Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards – 2012

To raise ethical questions, investigate possibilities and consider old moral, political and legal philosophy from a new angle, requires creative imagination and are hallmarks of advances in research. This approach rings true for the Department of Philosophy at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). ​

Prof Thaddeus Metz and Prof Hennie Lotter from UJ’s Department of Philosophy are examples of innovators who push the boundaries of discovery and progress in philosophy. They are among seven UJ employees who are being honoured for their research, hard work and dedication, at this year’s Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards function, held on Thursday, 15 November 2012.

The Vice-Chancellor’s Awards categories are Teaching, Research and Innovation as well as Exceptional Service by support staff, going beyond the call of duty.

Prof Metz is the recipient of the VC’s Distinguished Award for Researcher of the Year and Prof Lotter’s teaching excellence is being recognised with the VC’s Distinguished Teacher Excellence Award. Also being acknowledged for his teaching excellence is Prof Alex van der Walt from the Department of Accountancy (Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences).​

Prof James Darkwa from the Department of Chemistry (Faculty of Science) was named runner-up in the Researcher of the Year category. The VC’s Distinguished Award for Most Promising Emerging Researcher of the Year is Prof Fiona Tegenna from theDepartment of Economics and Econometrics (Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences).

The award Exceptional Service by support staff, going beyond the call of duty is being bestowed on Ms Nandarani Maistry from UJ’s Postgraduate Centre and Mr Molefi Nyofane from UJ’s Library Services.

Past awardees: 2011

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards: Teacher Excellence

• Prof Nathalie Hyde-Clarke from the Department of Communication and Media Studies (Faculty of Humanities)

• Prof Ben Marx from the Department of Accountancy (Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences).

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Researcher of the Year

• Prof Bheki Mamba from the Department of Chemical Technology (Faculty of Science)

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Most Promising Young Researcher of the Year

• Dr Ernst Joubert from the Department of Mathematics (Faculty of Science)

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards to Support Staff for Exceptional Service: Beyond the Call of Duty

• Ms Teolene Foster from UJ’s HIV/Aids Unit

• Ms Sanpat Coetzee from UJ Sport.

Past awardees: 2010

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards: Teacher Excellence
• Prof Dawie de Villiers from the Department of Public Law and Department of Criminal and Procedural Law ,Faculty of Law
• Mr Ruan Moolman from the Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science

• Mr Arnold Wentzel from the Department of Economics and Econometrics, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Researcher of the Year

• Prof Heidi Abrahamse from the Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Most Promising Young Researcher of the Year

• Prof Alain Kabundi from the Department of Economic and Econometrics, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards to Support Staff for Exceptional Service: Beyond the Call of Duty

• Ms Lesmarie Bentley-Steyn from Marketing and Brand, Division of Institutional Advancement

• Ms Louise Steyn from Central Academic Administration.

Past awardees: 2009

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Awards: Teacher Excellence
• Prof H Winkler, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science
• Ms C van Rooyen, Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, Faculty of Humanities
• Ms E du Toit, Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Researcher of the Year
• Professor B-E van Wyk, Department of Botany, Faculty of Science

Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Award: Most Promising Young Researcher of the Year
• Dr M de Kock, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science

Vice-Chancellor’s Awards to Support Staff for Exceptional Service: Beyond the Call of Duty
• Prof H Geyser / Ms I Pretorius (joint award), Division for Institutional Planning and Quality Promotion
• Dr J Manyaka, Campus Director, Soweto Campus
Past awardees: 2008
Distinguished Teacher Awards
• Dr JJ de Beer, Department of Mathematics, Science Technology and Computer Education, Faculty of Education
• Prof C Moloi, Department of Educational Management, Faculty of Education
• Prof G Els, Department of Finance and Investment Management, Faculty of Economic and Financial Science
Outstanding Researcher Award
• Prof W Harris, Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences
Most Promising Young Researcher Award
• Dr W Conradie, Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science
Past awardees: 2007
Two Researcher awards only:
• Prof Bill Harris Optometry
• Prof Nic Beukes, Geology​​​