The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) through the Research and Innovation Office hosted the 2025 Research & Innovation Week on Monday and Tuesday, 6-7 October 2025 at King Bhekuzulu Hall.
The two-day event was held with the intention of celebrating, showcasing and advancing the culture of research and innovation within the institution. Decolonizing research for impact and global relevance was the theme for the week.
It was attended by multiple key figures in the research and innovation space, among which was Professor Nceba Gqaleni, Research Professor and Acting Academic Leader: Discipline of Traditional Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Prof Gqaleni’s presentation delved deep into the crucial space traditional medicine occupies in the medical discipline, making references to pivotal moments in history when traditional medicine charted the course for some of the world’s longstanding medical practices such as caesarian section.
attendees also received nuggets of wisdom from Dr Rujeko Chidawanyika, Research Associate , Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI). She spoke on exploring community engagement and ethics in advancing research in an African context.
On the second day of the event, the focus was on bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Professor Nokukhanya Jili-Mbanjwa, Acting Director: Research and Innovation at UNIZULU boasted about the institution’s current strategy about food innovation.
“Our University is very strong in food innovation, so we are working on several indigenous projects, indigenous plants to produce different products that can be commercialised,” she said.
The event included an exhibition where various innovators showcased their revolutionary products.
– Ntombezinhle Zwane
Pictures: James Thwala
