The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture under the leadership of Prof Natasha Potgieter recently hosted Prof John Kinuthia who is the renowned Professor of Innovation and Engagement in Civil Engineering and the Head of Advancement Materials Testing Center at the School of Engi-neering in South Wale University, United Kingdom (UK). Prof Kinuthia’s visit was jointly organised by Dr Sphiwe Emmanuel Mhlongo (Head of the Department of Earth Sciences), Dr Rabelani Mudziel-wana (Senior Lecturer Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences), and Prof Lutendo Murulana (Deputy Dean Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture). Both involved departments conduct research on the characterisation of earth materials (including mine waste material) for their suitability for utilisation in the construction in-dustry. 
This made Prof Kinuthia the best candidate to deliver a public lecture on the sustainable development of construction materials and civil infrastructure.The public lecture took place at the University of Venda (Agric-Two Flat Lecture Theatre Hall). Prof Lutendo Murulana officially opened the event and welcomed Prof Kinuthia at the University of Venda. During the welcome, he highlighted that the visit contributes significantly to the University ’s strategic objective of strengthening the University of Venda’s local, regional, and international profile and visibility. He further extended an invitation to Prof Kinuthia to become a visiting professor and consider participating in the co-supervision of postgraduate students within the faculty.Prof Kinuthia’s presentation focused on Approaches to Sustainable Development of Infrastructure. At the beginning of his talk, Prof Kinuthia highlighted the challenges associated with using Portland cement in the construction industry. He cited the high carbon dioxide emission from Portland ce-ment production as the main factor contributing to the environmental unfriendliness of this type of cement. He indicated that this has necessitated research that looks at the possible use of locally available materials such as clays, waste from industries, and agriculture in the construction sector to find a replacement for Portland cement.
In his presentation, he used case studies of the work he carried out in different African countries and from his laboratory to demonstrate how building materials can be sourced and produced from locally available materials.In conclusion, he encouraged the audience to prioritise conducting research that have a positive impact on the communities. In this case, he emphasised the fact that the University of Venda is strategically placed for this as it is surrounded by rural communities that need massive transformation through action-orientated research. He further highlighted the need for multi-disciplinary research, encouraging departments and the university at large to collaborate with communities and relevant government bodies for impactful research.
Dr Mhlongo gave closing remarks. He highlighted some areas of potential collaboration and outlined the challenges that the Department of Earth Sciences, as well as the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, have been facing in their research groups regarding the successful development of materials for sustainable use. He indicated that both departments could benefit greatly from the collaboration with an experienced researcher like Prof Kinuthia. Dr Mhlongo further acknowledged the large audience of staff and students from the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture for participating in the lecture by Prof Kinuthia.
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