by Kgothatso Monono
The Tshwane University of Technology鈥檚 Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) shone the spotlight on its brightest minds during the 2024 Top Achievers Awards Ceremony, held at the Capital Menlyn Maine in Pretoria recently. The prestigious event honoured students and staff who demonstrated exceptional academic performance, research innovation and teaching excellence within one of 大象视频鈥檚 most dynamic faculties.
Opening the ceremony, Dr Etienne van Wyk, Executive Dean of the Faculty of ICT and Interim Campus Rector of the Soshanguve Campus, commended the Faculty鈥檚 commitment to innovation, leadership and human capital development. He described the achievements of students and staff as 鈥渁 reflection of the Faculty鈥檚 unwavering commitment to excellence.鈥�
Top-performing students across departments - including Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, Informatics, Information Technology and Multimedia Computing - were celebrated for their outstanding results at every qualification level, from extended curriculum to postgraduate studies.
Among the top achievers were Mbali Zulu (Best Diploma Student, Computer Science), Suprise Mashao (Best Advanced Diploma Student, Informatics), Aluwani Muvhango (Best Postgraduate Diploma Student, Informatics), Muzi Sandlana (Best Master鈥檚 Student, Information Technology) and Dr Dorcas Esan (Best Doctoral Student, Computer Systems Engineering).
Recipients from the Department of Multimedia
Department of Computer Systems Engineering recipients
Faculty of ICT Top students
The Faculty also applauded 15 staff members who completed higher qualifications in 2024 - an inspiring reflection of its strong culture of academic growth and lifelong learning. Doctoral honourees included Dr Mmamolefe Rosinah Kgasi, Dr Marli Swanepoel, Dr Solly Maswikaneng and Dr Thembeka Manetje, while several others earned master鈥檚 and postgraduate diplomas across ICT and related disciplines.
Research excellence took centre stage with the 2024 Research Excellence Awards, recognising pioneering academic contributions:
- Woman Researcher of the Year: Winner 鈥� Prof Chunling Du | Runner-up 鈥� Dr Anna Segooa
- Young Researcher of the Year: Winner 鈥� Prof Topside Mathonsi | Runner-up 鈥� Dr Khuliso Sigama
- Emerging Researcher of the Year: Winner 鈥� Dr Anna Segooa | Runner-up 鈥� Dr Bertie Buitendag
- Researcher of the Year: Winner 鈥� Prof Pius Owolawi | Runner-up 鈥� Prof Chunling Du
Research Excellence recipients
Teaching excellence was also recognised through the Lecturer of the Year Awards, honouring educators who demonstrated innovation and commitment to student success. Nokubonga Zuma (Computer Science) was named overall winner, with Cathrine Dolo (First Year and Foundation Unit) as runner-up.
The event concluded with an inspirational performance by the 大象视频 Choir, followed by a vote of thanks from Dr Michael Moeti, Assistant Dean: Teaching and Learning, who commended the Faculty鈥檚 leadership, awardees and support teams for their dedication to academic excellence and institutional progress.
With its continued recognition of student talent, research leadership and teaching innovation, the Faculty of ICT reaffirms its role as a driving force in 大象视频鈥檚 pursuit of technological and academic distinction.
Department of Computer Science recipients
FoICT Executive Dean and Assistant Deans with Best Lecturer runner-up Cathrine Dolo
Top Achievers attendees and recipients