University of Pretoria Researchers Recognised Among South Africa’s Top Science Talent

The University of Pretoria (UP) continues to demonstrate its leadership in research and innovation with nine staff members and departments named as finalists in the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards. These prestigious honours, often called South Africa’s “Science Oscars,” celebrate excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation across the country.

Announced in recent weeks, the nominations highlight UP’s broad contributions spanning fungal genomics, multilingual artificial intelligence, environmental chemistry, neurosurgery, science communication and engineering. The awards, organised by the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) in partnership with South32, recognise individuals, teams, partnerships and organisations that advance knowledge and practical solutions for national development.

Understanding the NSTF-South32 Awards and Their Role in South African Higher Education

The NSTF-South32 Awards were established in 1998 to honour outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation. The forum itself brings together more than 150 organisations from academia, industry, government and civil society. Each year the awards span up to 20 categories under 16 headings, including lifetime achievement, emerging researcher awards, innovation in specific sectors, communication, data for research and special annual themes.

Finalists are selected through a rigorous process involving member nominations and adjudication by independent expert panels. The gala event for the 2025/2026 round is scheduled for July 2026, with winners announced then. For universities such as UP, success in these awards signals strong research capacity, effective postgraduate training and meaningful societal impact.

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UP’s Strong Track Record in National Science Recognition

UP has a consistent history of performing well at the NSTF-South32 Awards. In the previous cycle, researchers from the institution secured five major honours, including lifetime achievement for contributions to food safety and plant health, innovation awards for small enterprises, data-for-research recognition for whale monitoring, and communication accolades for forensic science outreach.

This sustained excellence reflects UP’s strategic focus on research that addresses South African and African challenges while contributing to global knowledge. The university’s Faculties of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, and Humanities feature prominently in the current finalist list.

Key UP Finalists in the 2025/2026 Round

Among the nine UP representatives are several distinguished academics whose work spans fundamental science to applied innovation. In the Lifetime Award category, Professor Jacek Banasiak, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder in Mathematical Models and Methods in Biosciences and Bioengineering, is recognised for his contributions to mathematical biology. Professor André Ganswindt, Director of the Mammal Research Institute, is also a lifetime finalist for his leadership in mammal research and conservation.

Professor Brenda Wingfield, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder in Fungal Genomics at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, features in the lifetime category for her groundbreaking work on fungal pathogens affecting agriculture and forestry. Professor Thaddeus Metz from the Department of Philosophy and Professor Maake J Masango from Practical Theology and Mission Studies bring interdisciplinary perspectives to the same category.

In the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher category, several UP academics stand out. These include Professor Mohammad Arashi in Statistics, Professor Dave Berger in Plant and Soil Sciences, Professor Mohammad Naushad Emmambux in Food Science, Professor Inger Fabris-Rotelli in Statistics, Professor Patricia Forbes in Chemistry, Professor Rangan Gupta in Economics, Professor Almuth Hammerbacher in Zoology and Entomology, Dr Romina Henriques in Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Professor Tjaart Krüger in Physics. Professor Rebecca M Garland also appears in both researcher and green economy categories.

Additional recognition extends to teams and departments such as the Department of Animal Science for sustainable animal protein production and contributions in engineering and communication fields. The breadth of categories demonstrates UP’s integrated approach to research that combines discovery, application and public engagement.

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Broader Implications for South African Universities and Research Capacity

Finalist status at the NSTF-South32 Awards carries significant weight for higher education institutions. It validates the quality of postgraduate supervision, the relevance of research agendas and the ability to translate findings into policy, industry partnerships and community benefit. In a sector facing funding pressures and the need to increase doctoral output, such recognition helps attract top talent and international collaborations.

UP’s performance also underscores the importance of research chairs funded through the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Research Foundation. These chairs provide stable support for long-term projects that might otherwise struggle under short-term grant cycles.

Looking Ahead: The Gala and Future Opportunities

As the 2025/2026 awards cycle moves toward the July gala, attention turns to the winners and the messages their work sends about priority areas for South Africa. Themes such as healthy ageing, green economy transitions and quantum technologies feature in special categories, aligning with national development plans.

For job seekers and academics considering opportunities in South African higher education, institutions like UP offer environments where research excellence is actively celebrated and supported. The university continues to expand its research footprint through centres of excellence, industry chairs and international partnerships.

Readers interested in academic careers can explore current openings and resources on platforms dedicated to higher education opportunities in South Africa and beyond.