DUT recently hosted the Annual Council Awards at the Hotel School, Ritson Campus, which gave recognition to DUT academic staff for research-work done in various faculties as well as DUT students who excelled in the various sporting codes.
Giving the keynote address was Wiseman Madinane, Deputy Chairman of the DUT Council, who said that the University has been growing in leaps and bounds in terms of research, stressing that more recognition must be given to the researchers for their hard work. “The council wanted a more direct way of acknowledging achievements amongst the University and therefore these staff should be presented with a formal award. You must continue to strive to grow in terms of research. We are realising our (DUT’s) vision of being a student centred University and we are expecting more from you (staff and students). To stay at the top is a challenge and we want you to stay at the top,” he said.
In the Engineering/Science category, awards were given to Prof DS IIcev- 12.50 units (Technology, Innovation and Partnerships), Prof Bux- 5.99 units (Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology) and Prof B Odhav- 4.50 units (Biotechnology).
In the Management Sciences/Social Sciences category, awardees were given to Prof N Dorasamy- 7.50 units (Faculty of Management Sciences), Prof JP Govender- 4.91 units (Marketing Retail and PR), Prof N Sibiya- 3.16 units (Nursing ) and Prof R Balkaran- 3 units (Faculty of Management Sciences).
Recognition was also given to newly NRF-rated researchers using the NRF rating system which is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa.
The new NRF-rated researchers are:
– Professor TA Stenstrom, Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, B3 rating.
– Professor J Adeyemo, Civil Engineering, Y2 rating.
– Dr E Amonsou, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Y2 rating.
– Dr N Venugopala, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Y1 rating.
Current NRF-rated researchers for 2015 were also given recognition for their work done.
Recognition awards were also given to DUT students excelling in sports. They were:
– Lindelani Ngubane, in recognition of representing the KZN Basketball Association at the National Tournament (2014) and being the 2013 DUT Basketball player of the year.
– Musa Mahlaba, for his participation in the National Proteas Wushu Team at the 6th World Traditional Wushu Championships in China.
– Lee Geeson, for representing South Africa at the 2014 World Lifesaving Championships in France.
– Carmel Billson, in recognition for being captain of the 2014 National Lifesaving Team and participating in the World Rescue Championships in France.
– Luke Pendock for representing Swimming South Africa in Australia for the 2014 BHP Aquatics 5 Nations Series and Swimming South Africa in Doha for the 2014 World Championships.
– Priya Pillay, for representing Karate South Africa at the 2014 African Zone 6 in Zambia and receiving a silver and gold medal in the competition.
– Theogran Pillay, for representing Karate South Africa at the 2014 Unified Federations of African Karate Championships in Senegal and Karate South Africa at the 2014 Senior World Championships in Germany.
– Sanelisiwe Gwacela for being the 2014 DUT Netball Player of the Year, Outstanding Player in the University Sport South Africa (USSA) National Games and representing Umgungundlovu in the National South African Local Government Games (SALGA)
– Thandeka Mbona, for winning a gold medal in the University Sport South Africa (USSA) National Karate Tournament.
– Waheeda Peters
Pictured: Prof Nirmala Dorasamy receiving her award from DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Ahmed Bawa and Chairperson of the DUT Council, Dr Jairam Reddy. Also pictured is Carmel Billson receiving her award in recognition for being captain of the 2014 National Lifesaving Team and participating in the World Rescue Championships in France.
