The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has secured several finalists across five categories in the prestigious 2025/26 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards, widely regarded as South Africa’s “Science Oscars”.

The finalists will compete for top honours when the winners are announced at simultaneous gala events in Johannesburg and Cape Town on 16 July 2026.

The finalists place UJ among the country’s strongest-performing universities in this year’s awards and demonstrate the Institution’s growing reputation for research and innovation that addresses some of the country’s most pressing challenges, from cancer treatment and public health to food security, green hydrogen technologies and advanced research software.

The NSTF-South32 Awards are South Africa’s premier recognition platform for excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation. Established in 1998, the awards honour individuals, teams and organisations whose work advances knowledge, drives innovation and contributes to national development. Finalists are selected through a rigorous adjudication process and represent the country’s leading scientists, engineers, innovators and research teams.

“This recognition reflects the depth, diversity and impact of UJ’s research enterprise,” said Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UJ.

“Our researchers are pushing the boundaries of knowledge while developing practical solutions that improve lives, strengthen communities and contribute to South Africa’s development. To be recognised among the country’s leading scientists and innovators is a remarkable achievement and a testament to UJ’s commitment to excellence, innovation and societal impact.”

Leading UJ’s representation is Professor Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi, who has been named a finalist in the TW Kambule-NSTF Researcher Award category. His pioneering research focuses on the development of advanced nanomaterial-bioconjugates that combine therapeutic and diagnostic functions in a single platform, opening new possibilities for more effective and less invasive cancer treatment. His work contributes to the global pursuit of precision medicine and improved outcomes for cancer patients.

The University’s contribution to strengthening food security and public health is reflected in two finalists in the TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award category.

Dr Mahlatse Kganyago has been recognised for harnessing satellite technology, remote sensing and artificial intelligence to better understand agricultural systems and strengthen food security. His research enables more accurate monitoring of crops, environmental conditions and agricultural productivity, helping decision-makers respond more effectively to climate variability and food security challenges.

Joining him is Dr Edith Phalane from the Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER) in UJ’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Her research has generated critical public health evidence to better understand local epidemics and improve preparedness for future pandemics. Through her work, she is helping to strengthen disease surveillance, inform public health responses and improve health outcomes across communities.

UJ’s growing leadership in sustainable energy, advanced materials and engineering research is reflected in the recognition of the JENano Research Group, led by Professor Tien-Chien Jen, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair in Green Hydrogen and Director of the Atomic Layer Deposition Research Centre.

The group has secured finalists in two categories: the Engineering Research Capacity Development Award and the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation. Through its cutting-edge work in green hydrogen technologies, nanotechnology and advanced materials, the group is helping to build South Africa’s next generation of engineering researchers while contributing to innovations that support the country’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.

Further demonstrating UJ’s innovation capabilities, Associate Professor Krishna Govender has been named a finalist in the newly introduced Research Software Award category. His nomination recognises the development of a unique suite of user-friendly scripts for South Africa’s Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), enabling researchers to more effectively utilise national supercomputing resources and accelerate scientific discovery across multiple disciplines.

The introduction of the Research Software Award in 2026 reflects the growing importance of software and digital infrastructure in enabling world-class research and innovation. Professor Govender’s recognition highlights UJ’s contribution to advancing the digital tools that increasingly underpin scientific progress.

The finalists span the following categories:

• TW Kambule-NSTF Researcher Award – Professor Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi
• TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award – Dr Mahlatse Kganyago
• TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher Award – Dr Edith Phalane
• Engineering Research Capacity Development Award – JENano Research Group led by Professor Tien-Chien Jen
• Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation – JENano Research Group led by Professor Tien-Chien Jen
• Research Software Award – Associate Professor Krishna Govender
• The finalists were selected from a highly competitive field of nominations. According to the NSTF, nominations increased by 39% compared to the previous year, reflecting growing recognition of the awards and the exceptional calibre of research and innovation being undertaken across South Africa.

The winners of the will be announced on 16 July 2026, when South Africa’s leading scientists, engineers, innovators and research teams gather to celebrate excellence in science, technology and innovation.

The nominations reflect the University’s commitment to producing research and innovation that advances scientific knowledge while addressing critical societal challenges, reinforcing its role as a leading contributor to South Africa’s knowledge economy and sustainable future.