The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will host the official launch of its new state-of-the-art facility at the Steve Biko Campus in Durban on Thursday, 18 July 2019.

The IWWT was initially established in 1994 as the Centre for Water Research at the former Natal Technikon and subsequently evolved into the Centre for Water and Wastewater Technology. The Centre was one of 13 NRF recognized research niche areas in South Africa and in 2011, it was granted the Institute status by the Durban University of Technology and formally recognized as an Institute since 2012.

The core research areas at the IWWT are wastewater treatment technology, algal biotechnology and environmental health related microbiology. Projects undertaken by the IWWT are selected and designed in close consultation with industrial partners, with the aim of assisting industries to maintain acceptable levels of effluent discharges and to meet the ever increasing energy requirements. 

“Projects undertaken by the IWWT are designed and developed to meet the ever-growing needs of the water sector in South Africa. The Institute offers post-graduate programmes in a wide spectrum of disciplines in science and engineering. These projects have a high applied value, which increases the marketability of students conducting the research. The strength of the Institute lies in its commitment to develop essential skills through student training. The IWWT’s approach is multi-disciplinary, combining the skills of biotechnology, chemistry, environmental health and various engineering disciplines to satisfy the research needs of the water sector,” said the award-winning and internationally recognized IWWT Director, Professor Faizal Bux.

The guest speaker for the official launch will be the Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Dr Molapo Qhobela.

Dr Qhobela is a seasoned executive leader with extensive policy and administration experience that has seen him head up the development of a significant number of policy and strategy documents, which have shaped the nature and operations of South African universities as well as the education system in general. He has exceptional knowledge of the South African Higher Education System and the National System of Innovation, and has established well-seeded international relationships and networks with funders and government entities over the years.

Pictured: The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) building will be officially unveiled on Thursday, 18 July 2019.

Nduduzo Ndlovu