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and the University of Zagreb concurrently with the IAEA fellowship at the Ruđer Bo šković Institute (RBI) in
Croatia, has been a great honor and privilege to me. I of course owe a lot of it to my supervisors and mentors
Professors Sebata Moloi (from Unisa College of Science, Engineering and Technology), Professor Mandla
Msimanga (iThemba LABS/TUT) and Professors Bogdanovi ć Radovi ć (RBI) for the support they have given
and more importantly, for creating a conducive environment for growth and success.” According to Masedi
this award not only strengthens the relevance of his PhD work, but also ignites the promise of his greater
standing in the future of IBA. It is by this promise that in the growth of my career, I wish to continue working
not only for what I can achieve, but more importantly for what we, as South Africans can achieve through IBA
and ultimatley through the effective use of science to service mankind.

* By Dr Nozipho N Gumbi, Acting Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Science, Engineering
and Technology

Meet Collen Nepfumbada, a doctoral candidate at the Institute for
Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) who's research
focus is on the development of enzymatic-based biosensor system using a
combination of lanthanide and hexagonal Boron Nitride as a platform for
waste water management. His research focuses specically on the
monitoring of emerging pharmaceutical pollutants (i.e. antibiotics) in waste
water sources. He recently returned from his trip to Xiamen China where
he took part at the 7th Brazil, Russia, India, China & South Africa (BRICS)
Young Scientist Forum.

To receive the endorsement of participation at the 7th BRICS Young
Scientist Forum, a call was advertised with a wherein applicants needed to
submit their applications providing information about their research
project scope, novelty of the work and the solution that this work will solve
in water related research. Additionally, the nomination and motivation
providing the clear reasons for applying for the and 5th BRICS Young
Innovator Prize was required for this application. There were four research
themes for this programme and Collen's proposal was particularly
submitted under the Low- Carbon Technology research theme. Professor
Usisipho Feleni from iNanoWS, who is Collen's supervisor was very
instrumental in guiding him throughout the application process and in
outing together the submitted proposal document.

We asked him what this endorsement opportunity meant to him and his
career and this was what he had to say: “Personally, this was the best
opportunity or platform I have ever had in my entire life, where I get to
share my skills and knowledge in a room lled with my peer scholars from
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). This opportunity
provided me a clear view of what other countries are working on in trying

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