PRETORIA - The University of Pretoria (UP) formally recognised its most distinguished academics at its 25th Annual Academic Achievers’ Awards, which celebrated excellence in research, teaching and community engagement. The awards acknowledged scholars whose work exemplified the University’s mission to generate transformative knowledge and contribute meaningfully to addressing both national and global challenges.

The ceremony brought together senior academics, early-career researchers and University leadership for an event that reinforced UP’s reputation as one of Africa’s foremost research-intensive universities and a leading contributor to global knowledge production. Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen expressed admiration for the award recipients and reaffirmed UP’s commitment to scholarly excellence.

“Tonight was an important opportunity to recognise and honour our academic staff who pushed boundaries, and whose excellence and commitment elevated both the University of Pretoria and broader society by addressing a range of local and global issues through solution-focused research,” he said.

Among the most prestigious accolades presented was the Exceptional Academic Achiever Award, conferred on senior academics who had already achieved the status of Professor and had consistently excelled in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and learning, research, community service and administration over a sustained period.

The 2025 recipients were Professors Dave Berger, Patricia Forbes, Roula Inglesi-Lotz, Christa Janse van Rensburg, Ericka Noelle L’Abbé, Llewellyn Padayachy, Johan Schoeman, Emma Steenkamp and Alta van der Merwe. Their work spanned disciplines from informatics, chemistry, economics and neurosurgery, highlighting the intellectual breadth and impact of UP’s academic community.

The Exceptional Young Researchers Award recognised emerging academics whose research aligned with UP’s strategic priorities of academic excellence, international competitiveness and local relevance. The awardees were Dr Romina Henriques, Dr Jan Hugo, Dr Phemelo Magau, Dr Najmeh Nakhaeirad and Professor Willem Gabriel le Roux. They were commended for their innovative work in biochemistry, architecture, engineering and law, among other fields.

In addition to research achievements, the ceremony also acknowledged pedagogical innovation and public scholarship. The Teaching Excellence Laureate Award was conferred on Dr Werner Badenhorst of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering; Professor Anri Human of the Department of Physiotherapy; Professor Anculien Schoeman of the Department of Taxation; and Tanya Hill, also of the Department of Taxation.

UP further conferred the Community Engagement Award on Dr Nadine Sonnenberg. This award was presented annually to one individual in recognition of community engagement as a long-standing and valued tradition in higher education, and as an extensive, high-impact practice in teaching at UP. The criteria for the award were aligned with those of the MacJannet Award, which is administered internationally by the Talloires Network.

The Conversation Africa Science Communication Award was conferred on both Dr Marius van Oordt and Dr Samuel Oyewole. Dr van Oordt was recognised for being the UP author with the single most-read article. He was a former associate professor at the African Tax Institute in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, where he served from 2010 to June 2024. Dr Oyewole was recognised for being the UP author with the most articles published in The Conversation. He was a postdoctoral research fellow at the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) and the Ocean Regions Programme at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He was also a lecturer in political science at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria.

The RE.SEARCH Contribution Award  was conferred on the Department of Consumer and Food Sciences, headed by Professor Gyebi Duodu. The award was given to a department or faculty that consistently communicated its science and research by providing relevant submissions relating to the theme of each edition.

NRF ratings are a mark of excellence in South African research, reflecting the quality, impact, and international recognition of a researcher’s work. The University also honoured its many newly NRF-rated Researchers  including six A-rated, 18 B-rated, 63 C-rated, one P-rated, and 17 Y-rated scientists.

Looking towards the future, Prof Petersen referenced the UP130 Strategic Plan, which envisioned an inclusive, innovative and impact-oriented institution as the University approached its 130th anniversary.

“Our students and staff were the lifeblood of UP. Their creativity, insight and resilience were central to achieving our vision. We were committed to being a university where everyone belonged, felt valued and contributed to our shared mission,” he said.

Prof Petersen concluded by acknowledging the awardees’ contributions to advancing UP’s academic mission. “You embodied the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defined UP. May your success continue to inspire us all to reach even greater heights.”