Research and innovation at Unisa is a university-wide enterprise driven by academics as well as professional and administrative employees. To facilitate academic scholarship, research and innovation, the Department of Research, Innovation & Commercialisation (DRIC) supports, rewards and recognises excellence in research and innovation aligned with the Unisa 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
Exceptional researchers or research groups with outputs and innovations that have had major impact and implications are recognised in the following categories:
Research Category
- Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research
- Principal’s Award for Excellence in Research
- VP: RPSIC Award for Excellence in Research – WiR Research Leadership Award
- VP: RPSIC Award for Excellence in Research – WiR Emerging Researcher Award
- VP: RPSIC Award – Youngest Female Doctoral Graduate Award
- CODeL Research: Best Research Paper Award
Innovation & Commercialisation Category
- Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Innovation
- Principal’s Award for Excellence in Innovation
External Recognitions Category
- Half Million Rand Club and Million Rand Club
- Research Excellence
- Learned Society Memberships
- Outstanding Research