The University of Venda (UNIVEN) has earned a major milestone in research excellence with the successful establishment of the DSTI/NRF-UUW-UNIVEN Research Chair in Water and the Environment, co-funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and Umngeni-Uthukela Water (UUW).
Led by Professor Rachel Makungo, the Chair will focus on advancing knowledge and solutions “Towards addressing water challenges in the water sector under changing climatic and environmental conditions.” This Tier 2 Chair will run for an initial five-year period and is set to play a critical role in building research capacity. Over this period, it aims to support the development of at least eight Master’s students, six PhDs, two postdoctoral fellows, and five emerging researchers.
The application underwent a rigorous peer-review process by an Independent Review Panel comprising experts across multiple disciplines. Following conditional approval and successful revisions by Prof Makungo and UNIVEN, the Chair was officially recommended for funding, signalling confidence in the institution’s ability to deliver impactful, sustainable research.
The NRF commended UNIVEN for securing this highly competitive Research Chair and emphasised the importance of institutional support in ensuring long-term success. This achievement reinforces UNIVEN’s commitment to research that responds to national and global challenges, particularly in water security, climate resilience, and sustainable environmental management.
Responding to this achievement, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Prof Natasha Potgieter, said, “Securing the SARChI Research Chair in Water and the Environment is a proud moment for our faculty and the entire University of Venda. It reflects the dedication and excellence of our researchers, led by Professor Rachel Makungo, in addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time, water security under changing climatic conditions. This Chair not only strengthens our research capacity but also positions UNIVEN as a key contributor to national and global efforts in sustainable water and environmental management. We are confident that the knowledge and expertise developed through this initiative will have a lasting impact on our communities, the country, and the African continent.”
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