Stellenbosch University (SU) has smashed its own record for the number of finalists from the institution competing at the annual National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards. This year 17 finalists will represent SU at South Africa's 'Science Oscars'. The previous record was eight in 2017. Of the 17 finalists, seven are from the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The NSTF/South32 Awards recognise, celebrate and reward excellence and outstanding contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation by SET-related professionals and organisations in the country. Among the competitors are experienced scientists, engineers, innovators, science communicators, engineering capacity builders, organisational managers and leaders, as well as data and research managers. The winners will be announced on Thursday, 27 June at a gala event in Gauteng.

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 from the SET community over the years.

The SU finalists (with department or environment) and the categories in which they have been nominated are as follows:

Lifetime Award:

• Prof Dave Richardson (Botany and Zoology/Centre for Invasion Biology)
• Prof Gerard Walzl (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)

TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher through research and its outputs (by an individual up to 15 years as a researcher, predominantly in South Africa):

• Prof Novel Njweipi Chegou (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)
• Prof Anton du Plessis (Central Analytical Facility)
• Prof Riaan Rudman (School of Accountancy)

TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher through research and its outputs (by an individual up to six years in research, predominantly in South Africa):

• Dr Bahareh Bagheri (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)
• Ms Netanya Bernitz (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)     
• Mrs Sophia Magaretha Brink (School of Accountancy)
• Ms Josephine Chileshe (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)
• Dr Wynand J Goosen (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics/Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research)
• Mr Stephan le Roux (Central Analytical Facility)
• Dr Eduard Roos (Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics)
• Dr Bjorn Phillip von der Heyden (Department of Earth Sciences)

Data for Research Award: for advancing the availability, management and use of data for research (by an individual or an organisation):

• The Central Analytical Facility Team with Prof Anton du Plessis as team leader

Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last five to ten years):

• The Solar Thermal Energy Research Group (STERG) with Prof Sybrand Johannes van der Spuy as team leader.

Communication Award: for outreach and creating awareness of SET and innovation (by a team or individual over the last five years):

• Mrs Wiida Fourie-Basson (Media Officer and Science Writer: Faculty of Science)

Special Annual Theme Award: Materials for inclusive economic development (in recognition of the 'International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements' as declared by the United Nations