At the top of their class

The crème de la crème of academia took centre stage at the 22nd Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards, where the University of Pretoria (UP) celebrated scholars for their outstanding interdisciplinary research.

The annual award ceremony, which took place virtually for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, honoured 133 winners across eight categories, including 110 National Research Foundation (NRF)rated scientists.

“As academic achievers you have demonstrated your academic excellence, which is generally defined as the ability to perform, achieve, and excel in teaching and learning, research, innovation, and engagement,” said UP Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe.

“We need far more academics to make sure our voices and expert comments are heard; that we share your research and findings. All of you here today have the gift of extraordinarily bright minds, and we need you to speak up and speak out in your areas of knowledge.”

Prof Kupe said in many ways academic achievement addresses consciousness and community need, both locally and globally.

“It serves to take us further and higher in our lifetime, to contribute solutions to the issues raised in the Sustainable Development Goals and Africa Agenda 2063. You have honoured yourselves as individuals and you have honoured UP. Your reputations precede you in the best of ways, offering you access to the world, to people and places for whom a whole range of opportunities are available, including key leadership roles,” he concluded.

During his keynote address Professor Kopano Ratele of Stellenbosch University's Department of Psychology said, “I hope that the recognition is the cherry on top of work that is meaningful. hope you have been feeling satisfied and even happy. I hope that you feel that you have something more important beyond what we came to celebrate tonight.”

For him, the achievements that brought him happiness were those he regarded as enduringly meaningful. “The things I do for which I am recognised I would do even if no one gave me an award,” Prof Ratele said.

Prof Karen Harris, Head of Department: Historical and Heritage Studies and Director of the University Archives, received the Chancellor’s Award in the teaching and learning category. For her the acknowledgement endorses her endeavours to keep making a difference in the lives of her students.

“For more than three decades teaching has been my passion. My life has been immensely enriched by the undergraduate students have taught and the postgraduate students I have supervised,” she commented.

Dr Jonathan Okeke Chimakonam, an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy, received the Vice-Chancellor’s Book Award, which recognises outstanding scholarly books, monographs and collections.

“This award does a world of good to my psyche. Many of my students, past and present, and academics who admire my work, will most certainly be happy for me. You can expect that the news of this award will inspire colloquia, research theses, rejoinders, and special issues dedicated to exploring the ideas in the book. Such is the greatest honour an academic could ever receive,” Dr Chimakonam said.

Professor Marietjie Venter of the Department of Medical Virology, who won one of the three The Conversation Africa Awards for Communication Excellence, said: “I am honoured by the recognition from The Conversation and to be part of the NGSSA (Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa) team. would like to dedicate this award to my UP team and all the scientists and doctors who worked hard throughout the pandemic to fight the COVID-19 virus.”

When accepting the Chancellor’s Award, which acknowledges exceptional achievement in the field of research, Prof Charles Fombad said the recognition will lead to new opportunities that will allow him to interact and work closely with leading researchers from around the world.

“I believe that through such academic exchanges, it will enhance my ability to assist my students. At the end of the day, my humble goal is to redouble my efforts and continue to contribute to ensure that my faculty remains the best in Africa and my University becomes the best on the continent.”

By Xolani Mathibela