Dr Mohan Turup Pandurangan, a senior lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is one of DUT’s sterling academics who have been nominated in several categories of the 2022/23 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF )-South32 Awards.
NSTF is a one of the prestigious awards that recognises individuals/groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) fields. It is also known as ‘Science Oscars’ of the South African SET system. This prestigious event is organised annually in partnership with South32 and along with many co-partners.
Speaking about the nomination, Dr Pandurangan ecstatically said: “It is my first-time entering such a competition and I am nominated in two categories, one for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher and another for Special Annual Theme Award: Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development.”
Giving more insight into how he had come to hear of the NSTF Awards. He explained that he was nominated by DUT’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement: Professor Keolebogile Motaung.
“I received an email from Prof Motaung to apply for this award. Initially I was thrilled and felt honoured to be nominated for such award by our Acting DVC:RIE. Immediately I agreed and stared working on the application submission. I assume that considering my contribution to the field of science and engineering which I was involved in, for the past sixteen years would have made them to consider nominating me for these awards,” he replied.
Dr Pandurangan obtained his PhD in Composite Material from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (India), in 2006. His research field is polymer composites, particularly in natural fibre reinforced polymer composites, surface modification of natural fibres, structure-property evaluation and thermo-mechanical analysis.
He gained various form of research experience as an industrial researcher, postdoctoral fellow and academic scholar.
“I have supervised 4 doctoral and 4 master’s thesis to completion and currently guiding 2 doctoral and 3 master’s students in various aspect of this research focus. I serve as principal investigator and co-investigator of 11 funded research project grants, and published in 49 peer-reviewed accredited journals and 35 conference papers and book chapters, “ he added.
His journey at DUT started as a postdoctoral fellow since 2009, under the supervision of a senior academic leader, Prof Krishnan Kanny. From 2013 to 2017, he was a research fellow and then become senior lecturer.
“I feel honoured being nominated for the two awards nominations and considering my research journey for such events. It simply motivates me to do better and keep getting the best out of it. For DUT as a whole, it helps to create visibility of the research work being carried out and improves their standing among its peers,” he divulged.
Dr Pandurangan said that in addition, the ENVISION2030 strategy adopted by DUT since recent past, clearly demonstrates where and how the DUT wants to position itself at national and international level. In his view, such support and recognition by the university clearly shows their vision is for thriving excellence.
He further commented that there are about 36 and11 similar nominees being nominated across all South African universities and research institutes for the researcher category award and special annual theme award, including a few DUT colleagues.
“All their profiles are very strong and representing home university itself is a great moment of pride and prestige. I wish to receive the recognition, however if not, it will be a great learning curve,” he confessed.
Dr Pandurangan shared on some of the preparations that entailed for entering the NSTF Awards.
“One has to fill the application form which is a lengthy evaluation document concerning tone’s entire career, research work, current and future plans, publications and other engagement. It was about a month long gruelling preparation of documents for the award application submission. Basically, it makes one to revisit their entire career journey from the start of their doctoral programme to current condition and plan for future outlook. Not only this, to state the contribution generated based on the career path,” he said.
Dr Pandurangan shared that he had been the recipient of other awards. He was awarded two postdoctoral fellowships, namely, NRF-SA postdoctoral fellowship and The Claude Leon Foundation postdoctoral fellowship.
“I am also an NRF rated researcher (established researcher). Recently, I was awarded to be a fellow of DHET(SA) sponsored flagship programme, Future Professors Programme (FPP). In addition, I was also awarded one of the top research publisher of DUT few times in the past 10 years,” he said proudly.
He proclaimed that he feels honoured being nominated for the award nominations, not just for him, but also for DUT and considering his research journey for such events.
“It simply motivates me to do better and keep getting the best out of it. For DUT as a whole, it helps to create visibility of the research work being carried out and improves their standing among its peers. In addition, ENVISION2030 strategy adopted by DUT since recent past, clearly demonstrates where and how the DUT wants to position itself at national and international level. In my view, such support and recognition by our university clearly shows their vision is for thriving excellence., “ he explained.
The humble Dr Pandurangan is very grateful for the opportunity to be able to compete with other equally, dynamic academics.
“Last but not least, I am so much thankful to all the colleagues of research office, my historical mentor and colleagues for making an enabling environment. I am also thankful to DUT for providing conducive environment to conduct and excel in our research activities,” he said proudly.
Also commenting on his outstanding nominations in the NSTF Awards was Prof Motaung, who expressed how proud she is of Dr Pandurangan and that his nominations talk to DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategic objectives that highlights that DUT people will be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial and adaptive to the changes of the world.
The Awards Gala event will be held on 13 July 2023. The event will happens simultaneously at Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Pictured: Dr Mohan Turup Panduranga.
Waheeda Peters
