The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Keolebogile Motaung is flying the DUT flag high. She has been recently nominated as one of the Strategic African Women in Leadership (SAWIL) Trailblazers Top 30 Finalist Pioneers of Transformation, Gender Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
She has been identified as one of the women who have shown great success, constant drive and achievement in their business and research field of work.
SAWIL is a vehicle for women leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals in Africa seeking to advance their careers through leadership training, executive coaching, entrepreneurship training, masterclasses, mentorship and networking. Its goal is to bring a more strategic approach towards women’s development and empowerment.
Prof Motaung, who has been nominated in the Top 30 Trailblazers Awards, is now recognised as a celebrated ‘mover and shaker’ who is an academic aiming to lead with passion, resilience, in her respective field of excellence. The public were given an opportunity to nominate leader(s) who understand the importance of lifting and actively champion the empowerment of women and girl children.
Speaking about her nomination, Prof Motaung said that she is ecstatic to be counted as one of the top 30 women leaders who are making a vital impact in their respective field of work. She explained that she loves what she does which is having a passion for commercialization of scientific research for economic and social benefits.
“I was very excited when I heard that I have been nominated as my nomination talks to DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategic objectives that highlights that DUT people will be creative, innovative, entrepreneurial and adaptive to the changes of the world. Having the passion to create value and to better people’s lives from research findings is my motto to ensure the success of students.” she commented.
Prof Motaung feels being nominated for this prestigious event, amongst remarkable women doing great things to improve the people’s lives is already for her. However, she is looking forward to being announced as one of the winners, which she stated will be a bonus for her.
Voting for the SAWIL Trailblazers Awards are now open, To vote for Prof Motaung, go to: https://sawil.africa/?p=2022-2023-finalists to vote.
Biography
Prof Motaung holds a D.Tech Biomedical Technology from Tshwane University of Technology in conjunction with the University of California, USA and obtained her M.Tech in Biomedical Technology at the Tshwane University of Technology. She obtained her B.Tech in Biomedical Technology at Technikon Witwatersrand while she graduated with her National Diploma in Medical Technology at Technikon Pretoria in 1992.
She is a Biomedical Scientist with more than 23 years’ experience in Higher Education. She is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd; and has developed a natural anti-inflammatory ointment, La-Africa Soother, offering preventative care to anticipated muscle aches. Prof Motaung has received numerous accolades and awards locally and internationally for bridging the gap between science and entrepreneurship.
Prof Motaung became part of the DUT community in November 2020 in the position of the Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation (TTI). On the 1st September 2022, she was appointed as the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement. The multi-skilled Prof Motaung is also at the forefront of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation which has helped many DUT students to turn their ideas into business and become job creators instead of job seekers.
Pictured: DUT Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Keolebogile Motaung.
Waheeda Peters/Simangele Zuma
