WELCOME TO NAS

Dr Najmeh Nakhaei Rad was appointed as a lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences on 1 November 2021.

Read more about her:

Q: When did you start working at UP/NAS?
A: I started working at UP/NAS in November 2019 after being awarded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (CoE-MaSS). In November 2021, I was appointed as a Lecturer in the Department of Statistics.

Q: What do you do at NAS?
A: As a lecturer in Statistics, my priority is providing the best possible education for my students and aspiring to shape their future careers in ways that are fulfilling to them and enable them to contribute on a national level.

In terms of broader contributions to my department, I am responsible for producing peer-reviewed publications in highly ranked journals, expanding my national and international research collaboration. I am also responsible for attaining funding from external sources to enrich and diversify the research projects engaged in by myself and my colleagues.

Q: As a new staff member at UP, what stands out for you from UP/NAS?
A: NAS already has opened a new window in my life. UP is one of the most well-known and highest-ranked universities in South Africa and globally. Working at UP/NAS offers me an excellent opportunity to collaborate in various research projects, especially since NAS hosts half of the NRF rated researchers at UP.

Q: What qualities do you think a good employee should have to be successful?
A: Consistent application of the organisation’s goals, awareness of the country’s needs, relevant work experience, up-to-date knowledge, teamwork potential, innovative ideas, commitment, resilience, reliability, and perseverance are good qualities.

Q: What is your life philosophy? What do you believe in?
A: Life is short. Be the reason someone smiles and make the world a better place for living.

Q: Where did you study, and what is your highest qualification?
A: I received my PhD in Statistics in 2016 from Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, Iran.

Q: Where were you previously employed?
A: I worked as a Lecturer and an Assistant Professor at the Azad University of Mashhad, Iran, from 2007 to 2019.