14 February 2025
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Virtual Parents’ Day welcomes students and guardians to UKZN.

UKZN’s Virtual Parents’ Day Welcomes New Students and their Guardians

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) hosted more than 2 500 new students and their families at its annual Virtual Parents’ Day, a key event designed to welcome first-year students and provide their parents and guardians with essential information as they embark on this academic journey.

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Commemorating World Cancer Day: My Journey as a Survivor

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On 04 February, the world observed World Cancer Day. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about cancer, promoting prevention, and mobilising action to address the global cancer epidemic.

Professor Bongani Nkambule.

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Hematological Pathologist

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UKZN’s Academic Leader for Research in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences (SLMMS), Professor Bongani Nkambule, is one of only two UKZN academics to receive the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Research Award!

From left: Mr Khulekani Pacificus Dlamini, Mr Siphamandla Nyawose, Dr Mdu Rhini, Dr Takshita Sookan-Kassie, Professor Jeanne Grace, Ms Nokuthula Mtshali, and Mr Jed Davidson.

Retired Professors’ Programme a Catalyst for Success in BELS Discipline at UKZN

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The Retired Professors’ Programme (RPP) has proven to be an incredible success yielding significant benefits for mentees over the past two years, says Biokinetics, Exercise, and Leisure Sciences’ (BELS) academic leader Professor Rowena Naidoo.

Professor Bonga Chiliza.

UKZN Professor Elected President of African College of Neuropharmacology

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UKZN’s Chief Specialist and Head of the Department of Psychiatry, Associate Professor Bonga Chiliza, began his term as President of the African College of Neuropharmacology (AfCNP) at its recent meeting in Cape Town.

Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze is congratulated by the Dean and Head of the School of Clinical Medicine, Professor Leonard Marais (left).

Mental Health Doctor Receives UKZN’s Best Registrar Awards for 2024

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One of UKZN’s inaugural Top 40 Most Inspiring Students in 2014, Dr Bonginkosi Mafuze, has received - a decade later - the University’s Best Registrar Award and Best Registrar Leader Award for 2024 at a prestigious event held at the Investec headquarters in Umhlanga.

Delegates at the workshop.

HIV Cure Research Workshop

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Cultivating the next generation of scientists to accelerate beyond milestones already attained globally in developing an HIV cure vaccine was top of mind at a UKZN workshop.

Professor Refiloe Masekela.

Paediatric Pulmonologist Honoured with ATS World Lung Health Award

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Renowned paediatric pulmonologist, UKZN’s Head of Paediatric and Child Health Professor Refiloe Masekela (@Bronchigirl), has been awarded the prestigious American Thoracic Society’s (ATS) World Lung Health Award.

From left: Professor Thea van der Westhuizen (CLMS); Professor Vincent Nyamori (CAES); Professor Matthew Davies (Swansea University); and from CAES Ms Dipika Gobind; Ms Shruti Saroj and Professor Bice Martincigh.

UKZN Scientists Involved in Funded Research into Solar Manufacturing Opportunities in Africa

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Funding of close to R70 million has been awarded to a group of established scientists, including several from UKZN, to investigate potential manufacturing opportunities for perovskite solar modules in South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria.

Dr Ashlin Rampul.

Health Care Mentor of the Year Award for Devoted Chemical Pathologist

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UKZN Medical School alumnus Dr Ashlin Rampul says he was humbled to be named the Africa Health Excellence Awards Society’s Health Care Mentor of the Year in recognition of his commitment to mentoring young specialists and scientists in Africa.

Optical Dispenser Ms Ziyanda Gali and Optometry student Mr Akieel Devraj gain hands-on experience with donated eye care equipment.

UKZN Optometry Expands Community Reach through International Partnership

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UKZN’s Discipline of Optometry’s Clinic has received a generous donation of optical equipment and resources from the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation which will allow the clinic to deliver affordable, high-quality eye care to underserved communities and enhance the practical training of students.

Professor Andile Khathi (left) and Dr Nontobeko Mvubu.

Two UKZN Medical Scientists join DHET Future Professors Programme

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Human Physiology Associate Professor, Andile Khathi, and Dr Nontobeko Mvubu, a Medical Microbiology senior lecturer and researcher, are UKZN’s chosen two of 34 academics from South Africa’s 26 universities to be shortlisted from a pool of 103 applicants to join the Department of Higher Education and Training’s (DHET) esteemed Future Professors Programme (FFP): Phase 2 Cohort 3.

