Research Group Start-up Workshop

Participants and Presentations
Proceedings
Programme
Gallery

Dr Bloodless Dzwairo (Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology)

Host – Prof Fred AO Otieno (DVC: TIP)

The workshop took place on 15-16 August 2012 at Steven Biko Campus, Research Boardroom.

Objectives of the workshop were:

  • To brief the Water Quality Modelling Research Group on the Post Doctoral research focus and how each student’s research topic contributed towards the Post Doctoral outputs.
    • Prof Fred Otieno
  • To build team spirit among students and supervisors: Presentations
    • Prof Fred AO Otieno – DVC: Technology, Innovation and Partnerships and Host of research at DUT
    • Dr Bloodless Dzwairo – Post Doc Fellow and research leader at DUT Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology
    • Prof George M Ochieng’ – Associate Professor and supervisor at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT): Civil Engineering Department
    • Prof Innocent Nhapi – Co-supervisor at University of Zimbabwe: Civil Engineering Department
    • Mr Innocent Rangeti – MTech student at DUT: Environmental Department
    • Mr Eugine Makaya – DTech student at DUT: Civil Engineering Department
    • Mr Nkwonta Onyeka – DTech student at DUT: Civil Engineering Department
    • Mrs Annatoria Chinyama – DTech student at TUT: Civil Engineering Department
    • Mr Talent D Banda – MTech student at TUT: Civil Engineering Department
    • Mr Ramogale C Sekwele – prospective student
    • Mr Mabaso Magezi – DTech student at TUT: Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences (registration in progress)
  • To expose the team to Vaal and Umgeni basins research needs, from a stakeholder’s perspective: Presentations
    • Prof Faizal Bux: Director at the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, DUT. He welcomed the participants
    • Ms Kim Hogdson: Umgeni Water (Water Quality Management) presented information on uMngeni and Msunduzi catchments’ raw water quality challenges, as well as the water quality management needs and challenges
    • Rachi Rajagopaul, Sachita Budhram, Naheen Toolsee and Debbie Trollip: Umgeni Water (Process Services) presented on water and wastewater treatment process research needs
    • Prof Jannie Maree: Rand Water Professorial Chair in Water Utilisation at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Department of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences (Vaal basin research needs and challenges)
    • Prof Innocent Nhapi: SADC water research perspective through the WaterNet Professorial Chair portfolio
    • Prof Thor-Axel Stenstrom: an international perspective on water research
    • Mr Shabeer Khan and Mr Artwell Mhlope: Nagle dam research tour by Umgeni Water provided a perspective on Umngeni catchment and dam water quality and sampling, in addition to information regarding dam operation and management
  • To expose students to Postgraduate research tools and techniques
    • Prof Sibusiso Moyo: Director of Research and Postgraduate Support at DUT exposed participants to postgraduate financial matters and to DUT’s research focus
    • Dr Poovie Reddy: Head of Environmental Health and Community Health Studies at DUT, gave a talk on Research methodology from an environmental perspective
    • Dr Josiah Adeyemo: Senior Lecturer at DUT Civil Engineering Department sensitised students to the important of time management during postgraduate research as research design and methodology from an engineering perspective
    • Prof George M Ochieng’ talked on the importance of proper planning, data requirements and analysis, structure of dissertation and potential outputs
    • Prof Innocent Nhapi presented on literature review
    • Ms Avenal Finlayson: Postgraduate Librarian exposed students and supervisors to Postgraduate facilities at DUT and conducted practical sessions
  • To critique students work, all of which was still at the proposal stage
    • All Participants

Outputs

Research Workshop Proceedings

Acknowledgements
Sponsorship

Durban University of Technology
Rand Water Professorial Chair in Water Utilisation at Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences

Future Activites

A second Research Workshop is planned for early next year (2013) to gauge and report on progress