2011-NMMU-Research-Report - Research Management - Nelson ...

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110 NMMU Research and Innovation Report 2011 - Faculty of Science Prof Andrew Leitch, Executive Dean: Faculty of Science Dean’s Overview Significant research highlights make 2011 stand out as a year of great accomplishment for the Faculty of Science. While some of these highlights are listed here and in other parts of the Report, it must be mentioned that there are many in the Faculty - too many to list, who have played a key role in creating an atmosphere within the Faculty where research students can develop their research skills under expert supervision and mentorship. As a result of the solid support from Faculty members, our postgraduate student numbers have increased, our graduations have increased, our publication outputs are at a record high for the Faculty, the number of staff with completed doctorates is the highest to date, we have a record number of research associates who have chosen to be linked to the Faculty, and the external funding allocated to the Faculty for research and engagement projects has increased. All this is in support of realising the Vision 2020 Strategic Plan of the University. The relocation of the Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) to our University under Prof Maarten de Wit’s guidance represents a milestone of great significance for the NMMU. The Faculty is very proud to have been able to attract Prof Maarten de Wit to the NMMU, as the first recipient of the newly created Chair of Earth Stewardship Science. A Geologist of international renown with an A1 rating from the NRF, Prof de Wit brings to the NMMU a wealth of experience in research and postgraduate student training. Already, a number of Honours, MSc, PhD and postdoctoral students have been drawn to the NMMU to work with Prof de Wit and have registered for their studies under his guidance. As the founder of the Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON), the relocation of AEON to our University under his guidance represents a milestone of great significance for the NMMU, the benefits of which will be felt by our students for many years to come. His vision is to also establish a “Commons” linked to Earth Stewardship Science, where students can interact with each other and with Faculty, tackling relevant issues of great scientific and social concern. He joins Botanist Prof Richard Cowling as the two A1 rated researchers at the NMMU.
A major research highlight for the Faculty was the establishment of the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and the opening of the purpose-designed building on 11 October 2011. With over 100 delegates including foreign dignitaries gathering for the event, the official opening by the Minister of Higher Education and Training was a wonderful occasion of celebration. In the few months since its launch, the Centre under the directorship of Prof Jan Neethling has attracted students and researchers from across the country and some very significant research findings have resulted from the studies conducted. With four state-of-the-art electron microscopes and an array of support instrumentation, the Centre is able to conduct detailed studies on a wide range of materials in the physical and biological sciences, which would previously simply not be possible in South Africa. Also of significance was the launch of the Centre of Expertise in Forecasting on 3 June 2011. Under the directorship of Prof Igor Litvine, the Centre will develop sophisticated models to forecast energy needs of the country. Given the current energy crisis facing South Africa, the work of the Centre is strategically important for the country’s further economic development and security. A major research highlight for the Faculty was the establishment of the Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The Faculty was delighted that three of our applications submitted to the NRF in September 2011 for SARChI Chairs have been approved. These additional Chairs will add to the two existing Chairs (in Nanophotonics and in Maths Education) in the Faculty and will provide us with considerable expertise in key research areas. While the overall number of publications for the Faculty has increased, special mention must be made of the record number of publications from academics and students in the Department of Chemistry in 2011. This may be directly attributed to the installation of significant research equipment (including a new X-ray diffractometer and a nuclear magnetic resonance system). The funding came from an Efficiency Grant released by the Department of Higher Education and Training in 2010. The equipment has enabled our Chemistry Department to also support other universities in the region who do not have access to such equipment. Our Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics hosted a joint conference of the South African Mathematical Society (SAMS) and the American Mathematical Society (AMS) in November 2011. Attended by a few hundred delegates including many foreign academics and students, the conference gave our Department 111 exposure as one of the leading Mathematics Departments in South Africa. We congratulate Prof Geoff Booth (Chair of the organising committee) and his team for such a resounding success. The Faculty was delighted that three of its applications submitted to the NRF in September 2011 for SARChI Chairs have been approved. While many of our staff acted as worthy ambassadors for the Faculty and the NMMU during 2011, I would like to specifically mention two persons - both in our Department of Zoology, whose achievements are worth celebrating. Dr Pierre Pistorius was chosen as one of six South African researchers to spend one month on Prince Edward Island. Totally uninhabited and isolated in the South Atlantic, this South African island is visited once every four years for scientific studies, much of which is focused on identifying the long-term changes brought about by global warming. Dr Pistorius’ recognised expertise in the field of marine birds made him a key member of the team. Secondly, Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi was invited by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to be an Honorary Ambassador for the organisation in South Africa. As a Humboldt Fellow and having spent a year in Germany at Marburg University in 2006/7, Dr Mzilikazi is worthy of this honour. We are proud of the recognition she will bring to the Faculty and the NMMU. Prof Andrew Leitch Executive Dean: Faculty of Science
