Page 51 - DUT Annual Report 2024

The NRF Staff Research Grants have witnessed consistent growth in recent years. In 2023 the research grants awarded amounted to R14,997,023, and a substantial 10% increase was achieved in 2024, with a total of R16,506,385 raised. This is significant growth compared to previous years.
The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) bolstered its research initiatives with national and international partnerships, focusing on research in water, wastewater technology, biofuels, and water-based epidemiology. In Q4 IWWT secured R300,000 from the BRICS Science, Technology, and Innovation Framework Programme to fund collaborative research projects. The institute also published 11 articles in high-impact Q1 journals, addressing important research topics such as the effects of pesticides on wastewater treatment, anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) bacterial growth, and the use of microalgae and nanotechnology in eco-friendly remediation.
The DUT was awarded the prestigious Science Shop Grant from NRF-SAASTA, in collaboration with the Ndwedwe community. This three-year project, initiated in 2022, focuses on engaging the local community through participatory research, fostering sustainable development and community-driven solutions to local challenges.
International collaborations continue to grow, with partnerships including the International Nursing Network for HIV Research at Columbia University, Boitekanelo College of Health Sciences in Botswana, and Travnik University in Bosnia. A key initiative underway is a short learning programme on health and safety in the minibus taxi industry, which will involve collaboration with these international partners.
The Food and Nutrition Department under the Faculty of Applied Sciences has partnered with UNICEF South Africa and the DUT UNICEF Campus Club to launch South Africa’s first choice architecture project at a higher education institution, aiming to promote healthier food choices among students. A collaboration event was held on 25 October 2024 with vendors and stakeholders from various university campuses, followed by a meeting on 27 November. The project will begin in 2025. In Horticulture, academic staff maintain collaborations with multiple universities, including the University of Johannesburg, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and others. The KZN Industrial Energy Efficient Training and Resource Centre (IEETR) Centre in Physics finalised a funding agreement with Deutsche Gesellschaft Feur Internationale (GIZ) in December 2024 to train 100 female Technical Vocational Education and Training lecturers in green energy, with the programme set to begin in March 2025. In Sports Studies, the department supported Karate South Africa in hosting the 11th Commonwealth Karate Championships in Durban from 27 November to 1 December 2024, attracting 25 countries.
Supported by Research and Postgraduate Support, the Confucius Institute and the International Education and Partnerships Directorate, the DUT continues to strengthen its international collaborations, with strong ties to institutions in Chile, Italy, the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, India, Mexico, and China. The China delegation visit in November 2024 resulted in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Shenzhen Polytechnic University, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Xiamen City University. These agreements focus on artificial intelligence, health sciences, traditional Chinese medicine, and internationalized curriculum development. Additionally, the University has formalised partnerships with institutions such as Guangzhou Medical University, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology, and Guangzhou Maritime University. Future collaboration efforts will include joint research projects, student and faculty exchanges, and curriculum alignment to support cross-border education initiatives.
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