Page 8 - DUT 2025 Engagement Report Q1

the 65% NRF aggregate cut-off), were approved and submitted to NRF, with prioritization of 115 applications based on NRF criteria and guidelines. As of March 2025, 111 NRF Honours scholarships were approved at R16,705,012.00.The balance (four applications) are still being processed by NRF.
The KZN IEETR has successfully secured €75,000 in funding from GIZ for theWomenTVET LecturersTrain-the-Trainers Programme. Additionally, funding applications have been submitted to national energy organizations to support student internships for flagship boat projects.
Significant progress has been made within the Thin-Film Research Laboratory, while the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Research Group (RSERG) has expanded to include over 15 researchers from the fields of Applied Sciences, Engineering, the Built Environment, and Management Sciences. RSERG remains aligned with the ENVISION2030’s sustainability strategic objectives. The Centre is also actively collaborating with university research groups and international partners on a LEAP Application, an EU-South African initiative focused on micro-grids and standalone energy systems. Furthermore, a Hydrogen Laboratory has been established as a direct outcome of hydrogen boat research and development initiatives.
The IWWT continues its collaboration with national and international researchers in water and wastewater technology, biofuels, and water-based epidemiology. Additional funding achievements include R425,000 from the Water Research Commission (WRC) for adapting an existing side-stream anammox-mediated system for mainstream wastewater treatment, and R100,000 from the Tertiary Education Support Programme (TESP) for applying novel biotechnological processes for industrial effluent remediation.
International collaboration remains a priority, exemplified by the FAFU-DUT Doctoral Enhancement Programme, a partnership between DUT Research & Postgraduate Support Office and FAFU (China).
Notable contributions within the FMS include presentations at the Council of Higher Education Conference and ongoing international supervision collaborations. Key publications have explored public administration strategies, mining resettlements, organizational security culture, and BRICS+ trade policies.
Further funding milestones include R1,080,000 in bursary funding approved by merSETA for six DUT staff members in the Mechanical Engineering Department, R13,990,000 secured from SETA for 2025 to support Work Integrated Learning (WIL) and graduate internships, and R770,000 received for the ETDP SETA training programme, with additional tranches pending approval for INSETA Data Science and IBSA training programmes.Also, the Department of Community Health Studies under the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) received a grant of R1.3 million from HWSETA to support Masters and PhD students.
Through its faculties and research units, DUT has published a number of articles in Q1 Journals whilst also participating in conference attendance and presentations which assist postgraduate students and researchers to disseminate research findings at
national and international platforms. Noticeable, the IWWT achieved the acceptance and publication of 9 articles, with 100% appearing in Q1 Journals and an average impact Factor of 7.2 in this quarter. This allows our work to be critiqued by experts in the field and benchmarks our research to global standards. Conference attendance also allows our researchers and postgraduate students to network and establish collaboration with leading experts.
The continued success of research funding, publications, and collaborative projects underscores DUT’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact.With ongoing advancements in renewable energy, business and information management, water and wastewater research, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, the university is well-positioned to achieve its ENVISION2030 strategic objectives.
3.2 RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS
3.2.1 National Collaborations
The KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Energy Efficient Training & Resource Centre (KZN IEETR) under the DUT’s Physics Department, has established strategic partnerships with leading organizations such as Air Products, ElectroMechanica, SolarMD, FibreTech, EWSETA, and the Vaal University of Technology Station.These collaborations strengthen industry ties and facilitate knowledge transfer,enhancing research and innovation capabilities.
The Department of Construction Management and Quantity developed signed MoUs with the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and the KwaZulu-Natal Black Property Sector Association (KZNBPSA) in February 2025. These agreements aim to facilitate mutual cooperation between CETA and DUT, as well as KZNBPSA and DUT, in areas of academic research, industry collaboration, and professional training.The MoUs address knowledge-sharing, skills development, and sector transformation, particularly in youth participation, entrepreneurship, and equitable access to the property and construction industries.Additionally, the department collaborated with the Department of Public Works, KZN, to host a public lecture on “Construction Industry - Health and Safety Best Practices for the Built Environment and Related Sectors.” Additionally, the department also facilitated the MoU with the Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA), further strengthening industry partnerships and fostering opportunities for research and professional development.
3.2.2 International Collaborations
The Innobiz DUT is currently in the process of formalizing agreements with two Thai universities, which were visited earlier in the year. Additionally, the university has entered into an internship agreement with Université de la Réunion through the ESIROI programme, and a partnership development with Kumaraguru College of Technology in KZN IEETR is also underway.
The FAI continues to strengthen both international and regional partnerships, fostering collaborative opportunities in education, research, and skills development. One key initiative is the Southern Africa Netherlands Cyber School, a free programme developed in collaboration with the Hague Center for Strategic Studies, the
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