24 July 2026
Volume: 14
Issue: 24
The UKZN BELS team (from left): Ms Bongiwe Gumede, Ms Zamile Nduli and Dr Siphamandla Nyawose.

BELS Discipline Empowers Women in Sport through Community Partnership

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Recognising the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) expertise in athlete health, performance and community engagement, the Durban Africa Sports Club (DASC) invited UKZN’s Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) to contribute to its Life Skills Programme: Empowering Women in Sport.

Professor Vanessa Moodley.

UKZN Professor to Lead World Council for Optometry Committee

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University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Associate Professor of Optometry, Vanessa Moodley, is the new Education Committee Chairperson for the World Council for Optometry (WCO). Moodley will serve a two-year tenure.

Professor Kimesh Naidoo.

Paediatrics Professor Appointed Deputy Dean of Clinical Medicine Division

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University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Medical School alumnus Professor Kimesh Naidoo has been appointed Deputy Dean of the School of Medicine’s (SOM) Division of Clinical Medicine in the College of Health Sciences (CHS).

Grade 12 learners hard at work preparing for their matric exams with assistance from UKZN’s Matric Helpline programme.

UKZN Matric Helpline Delivers STEM Exam Prep to Hundreds of Grade 12s

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Matric Helpline Programme recently hosted mathematics and physical sciences examination preparation workshops for Grade 12 learners from schools across the uMshwathi Municipality, providing targeted academic support ahead of mid-year examinations.

Professor Andile Khathi.

UKZN Distinguished Teacher Appointed Deputy Dean for Medical Sciences

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The appointment of Distinguished Teacher Award Recipient Professor Andile Khathi as Deputy Dean for the Division of Medical Sciences in the College of Health Sciences (CHS), drew widespread applause and support, including from the Dean and Head of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) School of Medicine, Professor Refiloe Masekela.

Delegates at the workshop.

Early-Career Researchers Benefit from Health Sciences’ Grants Writing Workshop

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dean of Research, Professor Bongani Nkambule, collaborated with the University’s Central Research Office to deliver a bespoke Grant Writing Workshop, strategically designed to strengthen the College’s research capacity and advance the University’s world-class research agenda.

Mr Gan Moodley (left), with his postgraduate students at the Welcoming the Whales festival on Anstey’s Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

UKZN Marine Biologists Welcome Whales to KZN

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Marine Biodiversity, Aquaculture, Conservation Education and Ecophysiology (MACE) Lab was invited to participate in the Welcoming the Whales Festival along Foreshore Drive between Anstey’s Beach and Brighton Beach, Bluff, Durban.

Dr Sheetal Soni.

Law Academic Receives International Bioethics Award at World Congress

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Dr Sheetal Soni, senior lecturer and Head of Research and Higher Degrees in UKZN’s School of Law, is the 2026 recipient of the International Association of Bioethics Award for Bioethics Service in the Face of Challenges.

Participants at the Siyaphumelela Conference.

UKZN Showcases Student Success Initiatives at Siyaphumelela Conference

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) made a significant contribution at the Siyaphumelela Conference 2026, held at the Birchwood Hotel in Johannesburg recently, with academic staff, professional support colleagues and students sharing innovative practices aimed at improving student success across the Higher Education sector.

From left: Professor Verusia Chetty (UKZN), Ms Joy Msomi (UKZN), Ms Zonke Mncwabe (KZN-DOH), Dr Ntsikelelo Pefile (UKZN), Dr Nomzamo Chemane (UKZN) and Professor Nombeko Mshunqane (UKZN).

UKZN-DOH Physiotherapy Workshops Upskill Local and Decentralised Healthcare Providers

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Discipline of Physiotherapy recently hosted a comprehensive two-day Neurological Rehabilitation Workshop aimed at strengthening the knowledge and clinical competencies of healthcare professionals involved in the management of paediatric and adult neurological conditions.

From left: Dr Lindani Nxumalo; Professor Willene Holness; Mr Thonoko Modise; and South African Human Rights Commission Commissioner, Ms Nomahlubi Khwinana during the conference.

School of Law Showcases Disability Rights Research at International Conference

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) School of Law was strongly represented at the third International Conference on Disability Rights hosted by the University of the Free State recently.

Participants at the 18th Workshop and Conference on Computational Mathematics and Modelling on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus.

Computational Mathematics Workshop Draws Record Numbers

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The Discipline of Mathematics in the School of Agriculture and Science hosted a week-long Workshop and Conference on Computational Mathematics and Modelling (WOCCCOM) on the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Pietermaritzburg campus.

Delegates at the 2026 Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB).

