News

The 5th Gauteng Nanosciences’ Young Researchers Symposium (NYRS) was hosted by the Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (NanoWS) Research Unit, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa (UNISA) on 9 October 2015. The symposium was held at the Science Campus in Thamsanqa Kambule Auditorium and attracted about 100 academics and students from Wits University, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, Vaal University of Technology and University of South Africa.

A total of 23 students presented their work under two main categories (Oral and Pitch). The event was sponsored by a DST/NRF Nanotechnology Flagship Project and the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi).

The Gauteng NYRS is an annual event organized by the host institution and the SANi Student Chapter. This year marked the 5th year of this event. The event sees top MSc and PhD students engaged in nanoscience and nanotechnology research in Gauteng and surrounding provinces (North West and Limpopo) Higher Education Institutions and Research Councils present their cutting-edge research. The event enjoys support and endorsement from the SANi, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement and the Department of Science and Technology.

The organising team from NanoWS Research Unit is proud to have hosted the event and would like to congratulate all the winners of oral presentations. The team is also thankful to all those who participated and attended. Special mention goes to Prof G Moche: Executive Dean of CSET, who gave the opening address, Prof BB Mamba: Director of NanoWS for the welcoming guests and chairing the first session, Mr Joseph Molapisi: Director of Emerging Research Areas at the DST, Prof Martin Ntwaeaborwa: SANi President, and Mr Mthuthuzeli Zamxaka: Project Co-ordinator of the Nanotechnology Public Engagement Programme at SAASTA for their stimulating and informative addresses. The work done by the session chairs (Prof Bhekie Mamba, Prof Simon Dhlamini, Prof Alex Kuvarega, Prof Ajay Mishra and Prof Sabelo Mhlanga) and judges (Prof Lucky Sikhwivhilu, Prof Maurice Onyango and Mr Joseph Mofokeng) is greatly appreciated.

Top presenters were awarded monetary prizes as follows:

Oral presentation PhD (1st prize) – Mahalieo Kao (WITS) – R1500

Oral presentation PhD (2nd prize) – Mbongiseni W. Dlamini (WITS) – R1000

Oral presentation PhD (3rd prize) – Jianli Chang (UNISA) – R500

Oral presentation MSc (1st prize) – Lerato Baloyi (TUT) – R1500

Oral presentation MSc (2nd prize) – T.N.Y. Khawula (WITS) – R1000

Oral presentation MSc (3rd Prize) – Monaheng Masheane (UJ) – R500

Pitch presentation (1st prize) – Langutani E. Mathevula (UNISA) – R1500

Pitch presentation (2nd prize) – Lerato Machogo (WITS) – R1000

Pitch presentation (3rd prize) – Nontsikelelo Radebe (TUT) – R500

The Local Organizing Committee of the NYRS 2015:

Prof Sabelo Mhlanga (Chair)

Prof Edward Nxumalo (SANi rep)

Ms Kamogelo Musi (Secretariat/logistics)

Prof Ajay Mishra (Abstracts)

Dr Alex Kuvarega (Abstracts)

Mr Stefan Govindraju (SANi student chapter rep)