Research activities in the Department aim at knowledge creation and human capacity development via:
| Sustainable Environment and Water Utilization Processes | Sustainable and Efficient Energy Processes | Advanced and Applied Materials | Process Synthesis, Modeling and Optimization Unit |
- Provision of dependable and scientifically proven information in these research areas in South Africa, Africa and the world at large;
- Conducting cutting-edge research that is innovative and with potential to develop feasible solutions in these research areas in South Africa, Africa and the world at large;
- Training and graduation of appropriate high-quality and resourceful postgraduate students, postdoctoral and academic staff in these research areas in South Africa;
- Strengthening of capacity-building for research and knowledge development in these research areas in South Africa, Africa and the world at large;
- Development and delivery of postgraduate courses, short-courses or refresher courses that evolve with time to academia, industry, or government.