. Staff enquired about how to support these graduates and create an environment that is not overly stretched or burdened with administrative work.
Prof Nemavhola and his team listened attentively, offering responses on what further needs to be done to improve both administrative and academic workloads.
Pictured: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (DVC: RIE), Prof Fulufhelo Nemavhola, chats to staff at the engagement.
Waheeda Peters
