Five researchers from Stellenbosch University (SU) have been selected to represent the university at the annual National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards. The ceremony will take place on 21 July as a hybrid event to be broadcasted from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
The NSTF/South32 Awards recognise, celebrate and reward the outstanding contributions of individuals, teams and organisations to science, engineering and technology in the country. This is according to SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen, in email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The NSTF/South32 Awards has been referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ due to its prestigious awards, which SU recognises as the most sought after of its kind in the country.
Prof Guy Midgley from the department of botany and zoology at Stellenbosch University (SU), is one of five researchers who will be representing the university at the annual National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards. Midgley, who is nominated for the Lifetime Award, is based at SU’s natural sciences building. In his office hangs a certificate commemorating a Nobel Peace Prize Midgley received as a member of the team who worked on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2007. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
“Every year thousands of scientists throughout South Africa from [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] are nominated in my category and only 10 are identified as finalists,” said Dr Wynand Goosen, who is part of SU’s department of biomedical sciences. Goosen was nominated for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher. “This will be my fourth consecutive year reaching the top 10 as the youngest of the finalists,” he told MatieMedia in email correspondence.
The four other researchers representing SU are Prof Gerhard Walzl and Prof Guy Midgley, both nominated for the Lifetime Award; Prof Nox Makunga, nominated for the Communication Award; and Prof Oluwe Makinde, nominated for the Engineering Research Capacity Development and Special Annual Theme Awards. This was first announced by SU’s official website.
An institution for science
“Stellenbosch really does pride itself on its research focus,” said Midgley, who is from the department of botany and zoology at SU. “There is little doubt that we are growing as a force in scientific publication and research excellence,” he said. Midgley, who is interim director at SU’s climate studies school, has also been nominated for the Green Economy award at the NSTF/South32 Awards.
Prof Guy Midgley is a professor at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) department of botany and zoology, as well as the interim director of SU’s school for climate studies. Midgley has recently been nominated for the Lifetime Award at the annual National Science and Technology Forum/South32 Awards, as well as the Green Economy award, according to communication from SU’s official website and social media accounts. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Walzl’s nomination for the Lifetime Award is in recognition of a “team that has worked together for 20 years rather than an individual award”, he told MatieMedia. In a similar vein to Midgley, he said that SU offers an excellent platform for research, especially at the department of biomedical sciences.
Walzl’s research focuses on tuberculosis. His translational research, which turns scientific discoveries into clinically applicable tools to treat and diagnose tuberculosis patients, is what underpins his nomination, he said.
A rewarding day job
“It is a great honour to get recognised for your day job,” said Midgley, who added that his nomination results from an accumulation of work he has done since the 1980s. According to Midgley, much of his work was produced during his time at the national biodiversity institute, where he worked for over 30 years.
Makinde’s nominations are based on his “outstanding research contributions and postgraduate training in the field of applied mathematics and engineering sciences over the past 10 years”, he told MatieMedia via email correspondence.
Stellenbosch University’s (SU) department of botany and zoology is based at SU’s natural sciences building. National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)/South32 Awards finalists Prof Guy Midgley and Prof Nox Makunga are members of this department. While the building hosts many lectures, a large amount of research is also undertaken in its laboratories, said Midgley. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Makinde, who works at SU’s department of mathematics, said he has published over 500 research papers in peer-review journals, and edited over 10 advanced research textbooks in engineering sciences and technology.