These awards aim to foster research potential, support emerging researchers, and encourage postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows to actively engage in research.
In his opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Internationalisation, Professor Aldo Stroebel, emphasised the value of collaboration.
“Our academic project is strong. We are resolute in partnering with external stakeholders to strengthen and advance it further,” he stated highlighting that the event seeks to embed a research culture within the University and position UMP as a premier research partner.
UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, underscored the importance of recognising excellence.
“Research, teaching, and engagement are the pillars of our university. Pursuing excellence across these areas allows us to create an impact locally, nationally, and internationally.
The road to excellence is always under construction. It demands persistence, refined skills, deep knowledge, and a commitment to lifelong learning. As we celebrate these accomplishments, we are reminded that while weeds grow unaided, flowers require cultivation," she said.
Honours and Awards
The following academics and teams were recognised for their exceptional contributions:
Faculty Emerging Researcher of the Year Award: Dr Tshepiso Ndhlovu, Lecturer and Indigenous Knowledge Systems Researcher (Plant Medicinal Compounds), School of Biology and Environmental Sciences. This award celebrates a young researcher, up to Senior Lecturer level, who has made the most significant research advancements during the reporting year.
NRF-rated Researcher Award: Dr Tim Forssman, Senior Lecturer in Cultural and Heritage Studies, School of Social Sciences. This award is given to researchers who during the reporting year receive an NRF rating for the first time, retain their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF, and improve their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF.
Engagement Excellence Team Award: UMP Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (CFERI) Team. This award honours a group or individual who has made an exceptional contribution to advancing engagement as a core university function.
Faculty Research Excellence Award: Professor Kanayo Ogujiuba, Associate Professor in the Faculty of Economics, Development and Business Studies, and Manager of the UMP CFERI Centre. This award recognises an individual who made the most significant research contribution within their faculty during the reporting year.

NRF-rated Researcher Award: Dr Mazanai Musara, Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Business Management. This award is given to researchers who during the reporting year receive an NRF rating for the first time, retain their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF, and improve their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF.

NRF-rated Researcher Award: Professor Daniel Parker, Professor in the School of Biology and Environmental Sciences. This award is given to researchers who during the reporting year receive an NRF rating for the first time, retain their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF, and improve their NRF rating through a re-evaluation by the NRF.
Faculty Teacher of the Year Award: Dr Ayanda Shabalala, Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for Bachelor of Science, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences. This award acknowledges an individual who made the most significant contribution to teaching and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) in the faculty.
Keynote Address
Professor Teboho Moja, Professor of Higher Education at New York University, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on the transformative power of research and innovation in creating a sustainable future.
Applauding UMP’s research achievements, she called for projects prioritising societal impact, emphasising that impactful research is not solely about publications or citations but also its measurable outcomes.
“The true value of research lies in its ability to transform lives and create lasting, meaningful change,” observed Professor Moja, and stressed the need for a reciprocal exchange of knowledge with local communities to ensure solutions are both practical and culturally relevant.
“Universities thrive when they engage with the communities they serve, co-designing sustainable solutions to shared challenges,” she concluded.
Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures by ChrisplPhoto.