Page 56 - DUT Annual Report 2023

RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND
ENGAGEMENT
University Engagement around Research
and Innovation
Engagement with internal and external stakeholders is a vital aspect of ENVISION2030. By actively involving these stakeholders in the goals and processes of ENVISION2030, the university has reaped numerous benefits. Stakeholders bring diverse perspectives and experiences, enabling the university to consider a wide range of viewpoints and make more comprehensive and well-informed decisions. As a cornerstone of academic distinction, DUT leads the way in research innovation, community involvement, and global outreach.
It is commendable to see how engagement is being recognised as a key aspect for the success of the university in advancing and disseminating knowledge in an environment that emphasises collaborative efforts to address various challenges at the local, national, and global levels. The acknowledgment of engagement, alongside other important factors, such as teaching- learning, innovation, research, and entrepreneurship, demonstrates a holistic approach to fostering growth and impact within the university community.
By celebrating engagement as an essential pillar within the university’s framework, the institution acknowledges the significance of actively involving various stakeholders, including students, staff, researchers, industry partners, and the broader community. This inclusive approach not only enhances the learning experience but also paves the way for innovative solutions to complex problems through collaborative efforts and interdisciplinary approaches.
The report also tracks the impact of each of these activities in fulfilling the strategic objectives of ENVISION2030 and how they contribute to changing the lives and livelihoods of communities. Engagement in the academic and research programmes, with accreditable output such as research publications and creative outputs, is important in developing the engagement scholarship and accessing grants that support the academic workstream.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) staff research grants have witnessed consistent growth in recent years. In 2022, the research grant awarded amounted to R11,607,356.88 and a substantial 72% increase was achieved in 2023, with a total of R19,997,022.78 raised. This signifies significant growth compared to previous years.
The Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) actively collaborates with researchers nationally and internationally, contributing significantly to the aforementioned research productivity units. The institute focuses on key research areas such as water, wastewater technology, biofuels, and water-based epidemiology. Over 75% of IWWT’s published articles are in Q1 journals, with an average impact factor of 5.60, emphasising the high quality of their research and publications. In 2023 IWWT secured substantial funding totalling R4,850,000.00 for new projects from outside funding sources, reinforcing its commitment to advancing cutting-edge research and technology in the water and wastewater domain.
The DHET recognises art-based research outputs (creative research outputs). By the end of 2023, the Faculty of Arts and Design confirmed the compilation of 10 works for the envisaged report, making DUT the leading UoT in terms of submissions and units awarded. The increased output is attributed to sustained faculty initiatives and support for creative researchers, putting DUT in competition with institutions such as the University of Cape Town and other traditional universities.
The Department of Mathematics, in collaboration with the Knowledge for Change International Consortium under the UNESCO Chair in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education, participated in the Bridging Knowledge Cultures Research Project. This project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, resulted in a chapter by DUT representatives included in the edited volume “Bridging Knowledge Cultures: Rebalancing
Power in the Co-Construction of Knowledge,” published by Brill in December 2023. A panel of contributors is expected to present their findings at the 10th Living Knowledge Conference in Giron, Spain, from June 26–28, 2024.
The Department of Physics secured SETA funding from the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) for the DUT Infrastructure Support Solar PV Boat and Hydrogen Boat, amounting to R2,120,000.00, supporting research in the field of renewable energy.
The Department of Statistics collaborated with UKZN and UNISA, resulting in three research publications focusing on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, HIV, and nonparametric analysis of discrete time competing risk. The Department of Biotechnology has four major research areas: Enzyme Technology, Plant Biotechnology, Food Security and Nutrition, and Bioinformatics and Drug Discovery. Some researchers in the department have been recognised with research excellence awards for their contributions.
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DUT ANNUAL REPORT 2023