THREE researchers from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) have been announced as finalists for the prestigious 2023/2024 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) South32 Awards, which is referred to as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa.

The three DUT researchers who have been nominated are Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh, a research fellow/principal investigator with the Green Engineering Research Group (GERG); Prof Ajay Mishra, a professor in the Department of Chemistry, and Prof Saheed Sabiu, an associate professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Food Science. They have been chosen out of those individuals or organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation, under 14 different categories.

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Dr Tetteh and Prof Sabiu are nominated for the TW Kambule-NSTF Award in the Emerging Researcher category, which looks at an individual through their research and its outputs, who have conducted up to six years of research work in South Africa from the commencement of their research career. Meanwhile, Prof Mishra is nominated for the NSTF-Water Research Commission Award, which looks at an individual or an organisation that worked towards achieving sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions, with demonstrated leadership and impact over the last five to 10 years.

The first finalist, Prof Sabiu, apart from his active involvement in teaching and learning, including Collaborative International Online Learning (COIL), currently leads the Computational and Systems Biology Research Group, where they bioprospect for secondary metabolites against degenerative and microbial diseases for new small-molecule therapeutic-targets discovery and development.

When asked about his thoughts on the 2023/2024 NSTF-South32 Awards, Prof Sabiu commented that he was highly elated and humbled that his name was mentioned as a finalist. He emphasised the importance of such awards as they showcase the kind of relevant and timely research being conducted alongside the students and researchers involved in active research at the institution.

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The second finalist, Prof Mishra, described the NSTF Awards as one of the science hubs a person needs to represent with full pride.

“I am glad I have been nominated by DUT and, hopefully, will keep the DUT flag on a high note. One must always feel proud to be a part of the NSTF Awards,” he said.

Sharing his excitement on the nomination, the third finalist, Dr Tetteh, said, “My sterling research contribution in the field of SET and innovation in South Africa as a young emerging researcher made them consider my nomination that was submitted by the acting executive dean in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Sudesh Rathilal,” said Dr Tetteh.

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