VUT_Report 2018_Finale

VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
CAD Research and Publications
Dr Machika
Dr Machika
“Framework for a learning management system
at a University of technology with a weak
information technology maturity system”.
South African Journal of Higher Education.
Vol. 32(2).
“In search of graduate attributes: A survey of
flagship programmes across six programmes”.
South African Journal of Higher Education.
Vol. 32(1).
Research & Higher Degrees Directorate
The Research environment at the Vaal University of Technology
(VUT) has shown signs of maturing annually. The Research
Directorate is extremely excited to be a part of this contribution
towards the development of the research culture. As a research
development team, we remain committed to supporting staff
and students in developing their capacity to enhance their
research. There has been a steady growth with the research
units from 2015 – 2018.
2015 2016 2017 2018
76.16 101.95 126.76 162.00*
* submitted to DHET – not yet approved
For the reporting period, the Research Directorate has in total
submitted 162 units for the research outputs against a 110-unit
target for the year. The success of the growth in research units
follows hard work and continued efforts in enhancing capacity
and development of new researchers.
The main objective of the institution remains to strengthen its
staff qualification profile so that more staff members will be able
to develop their research, supervise students, and strengthen
the critical mass in stimulating a research culture. We have also
improved the success rate of our postgraduate students where
we had 53 graduates in 2018 compared to the 26 in 2017.
It is worth mentioning that in addition to the above achievements,
individual academics received widespread recognition for their
research work.
Kwena Pete was awarded the best presenter/paper at the
Sustainable Sanitation, Waste Management Conference in
Cape Town in November 2018. The award comes with a full
scholarship for her to attend the next conference to be held in
South Korea in 2020.
Dr. Qwebani-Ogunleye from the Faculty of Applied and Computer
Sciences, Institute of Traditional Knowledge and Traditional
Medicine, Dihlare Remedy Pty (Ltd) was selected by the South
African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). This platform serves
as the voice of young researchers in South Africa and one serves
for three to five years.
Dr. Naser Feto received the Top Intellectual Property Creator
Award. The award is for the most actionable disclosures at Vaal
University of Technology during the period 2 August 2010 to 31
August 2018.
Regarding the external funding, researchers raised R33 213 495
from external sources such as the Water Research Commission,
DST, Eskom, TIA and NRF to name a few.
We look forward to further enhance and deepen research
participation at VUT. All indications are that this will happen
as more heads of departments become involved in research,
create opportunities for staff members, and support the
development of the institutional strategy in realising its capacity
to be a University with a technology focus.
Community engagement
VUT Enactus team managed to secure a place at finals for the
ENACTUS South Africa National Competitions and the following
were achieved:
• 1st Place for the Harmony Challenge with their Enviro-hab
Project;
• 1st Prize for the Nedbank Tripple Bottom Line Challenge
(Overall presentation in the league)
• 2nd Prize for the General Electric Challenge with the
Clorganic Project.
• Prize for Participation in the Final Competition.
Relationship with industry
• The Department of Marketing & Sport Management continues
to participate in the W&RSETA’s HET-QMB committee
with the aim of bridging the gap between the government,
industry and the University with regards to issues pertaining
to curriculum, teaching and learning, bursaries, student
placement, research and other related occupational
qualifications.
• The Department further continues to liaise with the
Shoprite Group with regards to granting the Retail Business
Management students at all levels bursaries as well as
Trainee Manager Graduate Programmes upon completion
of their qualifications.
67