CLM celebrates excellence in research, teaching and supervision
- CLM Comms
The CLM Faculty recently celebrated achievements in research, teaching, and postgraduate supervision at its annual Excellence Awards ceremony.
Opening the event, Assistant Dean for Research, Prof Wayne van Zijl, reflected on the role of universities in an age shaped by artificial intelligence. While technology continues to transform what intelligence looks like, Prof van Zijl noted that universities remain places where human curiosity meets human rigour and judgement. Like previous technological innovations, AI can be used positively to free us to think more fully, or negatively to avoid thinking altogether.
Dean of the Faculty, Prof Jason Cohen, congratulated the award recipients and highlighted the importance of celebrating teaching, research and supervision together. In his keynote address, Faculty Director Prof Maurice Radebe joked that he was going to "spoil the surprise" by naming award recipients and reflecting on the achievements that earned them recognition. In doing so, he highlighted the interconnected nature of teaching, research and supervision, noting that excellence across all three areas contributes to Wits' position as the leading university on the continent. He also praised research that addresses African realities while contributing to global conversations.
Teaching Excellence Awards
The Faculty's Teaching Excellence Awards recognise outstanding contributions to student learning and scholarly teaching. They celebrate innovative, reflective and research-informed approaches to teaching, while showcasing practices that enrich the student learning experience and inspire excellence across the faculty.
Dr Suzanne Sackstein (School of Business Sciences) received the Open Award for her principled and effective researcher development work in an Information Systems honours course, while Dr Relebohiseng Matubatuba (School of Business Sciences) received the Early- or Mid-Career Individual Award for her innovative curriculum redesign of a Marketing III course.
The Team-Teaching Award was jointly awarded to two teams. The first team, from the Margo Steele School of Accountancy, comprised Ms Naledi Nkhi, Ms Shaaira Sackoor, Ms Phatsimo Moroeng, Mr Vusi Ndzimakhwe, Ms Mariam Mia and Ms Tsireledzo Mulaudzi. They were celebrated for their innovative approach to the gamification of Taxation III tutorials.
The second team, from the Wits School of Governance, comprised Prof. Christine Hobden, Dr Caryn Abrahams, and Prof. Heidi Brooks. They received the award in celebration of their novel approach to teaching academic integrity to postgraduate students.
Postgraduate Supervision Award
Professor Ismail Fasanya received the Faculty's Postgraduate Supervision Award in recognition of his sustained contribution to postgraduate student development and supervision excellence.
Research Excellence Awards
Research excellence in the Faculty is recognised across several categories, reflecting the many ways in which academic impact can be demonstrated. Profs Warren Maroun, Boris Urban, Moinak Maiti, Neo Ligaraba and Dr Dusan Ecim were all recognised for being the top 5 most productive researchers in terms of volume of work, with Dr Kingsley Okere receiving the same award in the new Postdoctoral Researcher category.
The faculty also recognised research quality through publications in A+ journals (top 10 within their discipline). Recipients in this category were Prof Adam Aboobaker, Dr Yuxiang Ye, Prof Philip Adom, Prof Tendai Gwatidzo, Prof Kalu Ojah, Prof Odongo Kodongo, Prof Warren Maroun, Prof Dusan Ecim and Prof Thomas Anning-Dorson. Recognition was also given for citation impact, with Dr Samwel Mwapwele receiving the award for his co-authored article on factors influencing e commerce adoption in developing countries.
Beyond traditional metrics, the faculty celebrated research that reaches wider audiences and contributes to societal change. Dr Relebohiseng Matubatuba received the Research-Driven Media Impact Award, while Prof Jones Odei-Mensah received the Research-Driven Social, Environmental and Policy Impact Award.
Celebrating academic excellence
Closing the event, Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning Prof Danie de Klerk reflected on the significance of bringing teaching, research and supervision together in a single celebration, highlighting the relationship between scholarship, student learning and postgraduate development.
The awards underscore CLM's commitment to excellence across its core academic mission and celebrate the many ways in which staff contribute to student success, scholarly advancement and societal impact.