Unisa continues to take the lead in embracing the role of technology in research and innovation. The university hosted the remarkable Research and Innovation Postgraduate Student Showcase (RIPSS), which supports the advancement of future researchers who will be of great value and effect in their contribution to the African continent and the rest of the world.

The RIPSS is one of the initiatives in which the College of Graduate Studies collaborates with the National Student Representative Council and the Department of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation to develop the research and innovation skills of postgraduate students at Unisa. This year's RIPSS programme began with preparing postgraduate students who came with various research abstracts from different disciplines. The students who submitted the best abstracts were offered mentorship and training on multiple levels. They were also advised on their research and innovation presentations.

The theme of this year's RIPSS was Navigating all things in research using the power of technology. The Acting Executive Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, Prof Tennyson Mgutshini, gave a welcome address on behalf of the Vice-Principal of the Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation Portfolio, Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa. He mentioned issues that stand out and make technology critical to Unisa's primal existence.

He said Unisa is a comprehensive open distance e-learning (CODeL) institution and therefore needs to embrace its move towards becoming an e-based entity in its totality. He added that the Covid-19 pandemic had made technology an essential resource. Therefore, every Unisa graduate must have technological capabilities. The RIPSS showcase contributes to equipping postgraduate students for the workplace since technology is a vital feature of current professional vacancies.

On the first day of the showcase, postgraduate students were allowed to present their abstracts from various disciplines in breakaway rooms with experienced adjudicators and an audience.

On the second day of the showcase, virtual awards were presented by Prof Khanyisile Mbatha, the Acting Director of the School of Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies. In addressing the students at the awards ceremony, Mbatha said: "Postgraduate students, you are not registered only to acquire information or technical skills but also to be intensely involved in research and innovation to solve the current and future challenges in different horizons." He added: "By doing so, the community, society, country, continent and the globe will be relevant and sustainable in this unpredictable environment we live in." There were winners and runners-up in each discipline.

The College of Graduate Studies would like to congratulate the winners. From the discipline of arts and humanities (CHS), we would like to congratulate the Honours and Postgraduate Diploma winner, Lebohang Prudance Mbonambi; the Master's winner, Michelle Beverley van Zyl; and the Doctoral winner, Amogelang Isaac Molaudzi. From the discipline of natural and physical sciences (CAES and CSET), we would like to congratulate the Honours and Postgraduate Diploma winner, Clint Raynor Morar; the Master's winner, Tumelo Nhlapho; and the Doctoral winner, Haripriya Rama. From the social sciences discipline (CAS, CEDU, CEMS, CLAW and SBL), we would like to congratulate the Honours and Postgraduate Diploma winner, Seliki Barnard Nkgweng; the Master's winner, Themba Genius Nkosi; and the Doctoral winner, Zamandlovu Sizile.

Through the contributions of all research and innovation participants, we are encouraged that our future as a country, a continent and the globe will be glorious. 

* By Hanli Wolhuter, Communication and Marketing Specialist and Musa Buthelezi, Intern, College of Graduate Studies