Research

Prizes

The Research and Innovation Portfolio recognises research excellence through the following prizes and awards:

The Principal’s Prize for Research Excellence

The Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Research is the second highest prize for research at Unisa following the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research. Both of these accolades are aimed at acknowledging research excellence and research performance.

The Prize is targeted at young and developing researchers (not older than 35 years) or groups who have achieved academic research excellence of the highest quality as published in the preceding two years. The research cohort comprises of scholars who are generally in the minority throughout the national higher education system. Traditionally awarded bi-annually, it alternates with the Principal’s Prize for Excellence in Research.

In 2022 for the first time, the Chancellor and Principal's Prizes were renamed Awards and are now both presented in the same year.

2021

Recipient College
Prof Usisipho Feleni Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Jan Maluleka Human Sciences
Prof Mlungisi Phakathi Human Sciences

2020

Recipient College
Dr Jan-Harm de Villiers Law
Dr Catherine le Roux Economic and Management Sciences
Dr Elvis Nkoana Education
Ms Alicia Weber Economic and Management Sciences

2018

Recipient College
Dr Andy Carolin Human Sciences
Dr Safia Mahomed Law
Prof Lindelani Mnguni Education
Ms Suvania Naidoo Human Sciences

2016

Recipient College
Prof Ndikho Mtshiselwa Human Sciences

2014

Recipient College
Prof Intaher Ambe Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Marlene Wethmar-Lemmer Law
Prof François Mulenga Science, Engineering and Technology

2012

Recipient College
Kunofiwa Tsaurai Economic and Management Sciences
Dr Babatunde Fagbayibo Law
Prof Zenghui Wang Science, Engineering and Technology
Dr Puleng Segalo Human Sciences
Prof Philip Stroop Law

2011

Recipient College
Prof Ayo Afolabi Science Engineering and Technology
Mr Chris de Wet Human Sciences
Prof Anel Ferreira-Snyman Law
Prof Elmarie Kritzinger Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Inderasan Naidoo Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Kedibone Phago Economic and Management Sciences
Mr Jacobus Vermeulen Economic and Management Sciences

Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in Research

The Chancellor’s Prize for Excellence in Research is regarded as the most prestigious prize for research and innovation at Unisa. Formerly, awarded every second year and alternating with the Principal’s Prize, it rewards high-quality published research by permanent Unisa researchers and research groups.

2021

Recipient College
Prof Mishack Gumbo Education
Prof Moeketsi Letseka UNESCO Chair on Open and Distance Learning, College of Education
Prof Gerhard Prinsloo Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

2019

Recipient College

Prof Michael Antwi

Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Prof Noor Davids

Education

Prof Mokhotjwa Dhlamini

Science, Engineering and Technology

Prof David Hedding

Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Prof Sin-Yu Ho

Economic and Management Sciences

Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra

Science, Engineering and Technology

Prof Mpho Ngoepe

Human Sciences

Prof Godwell Nhamo

Economic and Management Sciences

Prof Zenghui Wang

Science, Engineering and Technology

2017

Recipient College

Prof Barry Ackers

Accounting Sciences

Prof David Hedding

Agriculture and Environment Sciences

Prof Godwell Nhamo

Economic and Management Sciences

Prof Patrick Ngulube

Graduate Studies

Prof Azwihangwisi Mavhandu-Mudzusi

Human Sciences

Prof Babatunde Fagbayibo

Law

Prof Anthony de Villiers Minnaar

Law

Prof Themba Dube

Science, Engineering and Technology

Prof François Mulenga

Science, Engineering and Technology

Prof Renier Steyn

Graduate School of Business Leadership

2015

Recipient College
Prof Fhatuwani Mudau Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Prof Norma Romm Education
Prof Melinde Coetzee Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Olusegun Akanbi Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Godfrey Nhamo Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Eric Udjo Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Malik Maaza Graduate Studies
Prof Kopano Ratele Graduate Studies
Prof Lindiwe Zungu Human Sciences

2013

Recipient College
Prof Vuyisile Msila Education
Prof Michael van Wyk Education
Prof Shenzhi Du Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Temba Dube Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Judy van Biljon Science, Engineering and Technology
Prof Andre Mangu Law
Prof Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni Graduate Studies
Prof Patrick Ngulube Graduate Studies
Prof Frans Cilliers Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Busani Moyo Economic and Management Sciences
Prof Renier Steyn Graduate School of Business Leadership

Last modified: 2023/08/07