Two University of Venda (UNIVEN) staff members in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture are nominated for the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) awards. Dr Lawrence Diko-Makia has been nominated as a finalist in three (03) categories for the 2022 NSTF-South 32 Awards. These categories include the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher; Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation and the Special Annual Theme Award (Application of basic sciences for sustainable development) while Dr Eric Maluta has been nominated in the category of Communication Award for outreach and creating awareness for Vuwani Science Resource Centre.
Dr Diko Makia – Y2 NRF Rated Researcher – Senior Lecturer – Department of Earth Sciences
Dr Diko Makia mentioned that his nomination should be seen as a victory for all researchers who remain resilient in the face of adverse and very challenging research environments. He continued to mention that he is grateful for this nomination and further thanked the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka and other members of the Faculty Research Committee for the internal nomination. Dr Diko Makia is a Y2 NRF Rated Researcher and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Earth Sciences. His nomination is based on his contribution to science and innovation in the area of Clay and Clay Minerals Valorization for Industrial and Geomedicinal Application.
.
Dr Eric Maluta, Head of Physics and Coordinator of Vuwani Science Resource Centre
Dr Maluta mentioned that the nomination has come at the right moment as the Science Centre is mitigating the basic science to learners as we celebrate the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development.
The Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Prof Mokgalaka congratulated both Dr Lawrence Diko Makia and Dr Eric Maluta’s selfless dedications over the years. She wished them best of luck in the upcoming awards ceremonies and said that, may they finally get national recognitions.
.
The NSTF Awards is the flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). The awards were established in 1998 as a collaborative effort to recognise and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering, and technology (SET) and innovation by SET-related professionals, teams and organisations in South Africa (SA). This includes experienced researchers, engineers, innovators, science communicators, engineering research capacity builders, and organisational managers/leaders, as well as data and research managers. Since 2015 it was re- branded as the NSTF-South 32 Awards following the partnership with South32 (a resources company which was established after the demerger of BHP Billiton).
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 25 April 2022
