Stellenbosch University
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SU scientists compete for prestigious NSTF/South32 Awards
Author: Corporate Communication / Korporatiewe Kommunikasie [Alec Basson]
Published: 13/06/2018

As was the case in previous years, Stellenbosch University (SU) will again be well represented at the 2017/ 2018 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards. With six researchers among the finalists, SU stands a good chance of bagging a few awards.

The annual NSTF/South32 award ceremony recognises, celebrates and rewards outstanding excellence in Science, Engineering, Technology (SET) and Innovation in South Africa. The NSTF/South32 Awards are the largest, most prestigious and most sought-after public SET and innovation awards in in the country.

The winners will be announced on Thursday 28 June at a gala event at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park where Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, Minister of Science and Technology, and official Patron of the NSTF/South32 Awards, will be presenting the prizes.

According to the organisers, it is an extraordinary honour to be a finalist given the quality of the nominations received every year, the fierce competition that nominees face, and growing interest over the years.

The finalists from SU and the categories in which they have been nominated are as follows:

Dr Thorsten Becker (Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering)

  • TW Kambule-NSTF Award for emerging researchers who contributed to research and its outputs over a period of up to six years.

Prof Resia Pretorius (Department of Physiological Sciences)

  • TW Kambule Award-NSTF Award for researchers who contributed to research and its outputs over a period of up to six years.

Prof Cang Hui (Department of Mathematical Sciences)

  • TW Kambule Award for researchers who contributed to research and its outputs over a period of up to six years.

Prof Coenrad Fourie (Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering)

  • Innovation Award (Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise) for innovations and their research and/or Development by teams, individuals or organisations.

Prof Brian van Wilgen (Department of Botany and Zoology)

  • NSTF-GreenMatter Award for achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a Greener Economy over the last five to ten years

Dr Willem Botes (Department of Genetics)

  • Innovation Award (Corporate organisation) in for innovations and their research and/or Development by teams, individuals or organisations.