UKZN Researcher Wins Titans – Building Nations Award

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Postdoctoral researcher in UKZN’s School of Chemistry and Physics Dr Abdul Mirza was announced as a regional winner in the 2014 Titans – Building Nations Awards prize-giving ceremony at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Mirza, who won both the Country and SADC Regional awards in the Academic Education and Training sector, completed his PhD in Quantum Physics at UKZN in 2012. He is also the CEO of QZN Technology, a spin-off UKZN company, specialising in data encryption.

The annual Titans-Building Nations Awards competition, initiated by CEO Communications, pays tribute to the men who play pivotal roles in the development and growth of their country, the African continent and the people who inhabit it.

Awards are presented to leading men in Johannesburg, Mauritius, Kenya, Ghana and Zambia at ceremonies which take place during July, August, September and October.

CEO Communications is also known for its recognition of women through its Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government programme, which has run for the past few years.

The Titans - Building Nations programme runs for 12 months, providing award winners with a platform to celebrate their accomplishments with other winners across the continent and form lasting connections with other leaders who are committed to the progress of their respective regions, nations and the continent as a whole.

Mirza’s award recognises his commitment to furthering education and training in quantum technology.

‘I’ve have always had a keen eye for not only how things do what they do, but moreover why they do it,’ said Mirza of his passion for the field. ‘This was my motivation to study as an undergraduate in Applied Maths and Physics. Quantum physics was a career choice I made during my postgraduate days. I saw this as an opportunity to get involved in futuristic technology that, in the medium term, will be quantifiably useful in industry.’

Mirza said he was pleasantly surprised when told about his nomination and subsequent shortlisting for the award, which is finalised through a rigorous, credible judging process conducted by independent business leaders.

‘I had not expected to be ranked within the listing,’ said Mirza. ‘This recognition is a milestone for me. Being shortlisted among African leaders implies that my work is recognised as an asset to South Africa and the region in general. People appreciate the work that I do, and that means the world to me.’

Mirza, who attended the awards ceremony, described it as a great opportunity to network with other leaders in various industries. He also spoke of what the recognition would mean for his career in the future.

‘This has been a gratifying process allowing me to appreciate the work in various sectors that is collectively propelling South Africa forward,’ said Mirza. ‘I would like to use this recognition to influence strategic decisions within Science and Technology that will promote the interaction between academia and industry by catalysing the creation of technology-based Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).’

Christine Cuénod