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NMMU Research and Innovation Report
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Contents Message from the Vice-Chan
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In terms of internationalisation of
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Mentoring and coaching of emerging
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knowledge, and an understanding of
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Strategic Goal 2: To create and sup
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Department of Research Capacity Dev
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Research Overview NMMU continues to
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NAME RATING FACULTY DISCIPLINE Trut
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Re-evaluations: Prof AJ Christopher
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Research Output Units The research
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Research Incentives Various incenti
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NRF Research Niche Areas The Instit
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Her work, including the first regio
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The weld completed measured more th
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Contribution to Regional Innovation
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A selection of knitwear from the Ma
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Research Excellence Prof Jan Neethl
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Music Education Prof Aletta Delport
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He attained his NRF rating, and ful
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industry in the Eastern Cape throug
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Prof Werner Olivier, Head of the Go
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New DST/NRF Research Chairs The Sou
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Name Leader Faculty INSTITUTES Fric
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development R&D projects on behalf
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Centre for the Advancement of Non-
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Unit for Applied Management Science
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Profiled below are five postdoctora
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Dr Mathabo Khau Dr Mathabo Khau joi
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Research Associates During 2011, a
Page 61 and 62: Ms Marelize Marx Ms Marelize Marx,
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Page 65 and 66: esearchers gaining expertise and co
Page 67 and 68: Cyber Ethics and Social Media Mrs A
Page 69 and 70: “As one of 26 invited choirs from
Page 71 and 72: School of Accounting DEPARTMENTS De
Page 73 and 74: During 2011, the Faculty focused st
Page 75 and 76: Research Theme: Ethics and Governan
Page 77 and 78: School of Initial Teacher Education
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Page 81 and 82: Research Activities relating to the
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Page 85 and 86: School of Engineering DEPARTMENTS D
Page 87 and 88: Eskom signed an R11 million researc
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Page 93 and 94: Department of Biomedical Technology
Page 95 and 96: Together they have published extens
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Page 101 and 102: Date of visit Name(s) of visitors a
Page 103 and 104: Department of Criminal and Procedur
Page 105 and 106: This monograph, a first for the Fac
Page 107 and 108: Mr Abrahams’ area of research cov
Page 109 and 110: At the NMMU, Obiter is often referr
Page 111: School of Biomolecular and Chemical
Page 115 and 116: Faculty Emerging Researcher of the
Page 119 and 120: Date of visit Name(s) of visitors a
Page 121 and 122: Doctorates The citations represent
Page 123 and 124: Batsho Mpuhlu Chemistry Textile Sci
Page 125 and 126: Priscilla Gitonga Education The con
Page 127 and 128: DOCTOR TECHNOLOGIAE: HUMAN RESOURCE
Page 129 and 130: DOCTOR TECHNOLOGIAE: BIOMEDICAL TEC
Page 131 and 132: Research Masters Faculty of Arts MA
Page 133 and 134: MAGISTER TECHNOLOGIAE: BUSINESS ADM
Page 135 and 136: Faculty of Health Sciences MAGISTER
Page 137 and 138: DAS, Sweta (Textile Science) QUALIT
Page 139 and 140: VAN DE VEN, Tanja Maria Francisca N
Page 141 and 142: Exhibitions and Performances Vice-C
Page 143 and 144: POTGIETER, Z. 2011. Song in Gold Pa
Page 145 and 146: ROOTMAN, C., TAIT, M. & SHARP, G. 2
Page 147 and 148: WOOD, L.A. & GOBA, L. 2011. Care an
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Page 151 and 152: GARDNER, P.J. & SLABBER, J.M. The e
Page 153 and 154: VAN GREUNEN, D., VELDSMAN, A., NGAS
Page 155 and 156: VRANCKEN, P.H.G. 2011. Introductory
Page 157 and 158: BETZ, R., MCCLELAND, C. & SCHEFFER,
Page 159 and 160: FEELY, J.M. & BELL-CROSS, S.M. 2011
Page 161 and 162: LINDEQUE, A., DE WIT, M.J., RYBERG,
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SMITH, A., BOTHA, H., DE BEER, F.C.
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CALITZ, A.P., GREYLING, J. & CULLEN
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GOVENDER, J. & REDDY, P.S. 2011. Th
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Research Funding Database NMMU subs
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Editor Prof Thoko Mayekiso Deputy V
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