The succesful applications are the two chair positions applied for by Prof Fanie van Vuuren and Prof Stephan Heyns in civil engineering and mechanical engineering, a chair position addressing public health applied for by Prof Maureen Taylor and the position of a chair in microbiology applied for by Prof Fanus Venter.

Rand Water advertised seven research chairs positions in November 2012 and all universities were invited to tender. The University, through its Water Institute (headed by Acting Director: Prof Hannes Rautenbach and the Chairperson of  the Advisory Board: Prof Anton Ströh), applied for six of the chair positions.

It should be noted that the timeframe was very short and that the commitment of all involved (researchers, heads of departments, deans, Research Support’s office staff and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research) was a key success factor for submitting a high-quality response to the call.

The Water Institute aims to constructively contribute, through its structures and external involvement, to finding solutions to Africa's water challenges.

The chair positions are set for five years each, with a grant of about one million rand each per year.