Unisa hosted the 12^th edition of its annual Research and Innovation Awards at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research International Convention Centre on 21 April 2023.

The event served to honour 104 of the institution's world-class researchers and innovators who truly live up to the institution's 150th anniversary theme, "Reclaiming Africa’s Intellectual Futures".

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (front, second from right), with some of the awardees at the 2023 Research and Innovation Awards

A brighter future for the world

In her opening address, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Puleng LenkaBula, expressed her deepest appreciation for the astounding work and ground-breaking research that academics continue to pursue.

The VC said the significant pressure on higher education to produce impactful research is well aligned with the development initiatives of the continent, the country and the global arena through the National Development Plan, the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

She stated that Unisa, as a leader recognised in notable global rankings, must participate in a range of sustainable development practices in ensuring that knowledge is not just for the elite, but that it impacts positively to the transformation that societies require, including the socio-political , economic and climate conservation arenas.

She continued: "We would like to celebrate that despite the challenges that we experience in the world, they do not overwhelm our researchers. Instead, they invite them to become partners with society to ensure that they address these challenges, be it on climate, ecology, affordable and clean energy, gender, equality or partnerships for education. It is for this reason that Unisa is considered among the top 400 institutions in the world that pay attention to global impacts and sustainable practices."

Research inspired by real-life challenges

Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation

"We present these awards because we strive for excellence at Unisa," said Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, in welcoming distinguished academics and guests. She said institutional recognition is highly prized among Unisa researchers, and, she continued "certainly spurs them on to produce quality research which is key in supporting Unisa’s academic agenda". 

Meyiwa stated that some awardees who are not present, are hard at work across the globe, stating that they are being innovative and stretch the margins of their research projects, which, she said, reaffirms Unisa’s research commitment.

She continued: "They are committed to excellence as they are walking a fine line between being out there and ensuring that their research is being impactful."

Meyiwa also stated that Unisa’s researchers are inspired by true-life stories, and their contribution show how they live up to the institution’s mantra of shaping futures in the service of humanity.

Standing ovation for Chancellor’s awardees

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research – the highest award for research at Unisa –  was presented to Prof Michael van Wyk (College of Education – CEDU), Prof Xinying Liu (College of Science, Engineering and Technology – CSET), Prof Kevin Mearns (College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences –  CAES), Prof Omwoyo Onyancha (CHS), Prof Puleng Segalo (CHS) and Prof Memory Tekere (CAES). Prof Marcia Mkanzi (College of Economic and Management Sciences – CEMS) received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation. The awardees were celebrated with boisterous cheers and a standing ovation.

Chancellor’s awardees for Excellence in Research (from left): Prof Puleng Segalo (CHS), Prof Omwoyo Onyancha (CHS), Prof Memory Tekere (CAES), Prof Xinying Liu (CSET), Prof Michael van Wyk (CEDU) and Prof Kevin Mearns (CAES)

Women research champions celebrated

Prof Marcia Mkanzi (CEMS) received the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation

In the category Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation Award for Excellence in Research – Women in Research, the Youngest Female Doctoral Graduate Award went to Dr Lettah Sikhosana (College of Education – CEDU), and the Emerging Researcher Award jointly to Dr Mpho-Entle Puleng Modise (CEDU) and Dr Khomotso Semenya (CAES).

Awards for commercialising research

In the category Innovation and Commercialisation Awards, Prof Lukas Snyman (CSET) received the awards for First Patent Granted in Examining Jurisdictions, and Recognition for Intellectual Property Applications. Prof Hennie Stoffberg (CSET) received the award for First Patent Granted in South Africa, and Prof Marcia Mkansi (CEMS) the Copyright award.

National recognition

Celebrated also were Unisa researchers recognised by the National Research Foundation through its rating awards. Unisa saw an upsurge in new and newly rerated NRF recipients, with seven Y2 recipients, one Y1, ten C3, twenty-five C2, five C1, four B2, one B1 and one A2.

The 2023 Unisa Research and Innovation Awards once again recognised the academic grit of Unisa academics who continue to climb high in international recognition and stature. Their passion ensures that Unisa remains the university of choice for many in Africa and across the globe.

#Unisa150

*   By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement
** Photography by Given Maluleka, Multimedia Centre