The importance of measuring the success of research & innovation efforts cannot be overemphasised. An important measure in this regard involves the recognition of achievements in the form of awards and notable memberships.
External awards and memberships serve to provide credible affirmation of excellence. Of equal importance, internal awards encourage researchers to provide quality output through the formal recognition of these achievements.
Please note that while the Research & Innovation Awards were celebrated in 2023, some of the accolades were awarded for previous years’ research and innovation achievements.
Prestigious External Research Awards and Memberships
| Recipient | Recognition | College |
| Prof L Labuschagne | Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP) Certification | Research, Innovation and Commercialisation |
| Prof P LenkaBula | Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Research - Research Impact | Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Unisa |
| Prof Malik Maaza |
Joint Winner: United Nations Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) - Spirit of Abdus Salam Award
|
Graduate Studies |
| Prof M Mabelebele | NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
| Prof LM Madikizela | South African Chemical Institute Raikes Medal | Science, Engineering and Technology |
| Prof AH Mavhandu-Mudzusi |
National Research Foundation (NRF) Special Recognition Awards 2022 - Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation
|
Human Sciences |
| Mr A Mavukwana | Fulbright Foreign Student Program – Visiting Student Researcher | Science, Engineering and Technology |
| Prof PJ Segalo |
The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) Regional Award 2021 - Public Understanding and Popularisation of Science
|
Human Sciences |
| Prof WD Thwala |
Sustainable Education and Development Research Conference (SEDRC)
2022 Excellence Award for Leadership in Sustainable Construction in Africa and Mentor of the Decade
National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 - Engineering Research Capacity
Development Award
|
Science, Engineering and Technology |
| Dr R Visagie | Senior Research Management Professional (SRMP) Certification | Research Support |
| Prof W Bentley |
Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion (ISSR) |
Human Sciences |
Cultivating a positive research and innovation environment takes time and also requires investment: both financial and in terms of human capital. Most South African universities lack an appropriate research-enabling environment due to the historical context of higher education in South Africa that includes, among others, inequality of the Bantu education system and the fact that research engagements were previously the sole preserve of whites. To address this Unisa has prioritized the improvement of a research enabling environment in its Research and Innovation strategy. Research incentives, research awards and prizes make an important contribution towards cultivating a research enabling environment at Unisa.
The Women’s Prize for Excellence in Research is an annual prize that is given to active and deserving UNISA women researchers. The prize is aimed at increasing and strengthening the participation of women in research at UNISA thereby responding to the Research and Innovation Strategic goal.
Youngest Doctoral Graduate Award
This award is presented to the youngest staff member who obtained her PhD during the previous year.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2022 |
Dr L Sikhosana |
Education |
|
2021 |
Dr Makgalake Pabalelo Radingoana |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
2020 |
Dr Lebohang Motsomotso |
Human Sciences |
|
2019 |
Dr Sintechè van der Merwe |
Human Sciences |
|
2018 |
Dr Catherine le Roux |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
2017 |
Dr Shandre Jansen van Rensburg |
Law |
|
2016 |
Dr Patricia Makoni |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
2015 |
Dr Antoinette Pretorius |
Human Sciences |
|
2014 |
Dr Sekgololo Mabudusha |
Human Sciences |
|
2013 |
Prof Annemarie Davis |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
2012 |
Dr Marlene Wethmar-Lemmer |
Law |
|
2011 |
Prof Lisa van Jaarsveldt |
Economic and Management Sciences |
Emerging Researcher Award
The Emerging Researcher Award is aimed at encouraging new or aspiring PhD candidates to become established researchers. To be considered for this award, a candidate must be permanently employed by Unisa, and be enrolled for PhD studies or be in possession of a PhD.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2022 |
Dr MP Modise |
Education |
|
2021 |
Dr Fundiswa Amanda Kobo
|
Human Sciences |
|
2020 |
Dr Allison Anthony
Dr Monnye Mabelebele
Dr Ramashego Shila Mphahlele
Dr Fortunate Silinda
|
Law Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Education Human Sciences |
|
2019 |
Dr Itumeleng Setlhodi
|
Education |
|
2018 |
Dr Rehana Cassim |
Law |
|
Dr Sin Yu Ho |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
2017 |
Ms Thulile Shandu-Phetla |
Human Sciences |
|
Prof Amanda Spies |
Law |
|
|
2016 |
Ms Tracey McKay Dr Madeleine Fombad |
