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Newsletter
18 December 2020

UMP HONOURS RESEARCH AND ENGAGEMENT EXCELLENCE

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso said it was an honour for her to welcome all to the event and to be able to recognise everyone for their efforts. “As a community, we commit ourselves to uphold the highest standards of excellence in all our actions, functions and services. Everyone here is the embodiment of these values.”

“When we look at the year 2019, which is the year under review, and juxtapose it with 2020, you realise how we cannever, and shouldnever take anything for granted. Circumstances can change dramatically, and life’s curveballs can be thrown at us from nowhere. This gives us all the more reason to celebrate these achievements with a deep sense of appreciation and thankfulness,” she said.

Professor Mayekiso noted that achievements of this nature say a lot about human determinations and resilience, that great things happen for those who are committed to putting in the work and the hours necessary to achieve their goals. . 

“It is with a sense of hope and pride that we celebrate those among us who have excelled. It could not have been easy, and the temptation to give up might have been strong, but your persistence has paid off.”

Congratulating the winners on their achievements, Professor Mayekiso encouraged all to remain committed in making excellence a habit.

The Recipients of the Excellence Awards

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2020 Engagement Award
Programme leader of Sociology and the Chairperson of the UMP Gender Forum, Dr Nozwakazi Maqubela, received the 2020 Engagement award for leading Gender-based activities at the university.
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2020 Research Interest Award
Senior lecturer at the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Dr Mduduzi Ndlovu, is a C2 rated researcher who was awarded the Research Excellence award for his research, which aims to understand the levels of adaptability in Afrotropical animals. 
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The Faculty Researcher of the year
Professor in Botany, Prof Wilfred Ofang Mbeng, received an award for his research in Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Medicinal Plants and Cosmeceutical Research. 
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Emerging Engagement Award

Students Housing: Admin Assistant, Manelisi Kilani,received the Emerging Engagement Award for the projects which he assisted on. Some of these are: Mandela Day, Africa Day. He was also recognised for the Barefoot Day Project, which received 48 pairs of school shoes that were donated to SOS Children’s Home.

The awards were presented by Director of Research Management: Professor Phindile Lukhele-Olorunji and Prof Ric Bernard. 

Congratulations to all the winners! 

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrisplPhoto.