UNIZULU recently hosted its 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Research-Innovation and Teaching Excellence Awards Ceremony at the Umfolozi Casino Dome in Empangeni. The event was honoured by the Vice- Chancellor and Principal Professor Xoliswa Mtose, Executive Management, deans, select academic and support staff and award recipients.
The Awards Ceremony was directed by Prof Byron Brown, Director of Research and Innovation. In kick-starting the event, Professor Byron Brown, Director of Research and Innovation, said, “The Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards is the grand culmination of celebration of the success of our researchers, innovators and knowledge disseminators. It is the highest accolade for achievement in research, innovation and teaching at UNIZULU. The aim of the VC Excellence Awards is to recognise members of the UNIZULU community who make an outstanding contribution to the University’s strategic mission – and whose work has been beneficial to the University and society.”
In her opening remarks, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation Prof Nokuthula Kunene reiterated: “This ceremony is for recognition of extraordinary effort, determination and brilliance demonstrated by academic staff throughout the academic year. It is a day to honour and acknowledge excellence in teaching, research, and community engagement qualities which are core pillars of our institution.”
Keynote Address
The keynote speaker at the event was Sbusiso Manana, who currently holds the position of Head: Agriculture Business Unit, a strategic technology sector at the Technology Innovation Agency, gave a thought-provoking speech centred around the Government White Paper on Science and Innovation developed in 1992 to guide the country, in which he emphasised the future of science, technology and innovation in South Africa and the critical role of commercialising research.
According to Manana, “The White Paper lays out a bold vision for South Africa, where STI (Science, Technology and Innovation) is the engine of our economic growth. It’s about solving problems and capitalising on opportunities.” He firstly reflected on challenges faced by the country which includes energy crisis, as reflected in the Eskom crisis, the generation capacity issues, load shedding and electricity theft. Food security crisis, climate change crisis, graduate unemployment crisis, health care crisis, and the government service deliver issue were among other examples mentioned. He reminded attendees that while solutions to these challenges would need “mind stretching”, the challenges would also create opportunities.
Manana said, “We can comfortably say that the White Paper envisioned a future where South Africa becomes a knowledge driven economy, leveraging technology and research not just to write articles but to develop solutions that address real world problems – things like achieving energy sustainability, health care access, and so forth.”
Handing Over of Awards
The handing over of awards followed the speeches and entertainment. Prof Mtose led the process of awarding the certificates, trophies, and gifts, and she was ably supported by her two deputy vice-chancellors – Prof Kunene, who announced the names of winners in the Research and Innovation categories, and Prof Vuyokazi Nomlomo, who broadcasted the winners in the Teaching and Learning as well as Community Engagement categories. The top awards at the event were the Vice Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence in Research, Innovation, and Teaching, respectively.
The Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research was won jointly by Prof Khajamohiddin Syed from the Biochemistry and Microbiology Department and Dr Kehinde Ilesanmi from the Economics Department who both exceeded expectations in research productivity, which included higher degree research supervision, attracting external funding, research impact, building community partnerships and projected the University in a positive light to the world.
Prof Evelyn Madoroba from the Biochemistry and Microbiology Department won the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation for the development of a “starter culture” that improved and transforms the taste and shelf-life of fermented sorghum flour. In the special award category in research, Dr Oluwatoyin Ajani from the Faculty of Education won the Top Research Output Award for publishing the largest number of single authored research articles in 2023/24.
The winner of the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning was Prof Sheunesu Zhou from the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law. Prof Unathi Kolanisi from the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering walked away with the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Community Engagements.
In her closing remarks, Prof Nomlomo expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Prof Mtose and everyone who participated in the ceremony. “The teacher in me is saying ‘everyone gets motivated through recognition’. So, we appreciate that you (Prof Mtose) recognise the hard work that our staff members are doing in research, teaching and learning and community engagement’,” Prof Nomlomo enthused.
An evening of dinner and dance followed the awarding ceremony.
Winners of Research and Innovation awards
| Award category | Type of award | Recipients name / profile of award type |
| Research Category | Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research | Dr Khehinde D Ilesanmi – Economics Prof Khajamohiddin Syed – Biochemistry and Microbiology |
| Established Researcher Award | Prof Ikechwuku O Ezeuduji (Recreation and Tourism) Prof Neerish Revaprasadu (Chemistry) | |
| Emerging Researcher Award | Dr Siyanda Dlamini (Criminal Justice) | |
| Higher Degree Research Supervision Award | Prof Joyce M Mdiniso (Anthropology and Development Studies) Prof Neerish Revaprasadu (Chemistry) Prof Innocent Moyo (Geography) Prof Nokukhanya N Jili-Mbanjwa (Public Administration) Prof Azwidohwi P Kutame (Social Sciences Education) | |
| Innovation and creatives category | Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation | Prof Evelyn Madoroba – Biochemistry and Microbiology |
| Intellectual Property: IP Creator Award | Prof Fabian N Fon | |
| Recognition category | Departmental recognition for research-innovation excellence | Chemistry – Nanotechnology Group & Consumer Sciences – Food innovation group |
| Special Awards | Top Research Output Award | Dr Oluwatoyin A Ajani |
| Postdoctoral Award (productivity) | Dr Andrew Enaifoghe |
Winners of Teaching, Learning, and Community Engagement Awards
| Award category | Type of award | Recipients name / profile of award type |
| Teaching and learning | Distinguished | Prof Sheunesu Zhou – FCAL |
| Established | Dr Kanagie Naidoo – FHSS | |
| Emerging | Dr Judith B Dlamini – FHSS | |
| Community Engagements | Distinguished | Prof Unathi Kolanisi – FSAE |
| Emerging | Dr Getachew M Mengistie – FSAE |
– Sbahle Dumakude
Pictures: Xolani Ncube & Samkele Sokhela
