CPUT is fast becoming a leading institution in the national higher education research arena.

Based on an analysis of journal publications, conference proceedings and book publications, CPUT has achieved a research output of 152.12 for the 2012 period.

This is the highest research output in the history of CPUT and more than 30% than the previous year’s figures.

The reason for this surge in research output is clear – during the past few years, the university’s research mandate has been strongly emphasised.

Several new research groups have been established, and there has been an increase in research-driven staff appointments. The institution has also invested significantly in research infrastructure, secured additional funding and implemented various research strategies.

These impressive research statistics have been welcomed by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Dr Chris Nhlapo, and the Director of the Research Department, Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi.

Dr Nhlapo and Dr Mpako-Ntusi are both instrumental in driving research at CPUT, having conceptualised and implemented various reliable strategies to enhance research at the institution.

Dr Nhlapo, who is driving the Research and Technology Innovation Blueprint, says the CPUT community must now build on this impressive record.

He says the challenge now is for the CPUT community to see how they can use research to impact positively on the development of communities and industry, and to inform government policies.

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.

The importance and value of the National Research Foundation (NRF) rating, evaluation and eligibility issues as well as incentives associated with this international benchmark were the key issues discussed during an inaugural meeting with CPUT NRF-rated researchers recently.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Vuyisa Mazwi-Tanga and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships Dr Chris Nhlapo met with 15 NRF-rated researchers to support them in acquiring, improving and maintaining their ratings, which are an indicator of research excellence. Maintaining one's NRF status is a daunting task of not allowing the rating to lapse.

Nhlapo said the aim of the meeting was to show sincere appreciation to NRF-rated researchers for acquiring status and to help those who already rated to stay motivated. “Perhaps we should put a mechanism in place for the already-rated researchers to attain higher status such as an A-rating,” added Nhlapo. Mazwi-Tanga briefly shared with researchers aspects of Vision 2020 - an attempt to transform CPUT into a leading innovation academy. According to Mazwi-Tanga, she’s fully behind Dr Nhlapo and Director: Research Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi in their quest to increase CPUT research outputs.Nhlapo’s presentation centred around where CPUT is within the national system of innovation and should be in terms of research. He explained, “Universities should aspire to have at least 25% of their academic staff members rated by the NRF to be regarded as a research-intensive university and CPUT needs to work even harder in order to achieve this.” His office is currently putting strategies and operational plans in place to ensure that this happens.“We are encouraging young academics to be more involved in research and to pursue their PhD. There is sufficient support in our Research Office for people to continue with their research work.”Prof Christopher Vaughn from the Medical Research Council and University of Cape Town was a guest speaker and delivered a presentation on “How to get to an A-Rating and sustain it”.Among other tips given during Vaughn’s presentation, he encouraged researchers to never settle for local journals if there is a chance of making the pages of international publications. “Present your research at international conferences and ensure that your presentation is really great and that it will be remembered. It is vitally important to be visible in the scientific community,” he added.By:  Andiswa Dantile

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

CPUT researchers are making the institution proud.

From clinching millions in research funding to inventing new products, the efforts of our researchers has secured CPUT’s place as one of the leading South African institution’s for cutting-edge research and innovation.

This year, researchers’ efforts were acknowledged and celebrated at Research Day, held on the Cape Town Campus.

Speaking at the event, guest speaker Dr Andrew Kaniki, says it is important to celebrate excellence at a higher education institution.

ACHIEVER: Prof Charles Allen-Ile from the Faculty of Business received the Gold Award for postgraduate supervision

“This recognition of achievement is a clear indication that researchers are committed to the intellectual project,” says Kaniki, who is the Director of Knowledge Fields and Development at the National Research Foundation.

Kaniki also encouraged researchers to work towards becoming rated or improving their current rating.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnership, Dr Chris Nhlapo, says this year researchers have produced quality research results.

Over the past several years research output at CPUT has more than tripled, says Nhlapo. The university has also registered a large number of patents and registered a company.

SUPPORT: Members of the Research Department who are responsible for organising the annual Research Day, with Director Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi (left)

Nhlapo says with the roll-out of the Research and Innovation blueprint activities with these themes will continue to improve.

Director of Research, Dr Tembeka Mpako-Ntusi, also applauded CPUT researchers.

“Our researchers continue to make us proud by their efforts, breaking through frontiers to new heights of knowledge,” she says.

Written by Candes Keating
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Provides coverage for the Engineering and Applied Sciences Faculties; the Bellville and Wellington Campuses, and research and innovation news.