UKZN Academics Celebrate Decade of African Biostatistics Collaboration at SSACAB

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was well represented at the 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sub-Saharan Africa Consortium for Advanced Biostatistics (SSACAB), held in Nairobi, Kenya, where leading researchers and emerging scientists from across the continent gathered to celebrate a decade of advancing biostatistics and data science in Africa.
Dr Basil Enicker, Head of Neurosurgery at UKZN.

UKZN Neurosurgery HOD Takes the Helm at College of Neurosurgeons

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The Head of Discipline of Neurosurgery at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) School of Medicine and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH) and Scientific Chair of the Society of Neurosurgeons of South Africa, Dr Basil Enicker, has been elected as the President of the College of Neurosurgeons for the 2026 - 2029 triennium.

Professor Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu.

Shaping the Future of Cities: UKZN Scholar Takes Global Role at ISOCARP

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UKZN is celebrating a landmark achievement following the appointment of Professor Hope Magidimisha-Chipungu to the Board of the International Society of City and Regional Planners (ISOCARP), one of the world’s oldest and most respected professional planning organisations.

Professor Bonga Chiliza and Dr Zama Msibi.

UKZN Neuroscientists Named to IBRO 2027 Host Committee

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The 12th International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) World Congress will be held in South Africa from 13 to 16 September 2027 for the first time more than six decades after the organisation was established and will feature UKZN academics.

Highlights from UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies Postgraduate Open Days.

Postgraduate Open Days Inspire Future Researchers and Leaders

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Prospective students, alumni and professionals gathered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS) Postgraduate Open Days, held recently in Pietermaritzburg and Durban, to explore opportunities for advanced study and discover how postgraduate education can shape careers, drive innovation and contribute to societal development.

UKZN alumnus, specialist anaesthesiologist and long-distance runner, Dr Sizwe Zungu.

UKZN Medical Alumnus Runs 161 km Ultra-Marathon to Support Future Doctors

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As the MBChB Class of 2006 marks 20 years since graduating from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), an alumnus is going extra miles to make a meaningful difference in the lives of future doctors.

Highlights from the inaugural Spark KZN conference.

Bridging Research, Industry, and Government to Fuel Innovation

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Foundation recently partnered with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) to host Spark KZN, a conference designed to strengthen collaboration between academia, industry and government.

From left: Speakers and organisers of the Symposium: Mr Sduduzo Mncwabe, Mrs Varsha Pillay, Mrs Rose Toyer, Mr Pierre Brouard, Mr Suntosh Pillay, Professor Suvira Ramlall, Ms Lynne Richards and Ms Rivendri Govender.

KZN Symposium Calls for Heart-Centred Approach to Neurodiversity

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The theme for the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Mental Health Advocacy Group’s 11th annual Durban Mental Health Symposium, which was successfully held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) UNITE Building, was ‘Neurodiversity and neuroplasticity: Implications for psychosocial practice’.

Highlights from the conference.

Pioneering Public Health: Tracking Antibiotic Resistance in Wastewater

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), successfully co-hosted the International Conference on Sewage Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance in Sub-Saharan Africa with the University of Gothenburg and the Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Research (CARe) in Sweden, the Technical University of Kenya, and the Manhiça Health Research Centre in Mozambique.

UKZN postgraduate Philosophy students represented the University at the fourth South African Postgraduate Philosophy Society Symposium.

UKZN Philosophy Postgraduates Shine at National Symposium

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) reaffirmed its commitment to postgraduate excellence through its participation in the fourth South African Postgraduate Philosophy Society Symposium, hosted by the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

Recipient of the South African Journal on Human Rights Top-Up Bursary, Ms Yizozodwa Dlamini.

UKZN Law Student Awarded Prestigious SAJHR Top-Up Bursary

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University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) School of Law Master’s student Ms Yizozodwa Dlamini has been awarded a prestigious R30 000 South African Journal on Human Rights (SAJHR) Top-Up Bursary, recognising her academic excellence and the quality of her research in Constitutional Law.

Highlights from the Medical School campus tour.

UKZN Medical School Hosts SAMRC ‘Gen S’ Job Shadow Programme for Top Learners

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This is the fifth consecutive year of the South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Generation Science (Gen S) Job Shadow Programme, the Durban edition of which featured 25 Grade 11 learners, primarily from Durban Girls’ High, Chesterville Secondary, Hunt Road Secondary and Ndukwenhle High School.

The team representing UKZN CAES with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the uMngeni Municipality at the World Environment Day commemoration at Howick Falls.

Celebrating World Environment Day: UKZN Inspires Environmental Awareness Through STEM

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Against the backdrop of the iconic Howick Falls in KwaZulu-Natal and a crisp winter morning, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) joined the uMngeni Local Municipality in celebrating World Environment Day under the theme, ‘Our Planet, Our Responsibility’.