The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been awarded one of the five new Centres of Excellence (CoEs) approved and proclaimed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom on the 18th of February 2014 – the Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis Centre of Excellence.
In his announcement, the minister explained that the broad aim of CoEs is “to promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research among research-performing institutions, and to provide high-end skills development in priority research areas.”
This announcement is further confirmation that UJ – now ranked among the top 4% of universities in the world by QS World rankings, among the top 100 universities among the universities of BRICS countries and among the top 10 universities in Africa by the URAP rankings – has established itself as a research-performing institution both nationally and internationally.
As host to the CoE for Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis, UJ through its world-class researchers in the relevant disciplines, is poised to play a leading role in research focusing on areas that are key to the present and the future of the South African economy. The Centre’s research team will be headed by UJ’s A-rated scientist, Prof Nic Beukes. The ability of South Africa to transition from a resource-based to a knowledge-based economy will depend in part on our ability to produce ground-breaking research in mineral analysis, innovative research in energy resources and the scientific exploration of alternative energy sources.
“In awarding to UJ a CoE focused on this, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has placed on UJ and its researchers a weighty national and continental mandate. We are willing, able and raring to take the challenge,” says Professor Ihron Rensburg, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg.
