Unisans gain membership of prestigious science academies

College of Science, Engineering & Technology

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From left: Prof Zenghui Wang, Prof Charles Mbohwa, Prof Hasina Ebrahim and Dr Muthumuni Managa

Four Unisans were recently inaugurated as new members by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) for their impactful research output, adding to the broader body of scientific knowledge, not only locally but also globally.

ASSAf awarded membership to Prof Zenghui Wang (College of Science, Engineering and Technology – CSET), Prof Charles Mbohwa (CSET) and Prof Hasina Ebrahim (College of Education – CEDU). SAYAS awarded membership to Dr Muthumuni Managa (CSET).

ASSAf is a self-sustaining institution where new members are chosen annually by the entire current membership to fulfil the academy's goals and honour academic excellence. Through its membership, which represents the collective voice of the most active scholars in all fields of scholarly enquiry, ASSAf aims to generate evidence-based solutions to national problems. Members are the core asset of the academy, giving their time and expertise voluntarily in the service of society.

Membership carries responsibility

Commenting on the honour, Wang said ASSAf membership carries the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of science in South Africa. "Building on this recognition, I will continue to deepen my research in my core areas, particularly the development and application of advanced artificial intelligence algorithms for Industry 5.0, system optimisation, and intelligent control," he noted.

Continuing, Wang explained that this achievement reflects not only his personal academic efforts but also the supportive and enabling research environment provided by Unisa, whose encouragement and resources have played a crucial role in his scholarly development.

He aims to produce research that is both internationally competitive and locally relevant, addressing national priorities such as industrial efficiency, sustainable energy systems and technological innovation.

Joining Unisa in 2010, Wang, an NRF B2-rated researcher, has previously served as an Associate Professor at Shandong University of Science and Technology and as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the French-South African Technical Institute in Electronics, Tshwane University of Technology.

Joining an elite group

Echoing Wang’s sentiments, Mbohwa said: "It is humbling for me to become a member because this is one of the highest professional honours that anyone involved in the academic mission can receive."

Mbohwa, a Distinguished Professor of Sustainability Engineering and Future Technologies, said that in addition to substantial academic excellence, this membership signifies a commitment to applying scientific and research knowledge for the benefit of society.

"I would like to thank the Unisa management and systems for supporting me to achieve this status and for assisting to ensure that I met the requirements of the rigorous selection process, which exemplifies a highly scholarly standing that has passed the top-level peer review," he concluded.

Justice and equity for the marginalised

Said Ebrahim: "I am deeply honoured to be recognised by ASSAf for my work in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), a field in which I have consistently foregrounded contextualisation, social justice and equity for those at the margins."

This achievement is not just a personal milestone for Ebrahim, who is a Professor in the Department of Early Childhood and is an NRF C1-rated researcher with a track record of prestigious awards. She said it reflects a lifelong commitment to challenging dominant paradigms and amplifying voices that are often silenced.

"Becoming a member of ASSAf affirms the value of my career efforts," she said. "It is a recognition that scholarship can, and must, be transformative, rooted in justice, and responsive to the realities of those at the margins. I see this honour not as an endpoint, but as an invitation to deepen my commitment to building inclusive, contextually relevant systems of ECCE in South Africa and beyond."

A voice for young researchers

SAYAS represents young scientists in South Africa, addressing societal issues both domestically and internationally. It does this by giving young researchers a voice in policy decisions, helping to build scientific capacity in South Africa by mentoring and modelling future scientists, and creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations among young scientists.

Managa, an NRF Y2-rated researcher who currently works as a Senior Lecturer at the university’s Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), has been awarded grants worth millions since joining Unisa. "The impact of this membership will not be limited to my own professional growth only," she said. "The skills and experience I acquire will be extended to student support."

* By Lesego Chiloane, Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

Publish date: 2025/12/02