DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT
RESEARCH @ DUT 8 December 2015 The DUT Annual Research Awards Programme (ARAP) is used as one of the platforms to celebrate and recognise the contributions of many researchers and students towards building the research profile of the University. We believe as a University that the biggest asset we have are the staff and students and hence, spending at least one occasion to recognise their contributions helps to continuously incentivise and motivate them to perform at a higher level. This is in line with organisational theory, motivational theory and theories related to performance and incentivisation. In the broader sense incentivisation is not just about giving financial rewards but understanding precisely what motivates staff and students to do research and ensuring the basic infrastructure is present and the environment is enabling. These elements fit in with motivational theories and in particular, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (Benson & Dundis, 2003; Maslow, 1954). There is no doubt then that the biggest game changer in building institutional research and innovation capacity is the people and hence attracting and retaining high calibre research staff and postgraduate students remains a key ingredient. In addition, the University celebrated its fifth series of the Institutional Research Day (IRD 2015) as part of the series of the annual research capacity building initiatives that the University has embarked on since 2010. This day brings together all staff and postgraduate students engaged in research at the university. The University has gone through an exciting period of repositioning itself through the institutional strategic plan which has four focus areas, one of which is, building research and innovation for development (see http://www.dut.ac.za/research/dut-research-strategy-research-focus-areas/). To this end a few strategic research focus areas have been identified with a view of reviewing and expanding this set over the next five year cycle. The Directorate would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all those who have made a contribution to building the research capacity of the university and engaging with the society, community, industry and government as we strive to contribute to human capacity building and build a better South Africa for everyone. Thank you in particular to the Editorial Team, Ms Vaneshree Govender and Ms Tracey Greyvenstein for the additional materials for this Newsletter. Best wishes for a blessed and peaceful festive season. Professor S Moyo Director: Research and Postgraduate Support
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT ANNUAL UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AWARDS 2015 The Vice-Chancellor’s office and the Directorate for Research and Postgraduate Support hosted the Annual Research Awards ceremony at Coastlands on the Ridge on 23 November 2015. The purpose of the event was to honour excellence in research at the Durban University of Technology. VIP guests for the ceremony included Guest Speaker - Mr Anthony Beitz, the Interim Director of the eResearch Centre at the University of Cape Town, Chairperson of Council – Dr Jairam Reddy, Research Director – Professor S Moyo, distinguished guests from the Durban University of Technology that included members of the Senior Executive Team, Honorary Research Professors, Researchers and Students as well as the nominees for the 2015 Research Awards. The productivity units for the 2015 Research Awards were based on the 2014 DHET accredited units claimed. The following four categories were in the form of CERTIFICATES of RECOGNITION. The categories were: TOP UNIVERSITY JOURNAL PUBLISHERS FOR ACCREDITED OUTPUTS 2014 This category consisted of researchers who had produced 2 units and above towards the 2014 DHET accredited journal publication units. Professor J McKenzie, Honorary Professor, from the Faculty of Applied Sciences was recognised Posthumous. This award was presented by Dr Jairam Reddy, the DUT Chairperson of Council. Ranking 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Name Professor F Bux Dr LM Lekhanya Professor DS Ilcev Professor N Dorasamy Professor K Kanny Dr PE Green Professor JA Adeyemo Professor OO Olugbara Professor D Brijlall Professor J McKenzie (Posthumous) Professor R Mason
Department IWWT Management Sciences Technology, Transfer & Innovations Management Sciences Engineering & Built Environment Accounting & Informatics Engineering & Built Environment Accounting & Informatics Applied Sciences Applied Sciences Management Sciences
Units Allocated 9.46 7.00 6.00 5.55 3.84 3.50 3.06 2.99 2.83 2.36 2.33
