Celebrating research excellence

from publishing research papers to embarking on innovative studies, CPUT researchers have made the institution proud. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by the university, which celebrated their activities at the annual research Day, held at the Mowbray campus in November 2014.

The event was opened by CPUT’s VC, Dr Prins Nevhutalu, who commended the researchers and said the university has surpassed its own research targets, with 23% of staff holding doctoral qualifications and 35 staff members holding ratings from the NRF. He said research activities were important as the university has embarked on a drive of going from a good to a great institution. DVC: RTIP, Dr Chris Nhlapo, highlighted the university’s RTI Blueprint, an innovative document that plots the way forward for research and innovation activities at CPUT. Dr Nhlapo emphasised the concept of research uptake, a process which sees the results of research turned into a patent, product or service, through innovation and technology.

Other speakers included Ms Nasima Badsha, CEO of the CHEC; Prof Wentzel Gelderblom, Director of CPUT’s Institute of Biomedical and Microbial Biotechnology; Prof Roger Mason, CPUT’s Wholesale & Retail Leadership Chair; and Mr Bruce Snaddon, Senior Lecturer and CPUT coordinator for WDC 2014. CPUT also awarded the university’s top researchers, supervisors and industry funding recipients for 2013. In addition, a number or researchers received awards for the best research posters.