University of Limpopo rewards top researchers
The University of Limpopo recently celebrated the substantial impact of its academic staff and their engagement in teaching, scholarly activity and research. The Vice-Chancellor’s Research, Teaching and Learning Excellence Awards this year covered the achievements of researchers for the past three years — the most successful period of research growth for the University in terms of publication output and funding. In 2013, the output stood at 227.02, increased to 243.7 in 2014 and 288.36 in 2015.
This was augmented by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2015 when the University received the Excelleration Award for achieving the most improved research performance over the past few years. Most significantly, the university is in the process of establishing a Technology Transfer Office to help realise the country’s National Development Plan through cutting-edge innovation that will contribute directly to various sectors of the economy.
The University of Cape Town’s deputy vice-chancellor for research and internationalisation, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, was invited as the guest speaker.
Phakeng hailed researchers and educators for their excellent work, saying research is the lifeblood of any university. “Without research, which enables us to produce winning ideas, teaching delivery would just be a replication of content rather than the delivery of contemporary knowledge,” she said.
Phakeng commended the university for celebrating the efforts of its researchers and teachers. “The University [of Limpopo] is probably one among few universities where the vice-chancellor hosts a joint award ceremony to reward excellence in research and teaching. This is a sign that the university understands the interdependence between teaching and research,” Phakeng concluded.
The recipients of distinguished teaching awards and outstanding research awards were:
• Professor Wilmien LuusPowell was honoured as the Best Overall Researcher, Researcher with the Largest External Research Funding and the Best NRF Rated Researcher (first-time). She went home with a prize of R60 000.
• Advocate Lufuno Nevondwe from the school of law was named the Best Overall Upcoming Researcher at the University. He won R45 000.
• Dr Felistas Mashinya from the school of health sciences was named the Best Overall Female Researcher at the University. She received R10 000.
• The award for Best Researcher in the School of Physical and Mineral Sciences went to Dr Makia Diko, accompanied by R10 000.
• Mashele Rapatsa’s outstanding work as the Best Researcher in the School of Law was rewarded with R10 000.
• Solomon Mboweni walked away with R50 000 prize money for t he coveted Best Overall Established Teacher in the School of Education
• Dr Thamsanga Nyundu received R10 000 for Best Overall upcoming Teacher at School Level, School of Molecular and Life Sciences.
Professor Mahlo Mokgalong, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Limpopo, said he was delighted with the quality work exhibited by researchers and teachers at the university. Mokgalong said the University of Limpopo is the second-best institution in teaching and learning delivery.