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Conferences:
2022 iNanoWS Guvhangano
Unisa's Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability recently hosted the highly
successful 2022 iNanoWS Guvhangano under the theme Think Globally, Research Locally,
which attracted the attendance of more than 200 key stakeholders from industry, academia and
government; all working in the eld of water treatment and sustainability.
"Guvhangano" means "conference" in the Tshivenda language and this year marked the second
instalment of the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) conference
after the institute successfully hosted their inaugural Guvhangano in September 2021, under
the theme Advancing competitive innovation through partnerships.
In 2021, the inaugural iNanoWS Guvhangano included the official launch of iNanoWS as an
institute of Unisa operating under the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET)
and the introduction of the advisory board members of the institute. The conference received
widespread support from countries within the African continent, as well as countries further
aeld such as India, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
This year, the Guvhangano focused on three strategic key focus areas:
Separation Science and Technologies (keynote lecture delivered by Prof Paul Westerhoff,
Arizona State University)
Natural Organic Matter in natural and Engineered Water Systems (lecture delivered by Prof
Thabo Nkambule, iNanoWS)
Membrane Science and Technology (lecture delivered by Dr Mxolisi Motsa.
Master's and doctoral students from iNanoWS also had an opportunity to present their
research work during oral and poster sessions. Notably, one of the doctoral students from
iNanoWS, Kopano Mokubung, gave an exceptional oral presentation which landed him a skills
development position (an equivalent of a post-doctoral fellowship) at the Water Research
Commission upon completion of his doctoral studies. "This is an exciting opportunity for me,"
said Kopano. "It will provide me with exposure to grow my research ideas and serve as
motivation to other upcoming researchers."
As part of the 2022 iNanoWS Guvhangano proceedings, Prof Johannes Haarhoff, a renowned
South African water practitioner with a record of designing water treatment plants in South
Africa, launched his book entitled An introduction to municipal water quality management. The
book has been published by Unisa Press and the launch was the rst of its kind at CSET. Haarhoff
was appointed at the former Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, where
he was responsible for mentoring emerging scholars. The Guvhangano was also used as an
opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge student excellence at iNanoWS, with outstanding
students awarded certicates and prize money to the value of R3 000 under different
categories. These include Best Academic Student (master's student), awarded to Alfred Kajua;
Best Academic Student (doctoral student), awarded to Adewale Oladipo; and Best Citizenship
Student awarded to Phumlile Mamba and Ratanang Mlaba.
* By Dr Nozipho N Gumbi, Acting Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Science, Engineering and Technology.
\ iNanoWS).
CSET 2022 HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 57
