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SU honours top researchers and innovators
Author: Corporate Communications and Marketing
Published: 08/11/2024
​​​​With the end of the academic year in sight, the Research and Innovation Awards presented on 31 October provided an opportune way to celebrate the achievements of the crème de la crème at Stellenbosch University (SU). ​​Held at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), the gala dinner recognised excellence across various categories, including postgraduate students, early career researchers, established researchers, women in research, newly A-rated researchers, and outstanding postgraduate supervisors. 

The Conversation Africa, a nonprofit media platform that publishes news and analysis written by academics and researchers, also presented three awards to SU staff who have contributed to outstanding public engagement and research dissemination.

Impressive milestones

In her welcoming address Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said impactful research is one of the main drivers that measures the value add of SU to knowledge generation and high-end skills training. Moyo highlighted SU's vision to be Africa's leading research-intensive university, globally recognised for excellence, inclusivity and innovation.

“Our commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, research and innovation in service of society is enabled by our staff and students and an environment with a deep sense of purpose to make a contribution to improve our three biggest challenges as a country, namely unemployment, poverty and inequality," Moyo said.

She provided an overview of some impressive milestones achieved at SU over the past year, including the awarding of the prestigious Templeton Prize to Prof Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela for her work on historical trauma and reparative justice. Gobodo-Madikizela and her team at The Centre for the Study for the Afterlife of Violence and Reparative Quest (AVReQ), received the 2024 Vice-Chancellor's and Deputy Vice-Chancellor's Special Recognition Award.

Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers acknowledged the exceptional contributions of SU's scholars, whose work has bolstered the University's status among South Africa's top three research-intensive institutions. He highlighted that SU now boasts 505 NRF-rated researchers, including 21 A-rated scholars, and supports 345 postdoctoral fellows, all of whom contribute significantly to the University's robust research output.

Congratulating the winners, De Villiers said their contributions not only elevate SU but enhances the institution's capacity to advance knowledge and transform lives. “We are grateful for your hard work and determination. I have no doubt that your future endeavours will continue to inspire us all," De Villiers concluded.

Transformative leadership

In his vote of thanks Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning and incoming Rector and Vice-Chancellor, praised the award recipients for their contributions to cementing SU's reputation as a leading research-intensive university. “Over the last decade we've seen the most significant strides in Stellenbosch University becoming a research-intensive university. It happened through a concerted effort and intentional leadership in driving us forward to become one of the top research universities on the continent," Ramjugernath said.

Comments by some of the winners of the Research and Innovation Excellence Awards:

Prof Shahida Moosa, head of Medical Genetics at Tygerberg Hospital:

“This award in the category Women in Science means a lot to me, as I strive to be a role model for young women in science. My research group has been predominantly female by design since inception, and we have created a beautifully diverse and dynamic group, where women are empowered to explore fields like bioinformatics which are still very much male dominated. These young women, given the opportunity, show that they can excel. I am happy to be part of this. This is one way I am working towards real transformation within the University and within Science, and it is wonderful to have these efforts recognised."

Dr Cleo Conacher, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology:

“I am quite honoured to have been recognised as one of the top five postdoctoral research fellows at the University. It is always a welcome surprise when the work that delights you is also academically appreciated. Besides the individual achievement, the event highlighted the integral role of the contributions that postdoctoral research fellows make in the academic system and to research as a whole, which was wonderful to see."

 Dr Gibson Ncube, Department of Modern Foreign Languages:

“Winning the Conversation Africa Award is an incredible honour, and I am grateful for this recognition. For me, this award affirms the importance of bridging academia and the public by making our scholarly work accessible to broader audiences beyond the ivory towers of the academe. The award certainly inspires me to continue working on projects that make complex ideas approachable, relevant, and impactful."

Prof Evert Kleynhans, Associate Professor, Department of Military History:

"It is a great feeling when one's hard work and research output is recognised on a platform such as the annual SU Research and Innovation Excellence Awards. Moreover, the function allows the University's top researchers to mingle with one another in a social setting, which is always welcome."

Dr Tawanda Zininga, Department of Biochemistry:
“This award is a testimony to the support I received at SU mostly from our faculty of science and the Department of Biochemistry. It would not have been possible without the students who have contributed immensely to achieving this. I'm grateful to their contributions in this research and dedicate this award to them. I'm humbled to be selected among the top early career researchers who received this award. This recognition also boosts my confidence and drive to push forward our efforts towards finding solutions to the health challenges caused by malaria."

