Page 29 - DUT Excellence Semester 2

MADONDO AND MTHETHWA ARE PROUD RECIPIENTS MAGUBANE’S BOOK EXPLORES LOVEIN THE ERA OF
OF THE RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD FOR NEXT GENERATION RESEARCHERS
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) continues to be at the forefront of research capacity development, which is in line with its Strategic Plan’s Strategic Focus Area 2: Building research and innovation for development.
Two DUT doctoral students, Nhlanganiso Madondo and Nonsikelelo Precious Mthethwa were the proud recipients in the category of Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers.The announcement was made at the 2022 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards gala event held in Cape Town.The award ceremony was held in celebration of the ‘International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development’.
This award received by Madondo and
Mthethwa recognises excellence in research performance by doctoral students from any discipline who are currently funded by the NRF. Eight awards were made under this category in the knowledge fields of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law; Life Sciences; Physical Sciences; and Engineering.
Madondo is studying towards his PhD in Chemical Engineering with his research focus on anaerobic digestion using bioelectrochemical system and metallic additives, where he is investigating the effect of electrochemical efficiencies on methane yield.
He could not contain his excitement upon hearing of his achievement. “I am greatly pleased to be selected for such an academic honour for
Waheeda Peters
this part it is big respect and a privilege. It is not possible for me to show my thankfulness in words. I am immensely grateful for the award that is given to me, even my self-belief will be improved by this NRF award and will help me to accomplish success in the future,” he said.
Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation & Engagement, Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung said:“We need more students like Madondo and Mthethwa who can perform their best. They deserve this NRF award. Congratulations on their incredible success.”
Going forward, Madondo has submitted a manuscript (Utilization of Response Surface Methodology in Optimization and Modelling
of a Microbial Electrolysis Cell for Wastewater Treatment using Box- Behnken Design Method) to MDPI Catalysts with an impact factor of 4.501; the current status of this paper is ‘pending editor decision’ after undergoing ‘minor revisions’.
“I am currently working on another paper,‘Application of Magnetite Nanoparticles and Constant Magnetic Field on a Microbial Fuel Cell in Anaerobic Digestion’ after being invited by the guest editor to contribute to a special issue entitled, ‘Microbial Fuel Cell and Microbial Electrolysis Cell.’ This paper will be submitted to MDPI Microorganisms with an impact factor of 4.926. I am also planning to publish four more papers this year as well as a chapter of a book, which will contribute to research in my field,” he added proudly.
Pictured: Nhlanganiso Madondo
27 DUT EXCELLENCE 2022 // SEMESTER 2