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15 DUT Excellence 2025 | Semester 1In his role as Chairman, DUT%u2019s Professor Krishna Bisetty facilitated the planning and coordination of the 7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry, which took place in April 2025 in Durban, and was organised by ElectrochemSA-the Electrochemistry Division of the South African Chemical Institute (SACI). %u201cThis biennial event rotates locations, and in 2023, it was unanimously agreed that Durban would host in 2025. This was based on our research track record in electrochemistry,%u201d he said.Prof Bisetty is a full professor in the Department of Chemistry at DUT, a NRF C1-rated scientist and a science educator with 33 years of teaching experience at DUT. He leads the Computational Modelling and Bioanalytical Chemistry research group, with strong national and international collaborations. He is a co-author of over 130 international papers, 10 book chapters, a supervisor to over 30 masters and doctoral students and more than six postdoctoral fellows. He has served on several conference organising committees and his work has been presented at local and international conferences. Prof Bisetty helped to form a local organising committee with volunteers from DUT and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). His role enabled him to work closely with the secretariat of SACI Mrs Laila Smith, and the current and past chairs of ElectrochemSA. Prof Bisetty said, %u201cI also liaised with the leaders in the field. I oversaw the venue, programme, resources and sponsorships. I coordinated with plenary and keynote speakers and key participants to ensure their availability and preparedness.%u201d Prior to that, Prof Bisetty%u2019s role was to ensure that the symposium%u2019s theme and content aligned with the goals of the organisation and the interests of the attendees. %u201cI, together with the scientific organising committee, reviewed and selected abstracts to be included in the programme. We lead the symposium sessions, introduced speakers and guided discussions to ensure they remained on track and productive,%u201d he said.Prof Bisetty fostered connections among attendees, speakers and sponsors to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing. He emphasised that as a leader, the guidance provided also set the tone for DUT%u2019S PROF BISETTY SHONE AS CHAIR OF THE PRESTIGIOUS 7TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ELECTROCHEMISTRYthe event, ensuring that it ran smoothly and achieved its objectives, which was to help create an interactive and collaborative environment by facilitating discussions and networking opportunities. %u201cI believe that the chairperson is vital in shaping the symposium%u2019s overall impact and ensuring it meets the expectations of all participants,%u201d he said.Highlights pertained to electrochemistry, a dynamic and interdisciplinary field that explores the interactions between electrical energy and chemical changes, encompassing a wide range of applications. The main scientific themes revolved around sensors and biosensors; electroanalytical chemistry; electrochemistry for water treatment, energy, environment, food, process industries; electrocatalysis; electrochemistry of materials; and computational electrochemistry.Prof Bisetty indicated that the ENVISION2030 strategic objectives of DUT focus on creating a transformative and sustainable future through four key perspectives: stewardship, systems and processes, sustainability and society. %u201cIn terms of stewardship, I helped to nurture a peoplecentred culture by providing resources and tools that embody DUT%u2019s values and principles. This included supporting initiatives that promoted collective responsibility and accountability,%u201d he said.He assisted in fostering an engaged university community by providing tools and resources that enhanced student experiences and supported holistic development.Future objectives are to provide a forum where researchers in the field of electrochemistry can exchange ideas on their ongoing research. The symposium aims to facilitate ample networking opportunities with industry partners and foster collaborations. Prof Bisetty emphasised the importance of interaction between delegates and industry representatives.The local organising committee (LoC) members were Prof K. Bisetty (Chair), Dr V. Paul; Ms C.T. Gwamanda, Ms N.M. Xhakaza, Dr T. Mokhothu, Dr Gloria Uwaya, Dr P. Hloma and Dr A. Bissessur (UKZN). For more information on the symposium, go to: https://www.saci.co.za/ElecrochemSA/7th_home.htmlPictured: Professor Krishna Bisetty, the Chairperson of the 7th International Symposium on Electrochemistry.