Excellence takes centre stage at Wits awards
- Wits Communications
Academics, researchers and professional and administrative staff honoured for outstanding contributions.
Wits University celebrated the exceptional achievements of academics, researchers and professional and administrative staff at the annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards, held during the Council and Senate Dinner at the Johannesburg Country Club on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Tasneem Wadvalla, the Registrar, welcomed guests and led the proceedings. “The Vice-Chancellor’s awards recognise individuals and teams whose dedication, innovation and commitment to excellence have strengthened the University's academic project, advanced knowledge, enriched student experiences and made a meaningful contribution to society,” she explained.
The ceremony brought together members of Council and Senate, the Senior Executive Team and award recipients to celebrate the people whose work continues to position Wits as one of Africa's leading universities.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi congratulated the recipients and said: "Your achievements reflect dedication, intellectual curiosity, perseverance and a willingness to go beyond what is expected. They represent the very best of Wits, and tonight we are proud to celebrate you."
Vilakazi added that individual excellence flourishes in an environment that encourages discovery and supports innovation. "Our responsibility as leaders is not simply to recognise excellence when it emerges, but to create the conditions in which it can flourish."
Terence Nombembe, the Chairperson of Council reflected on the importance of the cyclical relationship between academic and research excellence, the research and innovation ecosystem, and the importance of translating knowledge into meaningful societal impact and advancing the public good.
"Your achievements represent the very best of Wits. Through your dedication, creativity, research, scholarship, leadership and service, you have demonstrated what is possible when talent is matched with commitment and purpose," said Nombembe.
Members of the Senior Executive Team also paid tribute to Professor Ruksana Osman, the Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic, who retires from Wits after 40 years. “Professor Osman has led this University in multiple ways over several decades,” said Vilakazi. “We recognise her commitment and contribution to this University, and acknowledge the important role that she has played, and the many lives that she has touched over the years.”
Celebrating excellence in teaching and learning
Professor Ruksana Osman presented the Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Award to Professor Kevin Goldstein, from the School of Physics, for his sustained contribution to transforming the teaching of quantum mechanics. “Over eight years, Professor Goldstein has developed an innovative, research-informed flipped-classroom approach that integrates active learning, collaborative online engagement, concept-based assessment and continuous student feedback. His approach has improved student understanding and contributes to sustained improvements in pass rates in one of physics' most conceptually demanding subjects,” she said.
Advancing research and postgraduate supervision
“The Vice-Chancellor's Research and Supervision Awards recognise academics whose contributions advance scholarship, strengthen the University's research profile and support the next generation of researchers,” said Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor's Supervision Award was jointly awarded to Prof. Joel Quirk, from the Department of Political Studies and Professor Sandy van Vuuren from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. “The joint award recognises their contributions to postgraduate supervision and the development of emerging researchers, acknowledging the importance of mentorship and academic guidance in sustaining research excellence,” she added.
Professor Yahya Choonara, Head of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, was the joint recipient of the Vice-Chancellor's Research Award. “This award recognises research excellence and contributions to advancing knowledge within the University's research-intensive academic environment,” said Morris. ‘Congratulations to all the winners!”
Innovation with impact: Advancing global health
Professors Patrick Arbuthnot, Abdullah Ely and Charles de Koning, received the Vice-Chancellor’s Innovation and Social Impact Award for pioneering biotechnology research with the potential to improve global access to vaccines and therapeutics. “Their spin-out company, GreenLipids, is developing innovative, cost-effective lipids derived from cashew nutshell liquid for use in mRNA vaccines and other nucleic acid-based treatments,” said Morris. “The innovation aims to address challenges of affordability, accessibility and manufacturing capacity, particularly in South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries, while strengthening global health equity and pandemic preparedness.”
Academic Citizenship: Making a difference beyond the classroom
“The Vice-Chancellor's Academic Citizenship Awards recognise individuals and teams whose contributions extend beyond their formal academic responsibilities, strengthening the University and its relationships with communities,” said Professor Garth Stevens, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People, Development and Culture, who presented the awards.
Stacy Hardy, a writer, researcher and Head of Creative Writing in the School of Literature and Media, received the Academic Citizenship Award in the Individual Category. Hardy was recognised for her interdisciplinary work connecting literature, the arts, science and emerging technologies and for creating opportunities for engagement between the University and communities beyond its campuses.
The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment's Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Team received the Academic Citizenship Award in the Team Category for its longstanding contribution to science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach and learner development. “Through mentorship, judging, leadership roles and the hosting of regional science fairs, the team has helped inspire young scientists and engineers, creating pathways into higher education and strengthening Wits' engagement with schools and aspiring researchers,” he added.
Transformation through sport and inclusion
Stevens also presented the Vice-Chancellor's Transformation Awards. The Wits University Staff Sports Club received the Vice-Chancellor's Transformation Award in the Team Category for its contribution to building an inclusive, connected and supportive University community.
“The Club has grown to approximately 90 active members participating in seven sporting codes. It brings together staff from different departments, occupational levels and backgrounds, promoting wellness, social cohesion and a shared sense of belonging,” said Stevens. “The Club has also raised Wits' profile through national sporting competitions, including consecutive bronze medals in football, and has successfully secured the opportunity to host the 2028 Southern African University Staff Sports Association Games.”
Recognising exceptional service
“Professional and administrative staff are recognised for their outstanding contributions to improve the experiences of students and colleagues and strengthen the University's operational effectiveness,” said Professor Ian Jandrell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Systems and Operations.
Jean Johnstone from the Department of Internal Medicine at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, received the Service Excellence Award in the Grades 10–13 Category. “Jean is recognised for her exceptional dependability, sustained commitment and contributions extending well beyond her administrative responsibilities,” said Jandrell. “Her work has included improvements to clinical examination coordination, the development of an electronic marksheet and a clinical guide, all of which have strengthened administrative and academic processes.”
Bindu Cherian, from the Wits School of Governance, received the Service Excellence Award in the Grades 7–9 Category. “Cherian is honoured for her exceptional initiative, innovation and commitment to student-centred service. Her willingness to take ownership of interventions, improve processes and respond proactively to challenges distinguished her contribution as going well beyond routine responsibilities,” he added.
The Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management Registry Office Team received the Service Excellence Team Award for its outstanding collective contribution to postgraduate administration and University-wide process improvements. “The team was recognised for initiatives supporting early postgraduate registration, proactive assistance to research students and improvements to concurrent registration, results publication and examination processes,” said Jandrell. “The winning team comprises Owen Naicker, Jennifer Mgolodela, Bongiwe Zuma, Veli Mongwe, Nasreen Abdulla and Mark Nkosi.”
Excellence Inspires Excellence
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, said that the awards recognise individuals and teams whose contributions sustain Wits' reputation for academic excellence, innovation, social responsibility and institutional leadership.
"Congratulations to all the award winners. Excellence inspires excellence. Your work raises the aspirations of colleagues and students and strengthens the intellectual and institutional life of our University," he concluded.