NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION (NRF) APPROVES PROPOSALS FOR “WELL-FOUNDED LABORATORY EQUIPMENT” FOR VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

The National Research Foundation (NRF) recently approved proposals for the National Equipment Programme submitted by VUT in order to acquire the following research equipment, namely:   X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR).  The equipment will support the institution’s Operational Plan in developing research in key strategic focus areas and more importantly in areas which the institution is actively involved. 

The acquisition of the above-mentioned equipment will strengthen the institution’s research capacity in areas such as water research, characterisation of the chemical composition of materials and support for developing multidisciplinary research by Departments of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Food Sciences.  The equipment will also become a national asset since the university is part of the science community through its research capabilities, while on the other hand, it will provide access to other research communities to use the same equipment to conduct research in their own areas.  An added advantage is that all parties will learn and benefit from each other’s research studies.

The Vaal University of Technology is the only university in the Southern Gauteng region which has been identified by government as an economic development hub for the country. This was strengthened by the funding from the Department of Science and Technology for the formation of the Southern Gauteng Innovation Forum. The university’s location in the midst of industries such as Arcelormittal, Eskom and Sasol strengthen its position to contribute strategically to the development of the critical human resource capacity and knowledge needs of our country.

The university’s commitment to research has recently been registered most impressively at 89% in the growth of research outputs recorded in the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET) Research Output Report of January 2010 for 2009 research outputs.

The VUT’s Research Directorate wishes to congratulate the following staff members on their achievements and contribution to strengthening the institution’s research capacity and outputs:

1              Proposals to purchase research equipment:

• Prof A M Sipamla, from the Institute of Chemical and Biotechnology for the approved NRF funding to purchase the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR) to the value of R1 300 000,00;  and
• Prof P Mendonidis from the Department of Metallurgical Engineering for the approved NRF funding to purchase the X-Ray Diffractomer to the value of R1 299 000,00.

Prof. P Mendonidis                                                                       Prof. AM Sipamla

2              Approved NRF Rated Researchers:

• Prof O Aoyi from the Department of Chemical Engineering (Rating:  C3);  and
• Dr T B Tengen from the Department of Engineering & Operations Management (Rating: Y2).

Prof. O Aoyi                                                                                  Dr. TB Tengen