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Three Gauteng universities take a total of 10 NRF awards

Three Gauteng-based universities‚ the University of Johannesburg (UJ)‚ the University of Pretoria (UP) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)‚ walked away with a combined ten awards at the National Research Foundation (NRF) Annual Award Ceremony in Durban on Thursday.

The awards‚ sponsored by Elsevier and Thomson Reuters‚ were presented by the Minister of Science and Technology‚ Naledi Pandor‚ and the NRF’s acting CE‚ Dr Beverley Damonse.

UJ collected three A-rating awards in addition to the university’s Prof Tshilidzi Marwala being honoured with The Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation at SA Higher Education Institutions special award for his leadership and the important role he has played as an advocate for increased transformation of South Africa’s science community and landscape.

Prof Marcus Byrne of the Wits School of Animal‚ Plant and Environmental Sciences‚ received the award for Excellence in Science Engagement. The aim of the award is to encourage academics‚ while working in their fields‚ to also contribute substantially and be committed to enhancing the public’s awareness and engagement with science‚ technology and innovation.

Three other academics from Wits received A-rating awards while UP obtained four A-rating awards.

The NRF is an independent statutory body setup in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Its mandate is to support and promote research through funding‚ human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge‚ innovation and development in all ?elds of science and technology‚ including indigenous knowledge.

The NRF Rating System was created from the principle that the key element in contributing to quality research with international standing lies in the quality of the researchers. It underscores the value of globally competitive research and stimulates healthy competition in South Africa’s research arena.

 

 

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