Page 21 - Unisa CSET Mid Year Highlights 2025 Digital

Q&A
Prof Linda Linganiso (Position: Professor of Circular Economy, Former Head: Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions, CSET
A quote or bible verse that you live by:
Overcoming Adversity with Unconditional love and Compassion.
Reflect on your upbringing and how you ended up in the sciences?
Both my parents were academics. Teaching to them was a 24-hour job. Schooling was a 24-hour thing for us kids too.
Reflect on your journey to becoming a Head of portfolio at Unisa
I was appointed at the beginning of the year as the senior professor of the Institute for Catalysis & Energy Solutions (ICES). From July, CSET Leadership and Management seconded me to ICES to act as the head of the institute, perhaps their choice was based on the fact that I do have experiences in Leadership and Management of Institutions of Higher Learning. It was a matter of tapping into the skills I already have and create value for CSET using ICES vehicle. All the same, the opportunity presented a platform for me to learn and unlearn a number of things. The culture at UNISA is different and that transformed my life drastically. I’m grateful for growth – looking forward to reform as I tap into other transformative platforms at CSET. They are all necessary for the needed growth.
Balancing Research and Leadership in the colleges
It is very difficult for me to balance Research & Leadership, currently. I am working on a review article on latest trends in Circular Economy currently, and I will be the only author in the review. It is taking a bit of time to complete. All the same, I will not compromise my research integrity due to leadership pressure. I will develop the review until it is completed and submit it for publication. I am also currently supervising three PhD students. Management of Research & Leadership requires high morals standards, ethics and integrity in one’s undertakings. This experience has kept me on my knees. I am humbled by the fact that we really must juggle and get things done the right way for the benefit of humanity and society at large.
Are there any Unique challenges experienced by being a female leaders? If so, how have you learnt to overcome them?
There are many unique challenges and experiences we encounter each day as female leaders. I wish to highlight the fact that institutional culture is the determining factor in terms of what we experience as female leaders in Institutions of Higher Learning. Different Higher Education Institutions have dissimilar cultures hence different experiences. My advice would be that Higher Education Institutions must invest in instilling a culture which embodies organisational values and principles to encourage males to show respect towards female leaders in strategic roles.
The strategy to overcome challenges: Love has two sides to it. There is “black” love and “Light” love. Light love is an intense feeling of deep affection I share with humanity whereas “Black” Love means restriction and judgment. Restriction is critical to redirect or correct bad behaviour and misconduct to reform those who are placed under your care. They must be aware of consequences of impulsive behaviour; I raise their awareness. When their level of awareness has been elevated, they realise their short comings and apologize. We work in harmony going forward.
Successes or wins that you want to share in your journey as a researcher and leader within the portfolio that you lead?
A director position to me means giving a clear direction for the people you lead, developing Strategies, Policies, Guidelines and Systems and Processes to Optimize Operations. It also means establishing structures, programs and initiatives to pave the way for the next generations. Additionally, it means having the capabilities to unlock the potential and Capabilities, inspiring those you lead (both students and academics). I have, in collaboration with CSET Leadership and Management established strategic initiatives to reinforce new development for growth.
Any interesting projects that you are currently working on that you wish to highlight?
I’m very excited about the Students Training Centre we are planning to establish in collaboration with CSET and Private Sector. A platform which will offer our students industrial experiences to improve our throughput rates. It will assist UNISA to meet some of the DHET approved targets as stipulated in DHET University Capacity Development Program for students’ Training & Development. The program has a potential to attract funding from the SETAs.
Define tomorrow.
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