On Friday, 19 July 2024, the University of Venda hosted an exciting Research Open Day. The event featured engaging presentations from esteemed postgraduate student researchers showcasing their groundbreaking work across various disciplines. Attendees were able to engage directly with the researchers and gain a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge research happening at UNI-VEN.
Prof Jabulani Makhubele
According to Prof Jabulani Makhubele, Director of Research and Innovation, when introducing the external guests, the Research Open Day provides an interactive platform for our esteemed re-searchers to showcase their latest findings and network with fellow enthusiasts, postgraduate stu-dents, and other researchers. The event not only presents an opportunity to gain deeper insights into the research being conducted at UNIVEN, but also creates a forum for discussing ideas and exploring potential collaborations for future projects.”
The 2024 UNIVEN Research Open Day welcomed various companies and organisations such as the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), National Research Foundation (NRF), National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and Technology Innovation Agency (TIA).
Prof Nosisi Feza, UNIVEN’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, highlighted the significance of the Research Open Day, expressing her appreciation for the esteemed guests and emphasising the role of research in knowledge creation, problem-solving, economic growth, informed decision-making, and education and training.
Prof. Feza continued, “at UNIVEN, we pride ourselves on our commitment to research that improves the quality of life and advances our society.
Our research goes beyond the traditional boundaries of science, exploring the rich tapestry of hu-man culture and social development, enriching understanding of our communities and the world. The research showcased at our event is not just a theoretical exercise, but a call to action for a better tomorrow.”
Prof. Feza concluded by encouraging the audience to uphold the highest standards of integrity in their research endeavors, emphasising the importance of academic integrity and ethical behavior. She said, “Research must be conducted with utmost integrity, avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic honesty. We cannot afford to compromise our principles in pursuit of discovery. If we lose sight of ethics and integrity in research, we risk wasting resources, violating ethical standards, and betraying our responsibility to society.”
The 2024 UNIVEN Research Open Day also featured a dynamic booth competition, where research-ers had the opportunity to showcase their research in an engaging and informative manner. With vibrant displays of posters and experimental setups, interactive elements, the booths effectively communicated the topic, methodology, findings, and real-world implications of each research proj-ect. An esteemed panel of faculty judges were present to evaluate each booth, considering factors such as creativity, clarity, scientific merit, and audience engagement.
Amongst the postgraduate student researchers who participated in the event, Mr. Matimba Mal-uleke, expressed his excitement for the 2024 UNIVEN Research Open Day, stating “This day has been nothing short of amazing. Not only did I showcased my research, but I also gained valuable feedback from my peers, professors and experts. This experience has affirmed my belief in the importance of research and the need for collaboration and engagement.”
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University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
