Three Stellenbosch University (SU) researchers recently received awards from the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) for their advancement of science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation within their respective fields.
This was according to Mosima Mabitsela, media liaison officer at NSTF.
Prof Christine Lochner received the TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Researcher, prof Richard Walls received the TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researcher and prof Conrad Matthee received the NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award, during a NSTF live-streamed gala event, on 30 July.
According to Maryke Hunter-Hüsselmann, SU’s director of research information and strategy, there were 10 finalists from SU for the NSTF awards. PHOTOS: National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
“It really was a lovely surprise to be the recipient of one of the so-called NSTF ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa,” said Lochner, a researcher at SU’s department of psychiatry.
Lochner received the award for her work on neuropsychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders.
According to Lochner, this award is a golden opportunity to put the spotlight on the importance of scientific research in the field of mental health and how it can benefit society.
Prof Christine Lochner, director of the South African Medical Research Council’s Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders at Stellenbosch University, said she has been working on her award-winning research since 2001. PHOTO: Facebook/OCD Research South Africa
Research for impact
According to Walls, who was awarded for his work in developing fire safety engineering, there is not a lot of knowledge about fire safety in South Africa, both in academia and in industry.
The chief reason Wall’s project focused on fire safety and fire related issues was to expand on the knowledge of fire safety in South Africa – both in academia and in the industry, Walls said.
“We have been developing a new postgraduate degree in fire safety engineering, which is a first-of-its-kind on the African continent,” said Walls.
This research conducted by Walls has the potential to make a significant impact on society, according to prof Wikus van Niekerk, SU’s dean of engineering.
Prof Richard Walls is described by the dean of engineering at Stellenbosch University, prof Wikus van Niekerk, as the driving force behind the Fire Engineering Research Unit (FireSUN). PHOTO: Supplied/Richard Walls
“Prof Walls’ research focuses on informal settlement fire safety as well as structural fire design, [which are] both crucial to ensuring fire safety in our communities,” Van Niekerk said.
According to Maryke Hunter-Hüsselmann, SU’s director of research information and strategy, SU’s participation in the NSTF awards is one way in which the university can make visible the important and impactful work that SU’s researchers conduct.
“It also gives us an opportunity to celebrate our outstanding researchers on a national platform,” said Hunter-Hüsselmann.
This forms part of SU’s Vision 2040 is a commitment to research for impact, she said.