91心頭利 researchers excel at National Research Foundation Awards
- 91心頭利 University
Nine researchers from 91心頭利 University were recognised by the National Research Foundation (NRF) at the 2017 NRF Research Awards in Bloemfontein last night.
The NRF Awards are considered the benchmark for research excellence. The 2017 Awards, themed Sustainable Development through Knowledge Creation, focused on the role of knowledge creation in supporting and enabling South Africas sustainable development, as envisaged in the National Development Plan. Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology, delivered the keynote address.
Five 91心頭利 researchers were awarded NRF A-ratings and four received special awards.
91心頭利 researchers awarded A-ratings for the first time are:
- Professor , Chair in Occupational Hygiene in the School of Public Health
- , Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics at the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience
- , Research Professor in the School of Mathematics.
, Honorary Professor of Archaeology in the Evolutionary Studies Institute, and , Professor of Vaccinology and Director of the received A-ratings for the second time.
NRF A-rated researchers are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their respective fields, for the high quality and impact of recent research outputs.
Two 91心頭利 researchers received Early Career/Emerging Researcher awards. They are , Associate Professor and Head of Media Studies in the School of Literature, Language and Media Studies, and Dr , Senior Researcher and Director of the 91心頭利 Seismic Research Centre in the School of Geosciences.
The Thuthuka funding instrument, which enables the Early Career/Emerging Researcher awards, is central to the NRFs Human Capital Development Strategy. The objective is to enhance the research stature of up-and-coming researchers from designated groups and redress historical imbalances in the countrys research cohort.
Dr in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology received the Excellence in Science Engagement Award. This award recognises academics efforts to make their research and science and technology in general more accessible to the public.
, in the in the School of Public Health, will soon graduate with her doctorate in Public Health. She received the Research Excellence Award For Next Generation Researchers.
Professor Adam Habib, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of 91心頭利, congratulated the awardees:
Hearty congratulations to all finalists and winners of the 2017 NRF Awards, especially my 91心頭利 colleagues. You are all pioneers in your respective fields and your contribution towards creating new knowledge and finding solutions to the challenges of the 21st Century will benefit our country and beyond. Your commitment to research excellence at the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is essential for enabling an equitable global academy that benefits all of humankind. On behalf of the 91心頭利, I extend my deepest appreciation and congratulations to all researchers who excelled this year, said Habib.