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT TOP UNIVERSITY PUBLISHER (POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS, RESEARCH ASSOCIATES AND RESEARCH FELLOWS) 2014 This category consisted of Postdoctoral Fellows, Research Associates and Research Fellows who had who produced 3 or more DHET accredited publications. This award was presented by Dr Jairam Reddy, DUT Chairperson of Council. Ranking
1 2 2 3 4 4 4 4
Name
Dr LM Lekhanya (RA) Dr SK Gupta (PDF) Dr N Venugopala Dr I Skoryk (PDF) Dr A Govender (PDF) Dr S Kanchi (PDF) Dr A Giampiccoli Dr TP Mohan
Faculty
Management Sciences Engineering & Built Environment Applied Sciences Accounting & Informatics Accounting & Informatics Applied Sciences Accounting & Informatics Engineering & Built Environment
Number of Published Accredited Journals
9 5 5 4 3 3 3 3
RECOGNITION OF DUT NEWLY RATED and RE-RATED RESEARCHERS The NRF rating system is a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high quality outputs in high impact journals/outlets. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cuttingedge skills to the next generation of researchers.This award was presented by Professor Kugen Permaul, HOD Biotechnology and Food Technology Name and Surname Department Faculty National Research Foundation (NRF) newly Rated Researchers Professor J Adeyemo Civil Engineering Engineering and the Built Environment Biotechnology & Food Dr EO Amonsou Technology Applied Sciences Biotechnology & Food Dr KN Venugopala Technology Applied Sciences Institute for Water and Dr SK Pillai Wastewater Technology Applied Sciences Engineering and the Dr K Erwin Urban Futures Centre Built Environment National Research Foundation (NRF)Re-Rated Researchers Professor F Bux Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology Applied Sciences Professor M Marks Urban Futures Centre Engineering and the Built Environment Professor TSC Meyiwa Registrar's office -
Rating Y2 Y2 Y1 C3 Y2 B3 B2 C3
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT RECOGNITION OF SUPERVISORS In this category these are Supervisors who had successfully supervised the most students in the last graduation. This award was presented by Dr Martin Mandew, Director- Midlands Campus. ACCOUNTING AND INFORMATICS ARTS AND DESIGN APPLIED SCIENCES ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SCIENCES MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
Professor OO Olugbara Professor DD Pratt Professor S Singh Dr S Rathilal Dr CM Korporaal Dr M de Beer
TOP UNIVERSITY SENIOR RESEARCHER AWARD: This individual demonstrated commendable performance and achievements, providing significant value to the University, as well as demonstrating evidence of making a significant contribution to the relevant field of study on a national/international platform. The research impact should be significant. A minimum of 4 accredited DHET units for this award is considered for staff to qualify for this award. This award takes into account the authors units, students, postdocs, and successful supervision of students and grant acquisitions when ranking nominees. Professor Faizal Bux, Institute for Water and Waste Water Technology, was the recipient of this award. TOP UNIVERSITY JUNIOR RESEARCHER: This individual showed a promise of making a significant contribution to his/her field of study. The nominee was an Academic staff member at the University, who completed their Doctorate qualification within the last five (5) years. A minimum of 2 accredited DHET units was expected for this award. (This includes authors units and student units if co– published.). Dr Paul Green, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, received the award for this category. TOP UNIVERSITY WOMAN RESEARCHER: In this category the individual had to have shown evidence of making a significant contribution to her field of study. The nominee was an Academic staff member at the University, currently involved in research. A minimum of 3 accredited DHET units for this award was expected. (This includes authors units and student units if co–published.) Professor Nirmala Dorasamy, Faculty of Management Sciences received the award for her achievement. TOP RESEARCHER IN EACH FACULTY: In this category the applicant must be an academic staff member at the University, currently conducting research and/or creative productivity and must have published a minimum of 1.5 units of DHET publication subsidy for award (Includes Authors units and student units if co–published). Professor OO Olugbara, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, received the award. CREATIVE OUTPUTS OF THE YEAR: in this category the applicant must have an evidence of a body of creative work that meets local and national acclaim. The individual must be an Academic/academic support staff member at the University, and be currently involved in research and/or creative productivity. Ms Lee Scott, Faculty of Arts and Design, received this award for 2015.
