RESEARCH NEWS – Prof Byron A. Brown
Leading research to innovation: UNIZULU making a difference through innovation.
The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is proudly situated at the frontier of rurality on one hand, and urban life on the other – allowing the university community to experience both worlds of life on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal province, with its rich and diverse coastal resources, as well as the vast rural landscapes with World Heritage Site, mining, agriculture and modern industries in the Richards Bay Industrial Zone. UNIZULU stands as a beacon of African’s quest for epistemic liberation, academic brilliance, and the use of technology for social transformation.
UNIZULU’s rise in the sphere of research, innovation and technology transfer has been noteworthy. It has been recognised by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the fastest growing university in research, development, and innovation. Its growth has led the university to win the NRF Acceleration Award for South Africa Research Institutions in 2023. It is through research and innovation that our community is impacted and social justice is championed.
All four faculties of the University (Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law; and Faculty of Education) are engaged in the drive to lead research towards innovation. Each faculty is leading on research in distinct niche areas that are of local, national, and global importance, including areas of: (a) Natural Resources Management, Food Security and Climate Change; (b) Human Development and Sustainable Communities; (c) Local and Regional Economic Development and Sustainability; Education and Social Justice; (d) African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Decolonisation, and Strong Institutions; and (e) Emerging Scientific, Industrial and Technological Challenges.
UNIZULU research spans multiple fields or subject areas as shown below, which illustrates its impact, and the diverse areas where the institution is leading research to innovation. Entrepreneurship is a skill encouraged and promoted through research and innovation.
Leading research towards innovation is pivotal to UNIZULU’s mandate, with the University being the holder currently of four (4) complete patents, and one (1) patent that is provisional. The growing portfolio of patents includes (a) the patent for a unique raw material to manufacture petrochemical products – invented by Prof Viswanadha Pullabhotla; (b) the patent for core-shell nanoparticles for used as an effective and selective drug delivery carrier for anti-cancer drugs – invented by Prof Neerish Revaprasadu; and (c) the patent for a synthesis method to manufacture carbon nitride-semiconductor composites, which is useful for water splitting – invented by Prof Neerish Revaprasadu. The provisional patent is an antibiotic drug, entitled Metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors, invented by Prof Thavendran Govender, in collaboration with researchers at the UKZN. UNIZULU’s vault of intellectual property also boasts one Trade Secret.
These inventions illustrate UNIZULU’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing meaningfully to technological transfer for economic and social development. Already, some of these inventions have been matched with industry players, and are on the verge of transfer to market. In respect of the antibiotic drug, the two universities are at advanced stage in discussions with a leading pharmaceutical company interested in licensing the invention. Likewise, UNIZULU has partnered with a SMME to commercialise its trade secret for the Fermented Sorghum flour. And a business case has been developed for the formula for manufacturing flour and related products from Amaranthus plant. Many of these inventions are being exhibited at the Research and Innovation Week that the University is hosting from 6 to 9 November 2023.
The theme for this year’s Research and Innovation week is “Leading Research to Innovation”. The idea behind this theme is to convey the message that research does not have to end at publication phase and that research that terminates at publication is only a partial reflection of the complete value chain. The University is committed to supporting research and innovation across the entire research-innovation value chain, and the theme for this year is aimed at conveying that message to our research and innovation community, industry, and government.
Leading research to innovation is at the heart of technology transfer and industry collaboration in research and development.
The Research and Innovation Week is anchored on the UNIZULU Vision 2027 strategy, which has as its unwavering goal “To drive growth in UNIZULU research and innovation”. It is undisputable that UNIZULU has improved in its research and innovation outputs. However, there remains room for improvement. There’s great potential for innovative interactions with the local community and industry.
The week of celebrating research and innovation is one of the events that will give the UNIZULU community, postgraduate students, government, local community and the business sector an opportunity to discuss, ponder over, and admire some of the leading creative solutions being advanced by innovators and researchers at the University. The research and Innovation Week is envisioned to gather stakeholders from diverse communities, including industry experts from local industries in the Richards Bay Industrial region.