Prof Sope Williams, Professor: Department of Mercantile Law:

“I am so grateful for the Women in Research Award. There is really something about being recognised at 'home' that makes this award feel extra special. Although I've been the recipient of international awards for my research, the recognition from Stellenbosch University is heart-warming for me and makes me feel appreciated and loved. The recognition also makes me feel that my work is not in vain and that in my own way, I am making a difference through my research, teaching and advocacy on public procurement, anti-corruption and gender equality. I was deeply motivated and inspired to be in the same category as Prof Sandra Liebenberg, who is the only A-rated NRF scholar in the Faculty of Law. I will continue to strive to be the best that I can be and give the best that I can give to Stellenbosch University, to my students and the community."

FULL LIST OF 2024 WINNERS:

​2024 Research and Innovation Excellence Awards 
  
POSTGRADUATE STUDENT CATEGORY 
Dr Frederic BesterCivil Engineering
Dr Martinus MyburghMicrobiology
Dr Jana Van RooyenFood Sciences
Ms Dayna CroockBiomedical Sciences
Mr Jan-Hendrik DuminyChemical Engineering
Ms Alexandra VolkwynChemistry and Polymer Science
Dr Steve ChingwaruEarth Sciences
Dr Luckmore ChivandireSchool of Public Leadership
  
EARLY CAREER RESEARCHER CATEGORY 
Dr Marguerite BlignautMedical Physiology
Ms Munira HoosainHealth and Rehabilitation Sciences
Ms Mariam SaliePsychology
Dr Caitlin UrenBiomedical Sciences
Dr Tawanda ZiningaBiochemistry
Dr Boitumelo RamatsetseMechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
  
ESTABLISHED RESEARCHER CATEGORY 
Prof Soraya BardienBiomedical Sciences
Prof Novel ChegouBiomedical Sciences
Prof Savel DanielsBotany and Zoology
Prof Amanda GouwsPolitical Science
Prof Resia PretoriusPhysiological Sciences
Prof Gideon Van ZijlCivil Engineering
  
WOMEN IN RESEARCH CATEGORY 
Prof Kathryn ChuSurgical Sciences
Prof Sandra LiebenbergPublic Law
Prof Christine LochnerPsychiatry
Prof Shahida MoosaMolecular Biology and Human Genetics
Prof Sope WilliamsMerchantile Law
  
DVC INTERDISCIPLINARY/GROUP AWARDS 
Laboratory for the Economics of Africa`s Past (LEAP) 
South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) 
  
RECTOR AND VICE-CHANCELLOR`S RESEARCH FOR IMPACT AWARD 
Prof Clive GrayImmunology
  
POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION AWARDS 
Prof Meshach AziakponoEMS
Prof Jonathan JansenEducation
Prof Bert KlumpermanScience
Prof Leslie Le GrangeEducation
Prof Corné SchutteEngineering
Prof Sandra SwartFASS
Prof Grant TheronFMHS
Prof Jan Van VuurenEngineering
Prof Gideon Van ZijlEngineering
Prof Ranel VenterFMHS
Prof Cas WepenerTheology
Prof Gideon WolfaardtScience
Prof Taryn YoungFMHS
  
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER/INNOVATION AWARDS 
BioTrac Technology 
Urobo Biotech 
  
VICE-CHANCELLOR/DVC SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD 
The Centre for the Study of the Afterlife of Violence and the Reparative Quest (AVReQ)
  
AWARDS FOR NEWLY A-RATED RESEARCHERS 
Prof Zander MyburgGenetics, AgriSciences
Prof H. Simon SchaafPaediatrics and Child Health
Prof Herman WassermanJournalism
  
DVC TOP RESEARCH OUTPUT AWARDS 
Prof Johan FourieEconomic and Management Sciences
Prof Evert KleynhansMilitary Sciences
Prof Oluwole MakindeMilitary Sciences
Prof Soraya SeedatMedicine and Health Sciences
Prof Robin WarrenMedicine and Health Sciences
  
POSTDOCTORAL AWARDS 
Dr Michelle BothaDepartment of Global Health
Dr Cleo ConacherMicrobiology
Dr George TekeChemical Engineering
Dr Happy TshivhulaBiomedical Sciences
Dr Francois Van SchalkwykCREST
Prof Robbie LuckayChemistry and Polymer Science
Prof Craig McGregorMechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
Dr Monika MoirCERI, School for Data Science and Computational Thinking
  
The Conversation Awards 
Prof Johann KirstenBureau for Economic Research
Wandile SihloboAgricultural Economics
Dr Gibson NcubeModern Foreign Languages

 

 

 

 

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