Research and Innovation Awards 2023
Prof Puleng LenkaBula
Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Unisa
R&I Awards: a proud tradition that keeps on evolving
Now in their 12th year, the Unisa Research & Innovation (R & I) Awards have become a proud tradition for the University of South Africa. They are and a symbol of distinction for the researchers and innovators who are the recipients of R&I awards.
It should be noted that longevity and tradition are not to be understood in a formulaic way. Each edition of the R&I Awards has its own uniqueness, as it will again become apparent on 21 April 2023 when we will host the 12th edition of the R&I Awards.
An important difference this time is that the university has decided to present seven Chancellor’s Awards – six for Research Excellence and one for Innovation Excellence. The preceding change is significant because
the Chancellor’s Award is the highest honour that Unisa can bestow on a staff member. The fact that six of our researchers – twice as many as last year – will receive this honour on 21 April is testament to the depth and breadth of research at our university. Our efforts to broaden the pool of top-quality researchers are paying off.
Never has a Unisa innovator been honoured through the Chancellor’s Award for Innovation Excellence in this way. Hence, the introduction of this award is also, one of the clearest indicators of how important innovation has become to the university. It is fitting that such an important change happens during the year of our 150 years celebrations.
When the knowledge we generate is converted into tangible inventions that can translate into the solution of societal problems, then we know we are living up to our vision as an African university shaping futures in the service of humanity.
The 2023 R&I Awards, which recognise achievements made in 2022, also show growth and development in other respects.
To mention just one example of this growth: 20 of our researchers and innovators are being recognised for their success in securing much-needed external grant funding of at least R500 000. In an era of rapidly diminishing research funding, for which there is vigorous competition across South Africa, it is no mean feat to bring in the grant funding of this magnitude.
What remains the same, however, year after year, is that the R&I Awards are an expression of Unisa’s deep appreciation of and pride in our most outstanding researchers and innovators. You have held the university’s name high. We salute you.