College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Unisa awarded prestigious water and environmental research chair

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Prof Ilunga Kamika

Unisa has been awarded the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Water and Environmental Biotechnology, tier level 2, following a proposal submitted by Prof Ilunga Kamika, a distinguished researcher in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET). SARChI is a flagship programme designed to strengthen the country’s research and innovation capacity, and is co-funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF).

The NRF recently shared the successful outcome of the application following recommendations from an independent review panel comprising experts across disciplines, relevant to the chair’s research focus. The panel’s decision was reached by consensus, underscoring the strength and impact of the proposal submitted by Kamika.

The DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Water and Environmental Biotechnology aims to tackle water issues through innovation and an integrated approach to producing pollutant-free water streams. The strategy proposed includes the following: 

  • Genomic surveillance to track the fate of the pollutants
  • Nanobiotechnological methods for pollutant removal
  • Nanostructured bio-electrochemical systems for real-time detection
  • Bioengineering design for recovery of value-added products

According to Kamika, the chair will also leverage machine learning techniques alongside genomic surveillance to detect emerging pathogens and resistance traits in the environment before they appear in clinical settings.

"Together, these efforts will pave the way for a safer environment and healthier communities," says Kamika. "The chair aims to become a green talent think-tank, equipping individuals with advanced skills and knowledge in sustainability and bioengineering."

Considering the growing demand for potable water and the shortage of water supplies, the reuse of water is becoming essential, particularly in densely populated areas. The prevalence of priority and emerging concern pollutants is even more alarming in rural and poor communities, where the untreated water is often used for domestic purposes.

Addressing this pressing water challenge requires innovative, efficient, cost-effective and sustainable strategies. Led by Kamika, the DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Water and Environmental Biotechnology promises to deliver much-needed solutions to water and environmental challenges by infusing artificial intelligence technologies with advanced biological methods. The synergy between AI and biotechnology positions the chair as a powerful tool to safeguard environmental and public health.

* By Dr Nozipho N Madzivha, Communication and Marketing Specialist (acting), College of Science, Engineering and Technology

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Publish date: 2025/11/25

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