Highlights from the Young Scientists Forum.

UKZN Staffer Presents at BRICS Young Scientists Forum

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UKZN postdoctoral researcher Dr Sebastian Sanjigadu was one of 12 participants selected by the Academy of Science of South Africa in collaboration with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to present at the BRICS Young Scientists’ Forum.

African Journal of Governance and Development.

UKZN’s African Journal of Governance and Development Gets DOAJ Accreditation

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The African Journal of Governance and Development (AJGD) published by UKZN has been accredited by the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme Class of 2024.

Financial Aid Helps UKZN Students Realise their Full Potential

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The partnership forged between the College of Health Sciences (CHS) and the Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) in 2017 has assisted more than 200 UKZN students realise their academic dreams.

Professor Rubeshan Perumal with Professor Busisiwe Ncama at the research awards dinner.

Academic Scoops Prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Research Award

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Distinguished pulmonologist and academic Professor Rubeshan Perumal has been honoured with the 2024 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence at UKZN.

UKZN Law students servicing the community at the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban.

Community Outreach Initiative Promotes Social Justice for Vulnerable Communities

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UKZN’s Street Law module yielding positive results for vulnerable KwaZulu-Natal communities.

Professor Rajendra Bhimma.

Distinguished International Award for UKZN Paediatrics Professor

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Professor Rajendra Bhimma, a University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) esteemed professor of paediatrics and Head of the Paediatric Kidney Clinical Unit at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), which is affiliated with the University, has been awarded the International Society of Nephrology’s (ISN) Fellowship designation in recognition of his distinguished professional career and contributions to the field.

Family and colleagues of Dr Kumeren Govender celebrating his achievement.

UKZN Guest Lecture by Durban-Born Oxford University Clinical Medicine DPhil Graduate

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UKZN’s College of Health Sciences (CHS) hosted a special Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s (DVC) guest lecture by one of its Medical alumni, Dr Kumeren Govender, who recently obtained his DPhil (PhD equivalent) in Clinical Medicine from the University of Oxford in England.

Mr Thabiso Zondi.

Bongani Mayosi Accolade for Outstanding Medical Student

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UKZN final-year Medical student Mr Thabiso Zondi, said it was ‘an incredible honour and a deeply humbling experience’ when the Bongani Mayosi Foundation awarded him the National Student Academic Prize for 2024 for following in the footsteps of the late medical icon Mayosi in the areas of academic brilliance, emotional intelligence and social responsiveness.

Commemorating World AIDS Day at UKZN.

Equal Rights, Equal Care!

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World AIDS Day at UKZN brought together leading experts in the HIV field to address critical issues surrounding prevention, treatment, and societal challenges.

DVC and Head of College of Health Sciences, Professor Busisiwe Ncama welcoming delegates to the EUP Conference.

UKZN Co-Hosts Conference on Early and Unintended Pregnancies in Eastern and Southern Africa

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UKZN in partnership with various stakeholders hosted the Early and Unintended Pregnancies (EUP) in Eastern and Southern Africa Conference at the UNITE building on the Howard College campus.

A joyful Ms Rakheeba Bux showing off her prize.

UKZN Staffer Among Top 100 GradStar Graduates

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PhD candidate and UKZN’s First-Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator Ms Rakheeba Bux, has been selected as one of the Top 100 most employable graduates in the country at the DHL GradStar Awards ceremony.

Highlights of the three-day DECART project workshop hosted by UKZN.

UKZN Hosts International Visitors for Higher Education DECART Project Meeting

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Curriculum transformation and resilience were the focus of discussion at a three-day DECART - Designing Higher Education Curricula for Agility, Resilience and Transformation - project meeting hosted by UKZN.

From left: Dr Lawrence Ogunsanya (UKZN), Mr Shahil Singh (winner of the Corobrik Award 2024), and Mr Christopher du Trevou (Corobrik).

Top Students Recognised at Corobrik Awards Event

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The extraordinary skill, commitment and inventiveness of students in the Discipline of Architecture within UKZN’s School of Built Environment and Development Studies were celebrated during Corobrik’s annual award ceremony.

Ms Phakamile Mazibuko.

UKZN Student Benefits from Erasmus + Mobility Scholarship

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PhD in Education candidate Ms Phakamile Mazibuko spent two months at Liepaja University in Latvia on an Erasmus + Mobility Scholarship.