Agriculture and Enviromental Sciences Human Sciences |
|
2015 |
Dr Dikeledi Mahlo |
Education |
|
2014 |
Dr Eileen Donaldson |
Human Sciences |
|
2013 |
Dr Mopho Dichaba Dr Matshidiso Taole Dr Marinkie Madiope |
Education Education Professional Research Group |
|
2012 |
Dr Mpine Makoe Ednah Onyari Jo-Ansie van Wyk Gwenneth Miller Dr Tintswalo Manyike Dr Elizabeth du Plessis Dr Velisiwe Gasa Bernadine Benson |
Graduate Studies Science, Engineering and Technology Human Sciences Human Sciences Education Education Education Law |
|
2011 |
Ms Nadia Ferreira Ms Juanida Horne Ms Busi Mandleni Ms Edinah Mudimu Ms Sibongile Sindane |
Economic and Management Sciences Law Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Economic and Management Sciences Human Sciences |
Leadership in Research Award
The Leadership in Research Award is awarded to researchers who, in the last five years, have demonstrated their outstanding leadership in research by publishing widely, contributing to the advancement of research within their field, participating in the development of scholars through mentorship, providing supervision to a substantial number of postgraduate students, receiving recognition and awards in their field as achievers and participating in community and/or industry engagement.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2021 |
Prof Jeanette Maritz Prof Norma Romm |
Human Sciences Education |
|
2020 |
Prof Rehanna Cassim Prof Hasina Banu Ebrahim Prof Madipoane Masenya |
Law Education Human Sciences |
|
2019 |
Prof Zethu Nkosi |
Human Sciences |
|
2018 |
Prof Shivani Bhardwaj Mishra |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
Prof Memory Tekere |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
2017 |
Dr Muchaiteyi Togo |
Agriculture and Environment Sciences |
|
Prof Melinde Coetzee |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof Hasina Ebrahim |
Education | |
|
2016 |
Prof Philina Coetzee Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi |
Accounting Sciences Human Sciences |
|
2015 |
Prof Brigitte Smit Prof Vivian Manyike |
Education Education |
|
2014 |
Prof Diane Hildebrandt Prof Rachel Barker Prof Jo-Ansie van Wyk Prof S Schoeman |
Science, Engineering and Technology Human Sciences Human Sciences Education |
|
2013 |
Prof Melinde Coetzee Prof Marié McGregor Prof Gloria Thupayagale-Tshweneagae Prof Michele Havenga Prof Stella Vettori Prof Susan Coetzee |
Economic and Management Sciences Law Human Sciences Graduate Studies Graduate School of Business Leadership Education |
|
2012 |
Prof Breggie van der Poll Prof Ilsa Basson Prof Ruth de Villiers Prof Valerie Ehlers Prof Corinne Meier Prof Lindiwe Zungu Prof Melodie Slabbert Prof Agata Krzychylkiewicz Prof Trudie Steyn |
Economic and Management Sciences Science, Engineering and Technology Science, Engineering and Technology Human Sciences Education Human Sciences Law Human Sciences Education |
|
2011 |
Prof Marie de Beer Prof Helene Gelderblom Prof Elizabeth Kempen Prof Eleanor Lemmer Prof Susan Scott |
Economic and Management Sciences Science, Engineering and Technology Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Education Law |
Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research and Innovation
The Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research is regarded as the most prestigious award for research and innovation at Unisa. This award recognizes high-quality published research by permanent Unisa researchers and research groups.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
| 2022 | Prof X Liu | Science, Engineering and Technology |
| Prof KF Mearns | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | |
| Prof OB Onyancha | Human Sciences | |
| Prof PJ Segalo | Human Sciences | |
| Prof MT Tekere | Agriculture and Environmental Sciences | |
| Prof MM van Wyk | Education | |
| Prof M Mkansi | Economic and Management Sciences |
Resilience in Research Award
The Resilience in Research Award is awarded to a researcher who, in the last three years, has succeeded in attaining a doctoral qualification in spite of extraordinary personal circumstances that would inhibit possible completion. The award celebrates the values of perseverance, commitment and singular dedication in the pursuit of academic goals.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2016 |
Dr Lineo Johnson Dr Bolanle Ikotun |
Education Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
2015 |
Not awarded in 2015 |
- |
|
2014 |
Not awarded in 2014 |
- |
|
2013 |
Not awarded in 2013 |
|
|
2012 |
Prof Keshnee Padayachee Dr Danisile Ntuli |
Science, Engineering and Technology Human Sciences |
|
2011 |
Prof (then Ms) Lisa van Jaarsveld |
Economic and Management Sciences |
The Half Million and Million Rand Awards
The Half Million and Million Rand Awards are a new award introduced in 2019 to recognise researchers who have obtained competitive external funding for their research projects.
Success in attracting external funding is a crucial indicator of our research strength and thus serves as an important quality measure. Given the pressure on the Research budgets, external funding is an essential ingredient in sustaining the research agenda in the University.
