Thirty-one University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers have been awarded A-ratings in the 2022 National Research Foundation (NRF) awards, the highest of any university in South Africa.

Six UCT researchers have also won awards across three categories in the NRF awards and include Professor Rajend Meshrie from the Department of African Studies & Linguistics, Associate Professor Amir Patel from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Dr Wade Petersen from the Department of Chemistry, Jessica Fell from the Department of Civil Engineering, Nkosiyomzi Haile Matutu from the Department of Psychology and Athi Welsh from the Department of Chemistry.

UCT professors that improved or retained their ratings include Professor Linda-Gail Bekker, Professor Tommie Meyer, Emeritus Professor Dirk van Zyl Smit, the late Professor Timothy Egan, Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, Professor Valerie Mizrahi, Professor Gerald Nurick and Emeritus Professor David Chidester.

“It is recognition like this that demonstrates that our researchers and research support community are key in securing and retaining our position as the top university in South Africa and on the continent,” said UCT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation Professor Sue Harrison.

She said the research of this year’s cohort of NRF awardees had incredible value outside the realm of academia, for the benefit of South Africa, by using knowledge to address local challenges through cutting-edge research.