The National Research Foundation (NRF) has recently established a committee that has been tasked to review the system used for the assessment of grant applications.

Dr Chris Nhlapo, Deputy-Vice Chancellor of Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships at CPUT, together with academics from several other higher education institutions, was selected to serve on this committee.

The committee was created by the NRF in order to establish whether there are shortcomings in the peer review system used for the assessment of grant applications.

The awarding of grants for research activities at higher education institutions is one of the key functions of the NRF.

Currently, the peer review system used by the NRF for the purpose of awarding grants consists of several processes.

Each of these processes will be reviewed by the committee, said Dr Nhlapo.

This includes the process used to select peer reviewers, preparation of the peers, documentation sent to peers, panel reviews and panel meetings.

The committee will also review the outcomes of peer reviews and other management processes related to grants.

Dr Nhlapo said they will also consider international standards during the review process.

“We are going to compare the NRF systems with other international funding systems,” he said.

Dr Chris Nhlapo said a report will be compiled by 31 October 2009.

Meanwhile, Dr Nhlapo will also be using his expertise to co-chair the Coordinating Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer Committee of the South African Technology Network (SATN).

This committee is tasked with creating capacity in various research areas at University of Technologies (UoTs).

Dr Nhlapo said UoTs are conducting research in similar areas.

“If we look at water research, then you will see that it is taking place at several UoTs,” he said.

Dr Nhlapo said the committee would like to create opportunities for collaboration. He said Uots can build research capacity by collaborating on projects, sharing expertise and equipment.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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CPUT is set to host leading researcher and award winning author, Dr Angel Kwolek-Folland later this month.

Kwolek-Folland is an Associate Provost at the University of Florida and is one of the speakers at the upcoming South African Technology Network (SATN) Conference, which takes place at the Vaal University of Technology from 19-21 October 2015.

Her week-long visit to CPUT follows Dr Prins Nevhutalu’s recent visit to the University of Florida, where discussions on various collaborations between the two institutions took place.

During her visit to CPUT, Kwolek-Folland will meet with CPUT management as well as visit the six faculties and research centers.

“I am very excited with the possibility of learning more about CPUT and how we might best pursue academic exchanges. We have some relationships already established, but it will be good to explore others,” she says.

“The visit will give us a chance to work efficiently toward a better understanding.”

Kwolek-Folland’s research focuses on American women’s history, women’s business history, gender studies and material culture studies.

Her first book, Engendering Business: Men and Women in the Corporate Office, 1870-1930, won the Sierra Prize for best historical monograph from the Western Association of Women Historians.

She is also the author of Incorporating Women: A History of Women and Business in the United States.

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

The South African Technology Network (SATN) is proud to announce it has changed its name to the Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA) as of 1 January 2021.

THENSA CEO, Dr Anshu Padayachee, pronounced that the name change comes after the decision by the SATN Board to reposition and rebrand the SATN as THENSA.  “This was a result of the collective commitment of our member institutions to address the challenges and opportunities that the sector has to respond to,” said Padayachee in a statement.

“Having reviewed our vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives, we believe that we are on course to deliver on the goals we have set out for ourselves over the next five years. At the heart of our model are the values of quality and sustainability in everything that we do. We aspire to be recognised for our technological focus and our capacity for teamwork to ensure that we constantly aim to respond to our local and global challenges.”

SATN was established in 2006 by five South African Universities of Technology (UoTs), namely, CPUT, Durban University of Technology, Central University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology and the Vaal University of Technology, which resulted in the registration of the SATN Trust in August 2008. The SATN became the collective voice of UoTs to provide a common platform for discussion on matters pertaining to higher education, and to share leverage existing competencies of the member intuitions.

THENSA’s mission is to enable its partner institutions to respond to the challenges and targets set in the National Development Plan, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the Africa 2063 Agenda, through Technological Education, Research and Innovation.

THENSA’s guiding principles include connecting minds, establishing networks for collaboration between smart institutions focussed on Technology Research and Innovation with its key focus being the promotion and advancement of Science, Engineering, Arts and Technology Programmes for the world of work. THENSA is the catalyst that capitalises on the collective voice, strengths and opportunities of its members for the benefit of its students, staff, researchers, innovators and its business and industry partners.

Padayachee added: “Our collaboration with business and industry has also added to our strength and credentials. We believe that this change in name is just a formal introduction to the advancements we have made over the years.”

She also stated that their service and excellence shall not change with the name but that the only change that “We endeavour to make shall be towards improvement and development. Making a positive contribution to community wellbeing, education, and the employability of at-risk groups, remain at the top of our priorities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues, the vice-chancellors of the member institutions, our associate members, international partners, and strategic partners for their contributions towards the development and repositioning of the organisation to meet the challenges of the new decade.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo is humbled and excited at the same time but ready for the challenge ahead after he was appointed as Deputy Chairperson of Technological Higher Education Network South Africa (THENSA), a non-profit company, at the THENSA Board meeting held recently.

THENSA, formerly South African Technology Network (SATN) was established in 2006 by five South African Universities of Technology (UoTs), namely, CPUT, Durban University of Technology, Central University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology and the Vaal University of Technology, and resulted in the registration of the SATN trust in August 2008. The SATN became the collective voice of UoTs to provide a common platform for discussion on matters pertaining to higher education and to share leverage existing competencies of the member institutions. The change of name in 2019 to THENSA) was an outcome of the change in its membership to include all technology focussed institutions, the teaching, learning, research, and innovation agendas that it set itself. 

Following the resignation with immediate effect of former THENSA’s Deputy Chair, Prof Henk de Jager, a vacancy arose at the THENSA. At the  Board meeting it was agreed that the voting for Deputy Chairperson of THENSA will ensue, Nhlapo was nominated and he accepted the nomination as one of  three nominees and he was fittingly appointed as the Deputy Chairperson of THENSA from January 2022.

Reflecting on his appointment, Nhlapo said: “I am sure the confidence and trust that my fellow Vice-Chancellors have in me and the contribution made having been part of formerly SATN and now THENSA did not go unnoticed. This vote of confidence is not taken for granted as it is a major responsibility and an enormous task to champion the cause of UoT in South Africa and the globe.” He said his appointment gives him a platform to reposition and make a strong value proposition for Universities of Technology in the South African National System of Innovation (SANSI). “It gives one a platform to reignite the debate about the role and place of Universities of Technology in the context of the South African higher education landscape,” Nhlapo continued.

“It also gives us, as a collective, an opportunity to reflect deeply about our unique strength in Applied space especially within Fourth Industrial Revolution, Society 5.0 and WIL that really speaks to our DNA as a sector. As CPUT, we believe in the UoTs and our DNA is very clear - hence One Smart CPUT or the dream of being MIT of Africa.”

Nhlapo added: “THENSA is new but I think driving strong collaboration and not unnecessary competition amongst UoTs will take us somewhere. We just need to identify joint projects, joint supervision, joint moderation, and the sky will be the limit. Some of these activities are already happening. Lastly, supporting and learning from the chair and current fellow vice-chancellors.”

He attributed his success to “hard work, respecting one's career and constantly learning from”. “Never stop learning because life never stop teaching.”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
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