​​Stellenbosch University (SU)'s Research and Innovation Excellence Award ceremony was held at STIAS on Monday 30 October 2023. The awards recognised researchers, postdoctoral research fellows and postgraduate students who contributed in one of the award categories: postgraduate students; early career researchers; established researchers; women in research; awards for newly A-rated researchers; postgraduate supervision; technology transfer/innovation; research outputs; The Conversation Africa awards for science communication; postdoctoral research fellows; a DVC Interdisciplinary/Group award; as well as a Rector and Vice-Chancellor'​​​​s Research for Impact Award.

Research-related activities and outputs make a critical contribution to expanding SU's national and international reputation as an excellent research-intensive university that advances knowledge in service of society.

More importantly is the fact that new knowledge generated at SU in this manner is transferred to a broader national and global audience, thus enhancing the application of research results and the establishment of high-level human capacity.

The awards therefore give recognition to individuals for their exceptional and excellent contribution towards SU`s research enterprise. They have been engaged in high qualify research, knowledge transfer, or research-related activities over a sustained period of time and therefore deserve acknowledgement for the impact of their work.

In her opening address, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, highlighted the fact that SU relies on the research and innovation expertise of its people, excellent infrastructure and an impeccable reputation to deliver high quality training, produce new knowledge and conduct research needed to solve some of the pressing problems in our environment and society. Impactful research is one of the main drivers that measures the value add of SU to knowledge generation and high-end skills training. “We therefore celebrate this group of awardees, but also everyone who has been nominated in the various categories. We also want to thank the Faculties, Departments, Schools, Research Centers and Institutes for creating enabling spaces for these researchers and students to thrive. This year we introduced a nomination process and a few more categories to look at the broader impact of the research beyond focusing only on the number of publications but also the impact of the research outcomes", she added.

Prof Wim De Villiers, Rector, and Vice-Chancellor, congratulated the awardees who contribute to SU's strategic vision of becoming Africa's leading research-intensive institution: “One of SU's core strategic themes is Research for Impact. And the impact our researchers are making - on Stellenbosch University's reputation and influence as a world-class institution that produces excellent research, and within their fields of expertise in South Africa, Africa and beyond – that's a legacy to be proud of."

You can find the awards ceremony booklet with the names of all the nominees in the different categories here: https://bit.ly/3FGNMGJ