Unisa online - Researchers honoured for their critical role in society

The culmination of an eventful Research and Innovation Week reached a crescendo with the awards gala dinner held on 15 March 2012. An impressive number of researchers were honoured for their efforts in various academic disciplines.

The categories included 2012 NRF Y-Rated Awards, 2012 NRF B-Rated Awards, 2012 NRF C-Rated Awards, the 2012 Women Youngest Doctoral Graduate for 2011, the 2012 Women Resilience Research Award, the 2012 Women Developing Research Award, the 2012 Women Research in Leadership Award, the Hiddingh-Currie Award, the 2011 Prestigious National Research Award, the 2011 Principal’s Award for Excellence in Research, and the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research.

Metro FM broadcaster, Kgopedi oa Namane, acted as the master of ceremonies for the event, setting the stage for Prof Mamokgethi Setati (Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation), who ensured that Unisa’s Research and Innovation Week was a resounding success. Prof Setati was quick to point out that research had grown to now deliver meaningful contributions. “We believe that research is more than an isolated intellectual exercise. It’s about finding practical solutions to real-world problems, empowering the local economy with new technology and collaborating across disciplines on new areas of knowledge.”

She also singled out praise for the university’s researchers for their help in advancing cultural development and uplifting communities, all the while fulfilling their roles as academics. Despite the gains made, Prof Setati believes there’s even more room for improvement. She urged the current generation to support young researchers. “Researching means exploring new, unknown paths with patience and persistence without losing heart even when setbacks occur. Setbacks do occur and we must encourage our young researchers to stay the course, no matter what!” Click here for Prof Setati’s full address.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor , Prof Mandla Makhanya, took to the podium, amusing those attending with a joke about Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. However, his tone quickly turned serious, lamenting the fact that Africa was still trailing the rest of the world in terms of research and innovation. “Few of us would disagree that when it comes to research, Africa is trailing the West and many developing nations, and that we have a long way to go to reach the goals which we have set for ourselves.”

Prof Makhanya was not without optimism, though, stating that he believes the institution’s academics can lead the way in terms of African Research and Innovation. “The University of South Africa is intent on growing our research capacity and outputs. We are deeply sensitive to the need for innovation in selecting, channeling and growing our research efforts.” He was also pleased with the university’s recent collaboration with India in the field of Nanotechnology. Click here for Prof Makhanya’s full address.

2012 NRF-Rated Researchers - Y, B & C: Left to right, front to back: Prof Saka Abdulkareem (CSET, Y2); Prof Elmarie Kritzinger (CSET, Y2), Prof RM Setati (Professional and Administrative Research Group, B2); Dr Simon Dhlamini (CSET, Y2); Prof Malose Mphahlele (CSET, C2); Prof Patrick Ngulube (CGS, C2); Prof Tinyiko Maluleke (Professional and Administrative Research Group, B3); Prof Marietjie Frick (CSET, B2); Prof Rena van den Bergh (CLAW, B3); Prof Marisa Keuris (CHS, C2); Prof Lessing Labuschagne (CSET, C2); Prof Magdel le Roux (CHS, C2); Prof Rachel Barker (CHS, C2); Prof Susan van Aardt ( CSET, C2); Prof Izak Spangenberg (CHS, C2); Prof Kobus Wessels (CEMS, C2); Prof Wilhelm Wessels (CHS, C2); and Prof Moritz Braun (CSET, C2). Other rated researchers (not pictured) include Prof Hugo Lotriet (CSET, C3); Prof Hester Nienaber (CEMS, C3); Prof Alastair Smith (CLAW, C2); and Prof Viyaja Vallabhapurapu (CHS, C2).	2012 Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Research: Front to back, left to right: Prof Mandla Makhanya, Prof Mamokgethi Setati, Prof Rothney Tshaka (CHS), Prof Melodie Slabbert (CLAW), Prof Leslie Brown (CAES), Dr Jessica Murray (CHS), Prof Malose Mphahlele (CSET), Prof Viyaja Vallabhapurapu (CSET), David Hedding (CAES), Prof Trudie Steyn (CEDU), Prof Eleanor Lemmer (CEDU), Prof Melinde Coetzee (CEMS), Prof Nicholas Odhiambo (CEMS), Prof John van der Poll (CSET) & Prof Philip Bosman (CHS). Other recipients (not pictured) include Prof Johan Prinsloo (CLAW), Prof Ayo Afolabi (CSET), Prof Patrick Ngulube (CGS) & the Bureau of Market Research group.	2012 Women Research in Leadership Award: Front from left: Prof Corinne Meier (CEDU), Prof Lindiwe Zungu (CHS), Prof Melodie Slabbert (CLAW), Prof Agata Krzychylkiewicz (CHS); Back from left: Prof Breggie van der Poll (CEMS), Prof Ilsa Basson (CSET), Prof Ruth de Villiers (CSET) & Prof Valerie Ehlers (CHS). Also recognised in this category (not pictured) was Prof Trudie Steyn (CEDU).
2011 Principal's Award for Excellence in Research: Front from left: Prof Inderasan Naidoo (CSET), Prof Mandla Makhanya, Prof Mamokgethi Setati; Back from left: Chris de Wet (CHS), Prof Anel Ferreira-Snyman (CLAW), Prof Kedibone Phago (CEMS) & Prof. Elmarie Kritzinger (CSET). Also recognised in this category (not pictured) were Jacobus Vermeulen (CEMS) and Prof Ayo Afolabi (CSET).	2012 Women Developing Researcher Award: Front from left: Dr Tintswalo Manyike (CEDU), Dr Elizabeth du Plessis (CEDU), Dr Velisiwe Gasa (CEDU), Bernadine Benson (CLAW); Back from left: Dr Mpine Makoe (CGS), Ednah Onyari (CSET), Jo-Ansie van Wyk (CHS) and Gwenneth Miller (CHS).	2011 Prestigious National Research Award: Front from left: Prof Mpfari Budeli (CLAW) for South African Young Academy of Science, SAYAS; Prof Mamokgethi Setati for NSTF TW Kambule Award for a senior black female researcher over the last 5-10 years; Back from left: Prof Melodie Slabbert (CLAW) for Hugo de Groot Society National Award for the best overall research contribution in the 'Journal of Contemporary Roman Dutch Law', published by LexisNexis during 2011; and Prof Tinyiko Maluleke (Deputy Registrar) who was admitted to the Academy of Science of South Africa, ASSAf.
Prof Anthony Court (CGS) accepts the 2011/2012 Hiddingh-Currie Award from Prof Mamokgethi Setati and Prof Mandla Makhanya. This was in recognition for his book entitled 'Hannah Arendt’s responses to the crisis of her times'. Dr Court works as a Senior Researcher at Unisa’s Primedia Chair of Holocaust and Genocide Studies in CGS.	2012 Women Resilience in Research, from left: Prof Keshnee Padayachee (CSET) & Dr Danisile Ntuli (CHS)	2012 Women Youngest Doctoral Graduate for 2011: Dr Marlene Wethmar-Lemmer, College of Law