Leading research to innovation: UNIZULU making a difference through innovation.
The University of Zululand (UNIZULU) is proudly situated at the frontier of rurality on one hand, and urban life on the other – allowing the university community to experience both worlds of life on the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal province, with its rich and diverse coastal resources, as well as the vast rural landscapes with World Heritage Site, mining, agriculture and modern industries in the Richards Bay Industrial Zone. UNIZULU stands as a beacon of African’s quest for epistemic liberation, academic brilliance, and the use of technology for social transformation.
UNIZULU’s rise in the sphere of research, innovation and technology transfer has been noteworthy. It has been recognised by the National Research Foundation (NRF) as the fastest growing university in research, development, and innovation. Its growth has led the university to win the NRF Acceleration Award for South Africa Research Institutions in 2023. It is through research and innovation that our community is impacted and social justice is championed.
All four faculties of the University (Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law; and Faculty of Education) are engaged in the drive to lead research towards innovation. Each faculty is leading on research in distinct niche areas that are of local, national, and global importance, including areas of: (a) Natural Resources Management, Food Security and Climate Change; (b) Human Development and Sustainable Communities; (c) Local and Regional Economic Development and Sustainability; Education and Social Justice; (d) African Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Decolonisation, and Strong Institutions; and (e) Emerging Scientific, Industrial and Technological Challenges.
UNIZULU research spans multiple fields or subject areas as shown below, which illustrates its impact, and the diverse areas where the institution is leading research to innovation. Entrepreneurship is a skill encouraged and promoted through research and innovation.
Leading research towards innovation is pivotal to UNIZULU’s mandate, with the University being the holder currently of four (4) complete patents, and one (1) patent that is provisional. The growing portfolio of patents includes (a) the patent for a unique raw material to manufacture petrochemical products – invented by Prof Viswanadha Pullabhotla; (b) the patent for core-shell nanoparticles for used as an effective and selective drug delivery carrier for anti-cancer drugs – invented by Prof Neerish Revaprasadu; and (c) the patent for a synthesis method to manufacture carbon nitride-semiconductor composites, which is useful for water splitting – invented by Prof Neerish Revaprasadu. The provisional patent is an antibiotic drug, entitled Metallo-beta-lactamase inhibitors, invented by Prof Thavendran Govender, in collaboration with researchers at the UKZN. UNIZULU’s vault of intellectual property also boasts one Trade Secret.
These inventions illustrate UNIZULU’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing meaningfully to technological transfer for economic and social development. Already, some of these inventions have been matched with industry players, and are on the verge of transfer to market. In respect of the antibiotic drug, the two universities are at advanced stage in discussions with a leading pharmaceutical company interested in licensing the invention. Likewise, UNIZULU has partnered with a SMME to commercialise its trade secret for the Fermented Sorghum flour. And a business case has been developed for the formula for manufacturing flour and related products from Amaranthus plant. Many of these inventions are being exhibited at the Research and Innovation Week that the University is hosting from 6 to 9 November 2023.
The theme for this year’s Research and Innovation week is “Leading Research to Innovation”. The idea behind this theme is to convey the message that research does not have to end at publication phase and that research that terminates at publication is only a partial reflection of the complete value chain. The University is committed to supporting research and innovation across the entire research-innovation value chain, and the theme for this year is aimed at conveying that message to our research and innovation community, industry, and government.
Leading research to innovation is at the heart of technology transfer and industry collaboration in research and development.
The Research and Innovation Week is anchored on the UNIZULU Vision 2027 strategy, which has as its unwavering goal “To drive growth in UNIZULU research and innovation”. It is undisputable that UNIZULU has improved in its research and innovation outputs. However, there remains room for improvement. There’s great potential for innovative interactions with the local community and industry.
The week of celebrating research and innovation is one of the events that will give the UNIZULU community, postgraduate students, government, local community and the business sector an opportunity to discuss, ponder over, and admire some of the leading creative solutions being advanced by innovators and researchers at the University. The research and Innovation Week is envisioned to gather stakeholders from diverse communities, including industry experts from local industries in the Richards Bay Industrial region.