Half Million Rand Award
The Half Million Rand Award recognises a researcher who has received external funding for his/her research from R500 000.00 to R1million.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2022 |
Dr XG Fuku |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
Prof A Kuvarega, |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof LM Madikizela |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Mr ST Malindisa, |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof AH Mavhandu-Mudzusi, |
Human Sciences |
|
|
Dr H Ngwangwa, |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof M Ntwasa, |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof E Nxumalo, |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Ms TE Stuurman, |
Department of Human Resources |
|
|
2021 |
Prof U Feleni |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
Prof AW Gunter |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof AT Kuvarega |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Dr MM Motsa |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof FJ Nemavhola |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof MM Ntwasa |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof EN Nxumalo |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof M Tekere |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
2020 |
Prof K.M Malan |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
Dr S Mosebi |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Dr H Nyoni |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Dr L.L Sibali |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Dr A Tagwi |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
2019 |
Prof M.N Davids |
Education |
|
Dr L.A. de Kock |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof K.H Jordaan |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Dr A.T Kuvarega |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof A.K. Mishra |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof M. Mkansi |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof R.T Mpofu |
Education |
Million Rand Award
The Million Rand Award recognises a researcher who has received external funding for his/her research of R1million or more.
|
Year |
Recipient |
College |
|
2022 |
Prof E Benyera |
Human Sciences |
|
Dr C Bhondayi, |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Dr TL Botha, |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof M Maaza |
Graduate Studies |
|
|
Prof T Msagati |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
2021 |
Dr S Figlan |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
Prof X Liu |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof T McIntyre |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
2020 |
Prof A.W Gunter |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
Prof M Maaza |
Graduate Studies |
|
|
Dr S Mosebi |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof T.A.M Msagati |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Dr L Ncube |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof G Prinsloo |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
2019 |
Prof M.S. Dhlamini |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
Prof D.W. Hedding |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
| Prof X. Liu |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof D. Hildebrandt |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof K.M Malan |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
| Prof T.S Matambo |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof S.P Mokoena |
Education |
|
| Prof M.J Mphahlele |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Dr L. Ncube |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
| Prof P. Prinsloo |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof C. Van Zyl |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof G. Nhamo |
Economic and Management Sciences |
The Conversation Africa: Research Communication Recognition Award
Unisa is keen to extend its influence in popular media. The Conversation is a global online platform which helps researchers publish their work for popular consumption – and brings with it, amongst others, the potential of media exposure, collaborate research projects, and funding opportunities.
|
Year |
Recipient |
Recognition |
College |
|
2022 |
Prof A du Plessis |
Most Read Author Most Published Author |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
Prof D Kotzé |
Most Published Author |
Human Sciences |
|
|
Prof R Meissner |
Most Published Author |
Human Sciences |
|
|
2021 |
Dr SJ Joubert |
Most Read Author |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
2020 |
Prof D. Kotzé |
Most Published Author Most Read Article |
Human Sciences |
|
Prof R. Cassim |
Second Most Read Article |
Law |
|
|
2019 |
Dr R. Cassim |
Highest Number of Contributions in 2019 |
Law |
|
Prof D. Kotzé |
Highest Number of Contributions in 2019 |
Human Sciences |
|
|
Prof R. Ramfol |
Most Read Unisa Article in 2019 |
Accounting Sciences |
The 'Vice Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation Awards for Excellence in Innovation' awards recognize the spark of genius that turns an innovation from an initial idea into a successful commercial product.
|
Year |
Recipient |
Recognition |
College |
|
2022 |
Prof H Stoffberg |
Patents, Designs, Trademarks and Plant Breeders’ Rights First Patent Granted in South Africa Recognition for Intellectual Property (IP) Applications |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
Prof M Mkansi |
Copyright |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof LW Snyman |
First Patent Granted in Examining Jurisdictions Recognition for Intellectual Property (IP) Applications |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
2020 |
Prof H Stoffberg Prof X Liu |
Vice-Principle's Award: Most Profolic Innovator Over The Past Five Years |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
Prof M Mkansi |
Most Profilic Innovator: Copyright-Protected Innovations |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
|
Prof J Dewar and Mr C Groeneveld Prof T.A.M Msagati Prof L.W Snyman and Mr R Kene |
First Patent Granted Award: Examining Jurisdictions |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Science, Engineering and Technology Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
2019 |
Prof M. Mkansi |
Prolific Innovator Over the Past Five years Most Prolific Innovator in 2019: Copyright Protected Innovation Category |
Economic and Management Sciences |
|
Prof L. Snyman |
Prolific Innovator Over the Past Five years First Patent Granted in South Africa Award: A Power System |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof M. Maaza |
Most Prolific Innovator in 2019: Industrial Property Category 2019 Patent Application Incentive: Nanofluids and a Method of Making Nanofluids |
Graduate Studies |
|
|
Prof D. Glasser (retired) Prof D. Hildebrandt Prof X. Lu |
First Patent Granted in Examining Jurisdictions/ Country Award Fixed Bed Reactor (Australia 2018) |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
|
Prof J.D Dewar (retired) Mr C. Groeneveld |
First Patent Granted in South Africa Award: Waste Beer Recovery |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
| Prof T.A.M Msagati |
First Patent Granted in South Africa Award: Recovery of Crude Oil |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof H. Stoffberg |
First Patent Granted in South Africa Award: Irrigation Sprinkler |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
|
|
Prof K.K Kebede Prof B.B Mamba |
2019 Patent Application Incentive: A Process for Treating Acid Mine Drainage |
Science, Engineering and Technology |
|
| Prof M.M Ntwasa |
2019 Patent Application Incentive: Anti-cancer Drug Combination |
Agriculture and Environmental Sciences |
Last modified: 2024/04/22