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT TOP PUBLISHED DOCTORAL STUDENT: in this category the applicant must be currently studying towards their Doctorate and be involved in research and/or creative work and should have published at least 1 unit of DHET accredited journals/accredited outputs before the nomination. Mr Abishek Guldhe, Institute for Water and Waste Water Technology (Supervisor: Professor Faizal Bux,) was the recipient of this award. ANNUAL RESEARCH AWARDS PICTURES
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH DAY 2015 The Research and Postgraduate Directorate hosted the 5 th Annual Institutional Research Day on the 26 November 2015 in the Library Complex, Steve Biko Campus. Presenters for the day consisted of a group of researchers who were staff and postgraduate students from the six faculties. The event was attended by approximately two hundred and fifty (250) staff and postgraduate students with a significant presence from the Midlands staff and postgraduate students. Professor J Adam, Chair of the Institutional Research Day 2015, addressed the forum and welcomed the Guest of Honour Professor Michael Chapman. She indicated that the Research Day initiative promotes the development of young researchers and presents an opportunity to showcase their research. Professor Adam indicated her pride at being associated with the researchers and postgraduate students of the University. During the opening ceremony, Professor S Moyo, Director of Research and Postgraduate Support acted for Professor Bawa in his absence. Professor Moyo indicated that in future, the Institutional Research Day will be replaced by a Postgraduate Conference. The Guest of Honour was Professor Michael Chapman who has recently been appointed as a retired Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Design at the Durban University of Technology. Professor Chapman is one of two NRF A-Rated Researchers who has chosen to be affiliated to DUT and will assist in building research capacity at the University. Professor Chapman addressed issues related to being a scholar and building a viable postgraduate research culture. Prizes were awarded for best oral presentation per faculty and best poster presentation per a faculty. The winners of the BEST ORAL and POSTER PRESENTATIONS were: NO 1
NAME Mr David Thomas
FACULTY Faculty of Accounting and Informatics
DEPARTMENT Library
2
Ms Susan Vermeer
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Department of Food & Nutrition Consumer Science
3
Mr Mohammed Shahbaaz
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Department of Chemistry
4
Mr Mthokozisi Rubushe
Faculty of Applied Sciences
5
Mr Greg Streak & Ms Karla Nixon
Department of Food & Nutrition Consumer Science Faculty of Arts and Department of Fine Design Art & Jewellery Design
CATERGORY Best oral presentation in faculty - Staff Winner Best oral presentation in faculty - Staff Winner Best oral presentation in faculty - Student Winner Best poster presentation in faculty Best oral presentation in faculty - Staff Winner
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT 6
Ms Busisiwe Memela
Faculty of Arts and Design
7
Mr Wentzel Burger
Faculty of Arts and Design
8
Mr Shaveen Maharaj
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
9
Ms Sivanna Naicker
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
10
Ms Gugulethu Mhlongo
11
Mr Mthobisi Ndebele & Ms Nomusa Gumede
12
Mr George Mdlozini
Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Health Sciences
13
Mr Stanley Onwubu
Faculty of Health Sciences
14
Ms Stacey Lee Wilson
Faculty of Health Sciences
15
Mr Pumlani Mtshali
Faculty of Health Sciences
16
Mr Crispin Hemson
Faculty of Management Sciences
17
Ms Marleni Thakur
Faculty of Management Sciences
18
Ms Cleo Pillay
19
Mr Victor Mnikathi
Faculty of Management Sciences Faculty of Management Sciences
Department of Best oral Fashion and Textiles presentation in faculty - Student Winner Department of Video Best poster Technology presentation in faculty Department of Best oral Electronic presentation in Engineering faculty - Staff Winner Department of Best oral Chemical presentation in Engineering faculty - Student Winner Department of Best poster Chemical presentation in Engineering faculty Department of Best poster Chemical presentation in Engineering faculty Department of Best oral Community Health presentation in Services faculty - Staff Winner Department of Best oral Dental Sciences presentation in faculty - Student Winner Department of Best poster Biomedical & presentation in Clinical Technology faculty Department of Best poster Biomedical & presentation in Clinical Technology faculty International Centre Best oral on Non-violence presentation in faculty - Staff Winner Department of Best oral Operations and presentation in Quality Management faculty - Student Winner Department of Best poster Operations and presentation in Quality Management faculty Department of Best poster Operations and presentation in Quality Management faculty
DIRECTORATE FOR RESEARCH AND POSTGRADUATE SUPPORT
INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH DAY PICTURES
EDITORIAL TEAM Ms Vaneshree Govender Ms Tracey Greyvenstein PHOTOGRAPHS DUT Audio Visual Team
