The Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment hosted its annual Faculty Research Day 2024 at the Coastlands hotel, Umhlanga on Friday, 25 October 2024.

The event’s objectives were to encourage a research and innovation culture among the faculty, offer a forum for the exchange of research findings, stimulate thought-provoking conversations, and support interdisciplinary teamwork. The event also aimed to boost the faculty’s reputation for research, encourage interest in research activities, and honour the members’ accomplishments in research.

Giving the welcome address at the event was the Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Professor Sudesh Rathilal, who explained that the Research day is an annual event and was the third time that the faculty was holding this event after successful events in 2022 and 2023.

“Welcome to our third annual Research Day and I am very delighted with the attendance. I think going forward we should make it a two-day conference, because I can see that it is improving every year. This event is called the Faculty Research Day, but we also combined it with staff and students awards that will take place a little later,” said Prof Rathilal.

Plenary sessions, parallel sessions on particular research topics, and lectures by eminent speakers were all on the day’s schedule. These meetings promoted intellectual discussion and knowledge sharing on a wide range of subjects. Additionally, participants got the chance to interact with the research community, network with students and other academics, and look into possible joint research projects.

Presenters ranged from academics/researchers, postgraduate students (Master’s and Doctoral) and Honours students. In all, there were more than 65 presentations across the various disciplines within the faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

The Research Day then culminated with the presentation of the Faculty Awards 2024 based on achievements in 2023.

Award winning Desiree Naidu shared that studying and working full time felt overwhelming at times, and there were definitely moments when it was tough to keep going, but through it all, she never gave up, and receiving this recognition made all that effort feel truly worthwhile.

“I’m feeling a mix of pride and gratitude. Achieving recognition at the Faculty of Engineering Research Day. It was both validating and motivating, encouraging me to push even further in my studies and now I am pursuing my master’s degree. I was awarded the platinum award, which is such an incredible honour. It feels especially rewarding considering the intense journey I have been on, working full-time while studying full-time last year,” she excitedly shared.

The closing remarks were delivered by the Faculty’s Acting Executive Dean, Prof Rathilal and the vote of thanks was shared by the Acting Deputy Dean, Prof Moloi, who concluded the successful day of events.

Pictured: Acting Executive Dean in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment Prof Rathilal, and awardees at the 2024 Faculty’s Research Day.

Thubelihle Dumakude