UP industrial and systems engineering researcher Prof Marné de Vries reflects on her academic journey, which recently culminated in her receiving a C rating from the NRF.

For Professor Marné de Vries, a lecturer in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Pretoria (UP), earning a National Research Foundation (NRF) C rating was not just a career milestone, but a reflection of a lifetime of dedication, collaboration and passion for research. This rating recognises Prof De Vries as an established researcher within a focused area, demonstrating both local relevance and international impact.

“I am deeply thankful to the many individuals who provided support throughout my journey,” she said.

Prof De Vries added that her parents and academic mentors shaped her critical thinking and holistic approach to problem-solving. Additionally, her husband, family, colleagues and collaborators created a nurturing environment for growth and learning.

Her academic career began in 2003 when she joined the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at UP as a lecturer. Her PhD studies – which focused on the growing field of enterprise architecture and inspired by the work of information technology consultant John Zachman – offered a turning point. Over time, her interests evolved to encompass the broader discipline of enterprise engineering, guided by pioneers like Prof Jan Dietz and Prof Jan Hoogervorst.

Encouraged by her department head, Prof De Vries applied for her first NRF rating in 2017. She recalls how the NRF incentive funding played a pivotal role in fostering collaborations with the enterprise engineering community and the Open Models Initiative Laboratory. These partnerships enriched her research and provided support for her PhD students. One of these students developed a performance assessment tool for measuring electricity service delivery performance across multiple municipalities, highlighting the tangible impact of her work.

For Prof De Vries, achieving an NRF C rating requires more than academic accolades.

“It demands collaboration with international researchers, engagement in global initiatives and alignment with priorities like those outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the NRF’s Vision 2030.”

Her research focuses on enterprise engineering combined with conceptual modelling, and promoting participative and inclusive design methods to create sustainable enterprises.

Balancing the demands of research, teaching, administrative duties and family life remains a challenge, she says, yet she sees this balancing act as an opportunity for deeper understanding.

“The interplay between my roles as a researcher, teacher and parent has given me unique insights into the complexities of human systems,” she noted.

Her aspirations are grounded in a pragmatic, human-centric approach to solving real-world problems. Prof De Vries emphasises the need for interdisciplinary research to address the complexities of modern enterprises while contributing to meaningful, incremental change.

“It’s not about grand gestures but about small, systematic improvements that lead to impactful change.”