Page 53 - DUT Annual Report 2024

Creative outputs
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
0
2018 2019
2020 2021 2022
YEAR
2023 2024
7
6,5
3,33
1,5
0
Figure 21: Creative research outputs awarded to DUT since policy introduction, 2019–2023
The accumulation of units for creative research outputs has shown consistent growth over the last five-year cycle (Figure 21). It is also important to highlight that 6 years into policy implementation the DUT has yet to submit innovations for DHET evaluation; however, the Technology Transfer and Innovation Directorate has several strategies in place that will serve as the roadmap for building a robust regional innovation ecosystem. Over the next two years the DUT will focus on key enablers: strengthening the Technology Transfer Office, launching targeted programmes like the Technology Transfer Accelerator and Living Labs, and developing innovation indices and regional funding mechanisms.
RESEARCH IMPACT AND RANKINGS 2023
The DUT has reaffirmed its position as a leader in academic excellence, securing an impressive 11th place in the prestigious 2024 Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings. This remarkable ascent from 13th place in 2023 underscored the DUT’s unwavering dedication to transformative education, impactful research and innovation. The 2024 rankings featured 129 universities from 22 countries across the sub-Saharan region, highlighting the DUT’s growing influence and commitment to shaping the future of higher education.
NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION-RATED RESEARCHERS
The NRF describes the rating system (https://www.nrf.ac.za/rating/), as a key driver in the NRF’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa. It is a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. NRF ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers. The rating system encourages researchers to publish high-quality outputs in high-impact journals/outlets. Rated researchers as supervisors will impart cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers.
The rating of individuals is based primarily on the quality and impact of their research outputs over the past 8 years, taking into consideration the evaluation made by local and international peers. It identifies researchers who count among the leaders in their fields of expertise, and gives recognition to those who constantly produce high-quality research outputs. Several South African universities use the outcomes of the NRF evaluation and rating process to position themselves as research-intensive institutions, while others provide incentives for their staff members to acquire and maintain a rating, and give special recognition to top-rated researchers. Table 7 indicates that there were 61 NRF-rated researchers at DUT for 2024.
DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2024
51
OUTPUTS