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

Mentoring and coaching of emerging researchers take place on a
large scale and the institution has introduced a number of initiatives
to develop and enhance research capacity. Early career researchers
are emboldened to get into areas of research that are groundbreaking
such as Cyber Citizenship.
The NMMU recognises the importance of being an active member
of the international knowledge society. As such, it developed a
comprehensive network of international higher education institutions.
Research collaboration forms an integral part of the institutional
collaboration. In 2011, new projects were introduced and research
themes were created between researchers from the NMMU and
the international partner institutions. 2011 also saw a clear push
by the NMMU to develop new international research partnerships
with non-traditional areas of collaboration. A visit to universities
in Brazil was the beginning of an expansion of our global research
footprint in countries with the same development agenda as South
Africa.
Another important development
in 2011 was the start of the process
that resulted in the NMMU being
awarded four DST/NRF Research
Chairs as part of the South African
Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI).
Our efforts to promote excellence have resulted in the identification of
thirteen institutional research themes, namely: Science, Mathematics
and Technology Education for Society (SMTE); Sustainable Local
Economic Development; Cyber Citizenship; Manufacturing
Technology and Engineering; Nanoscale Characterisation and
Development of Strategic Materials; Strategic Energy Technologies;
Sustainable Human Settlements; Coastal Marine and Shallow
Water Ecosystems; Humanising Pedagogies; Democratisation,
Conflict and Poverty; Biodiversity Conservation and Restoration;
Health and Wellbeing; and Earth Stewardship Science.
One of the important developments in 2011 was the launch of the
Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy whose
main thrust is the characterisation of strategic materials using
advanced transmission electron microscopy and related techniques.
Another important development in 2011 was the start of the process
that resulted in the NMMU being awarded four DST/NRF Research
Chairs as part of the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI).
The Chair in Earth Stewardship Science was established in 2011 and
the incumbent is Prof Maarten de Wit, an NRF A rated scientist.
His transdisciplinary approach is starting to contribute towards
advancing the discourse of critical scholarship.
It is pleasing to note that increasing numbers of academic and
professional support staff are members of national and international
structures where they are providing research leadership as well as
expert advice.
We strive to provide a conducive policy
environment that supports and rewards
research and innovation excellence. A
number of research-related policies were
approved in 2011 such as the Research
Sabbatical Leave Policy and the Policy
on the Management of Research,
Technology and Innovation (RTI)
Activities at the NMMU.
Significant strides were made in the area of intellectual property
utilisation and protection. Eight provisional patent applications were
filed in the area of space electronics, animal health (anti-parasitic
agents for birds), forest engineering and software applications.
The NMMU is well positioned to make a meaningful contribution to
the research agenda of our country.
We strive to provide a conducive policy environment that supports
and rewards research and innovation excellence. A number of
research-related policies were approved in 2011 such as the Research
Sabbatical Leave Policy and the Policy on the Management of
Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Activities at the NMMU.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for
the strategic leadership of our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Derrick
Swartz, and the sterling efforts of the Executive Deans, Chairpersons
of Faculty Research, Technology and Innovation Committees and the
Research Office.
Prof Thoko Mayekiso
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Engagement
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