Excellence on display as faculty honours its top achievers

Academic excellence and outstanding achievements by staff and students were celebrated in style during the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology’s (ICT) annual Top Achievers Awards ceremony, held on 8 September at The Olympus Manor.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of ICT and Interim Campus Rector of the Soshanguve Campus, Dr Etienne van Wyk. Besides recognising the outstanding achievements by staff and students for the 2025 academic year, the event also served as a celebration of the commitment, perseverance and excellence demonstrated by members of the faculty across teaching and learning, research, innovation and professional development.

Opening the programme, the Executive Dean of the Faculty and Interim Campus Rector of the Soshanguve Campus, Dr Etienne van Wyk, welcomed guests and reflected on the faculty’s achievements. He also shared his views on the technopreneurial approach that the faculty should adopt to align with TUT’s vision of becoming an entrepreneurial university of technology that shapes the future.

The 2025 highlights in teaching and learning, research and innovation, as well as projects and Work-Integrated Learning, were presented by Assistant Deans, Dr Michael Moeti; Dr Agnieta Pretorius; and Prof Pius Owolawi.

Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Studies, Research and Innovation, Dr Agnieta Pretorius. During the awards presentations, students from the departments of Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, Informatics, Information Technology and Multimedia Computing, were recognised in categories ranging from Extended Curriculum and first-year achievement to diploma, advanced diploma and postgraduate diploma levels.

Among the award recipients were Siphamandla Nyashe, who was named the Faculty’s Best Extended Diploma Student, and Thabiso Ngwenya, who received recognition as the Best First-Year Diploma Student. Maropeng Malemela was recognised as the Best Diploma Student, while Thabo Nyakane received the award for Best Advanced Diploma Student.

Beauty Komane was recognised as the Best Postgraduate Diploma Student, while Ndivhuho Tshilongamulenzhe was named Best Master’s Student. Dr Giresse Mukadi Komba received the award for Best Doctoral Student in the faculty.

Assistant Dean for projects and Work-Integrated Learning, Prof Pius Owolawi. The ceremony also recognised staff members who continues to advance their qualifications and contribute to the faculty’s academic growth. Eight staff members were acknowledged for improving their qualifications, which included doctoral, master’s, honours and postgraduate diploma achievements. Their accomplishments reflected the faculty’s commitment to continuous professional and academic development.

The faculty also recognised outstanding contributions to research. Prof Chunling Du was named Woman Researcher of the Year, while Prof Topside Mathonsi received the Young Researcher of the Year award. Dr Vianney Kambale was recognised as Emerging Researcher of the Year, and Prof Pius Owolawi was named Researcher of the Year. The awards also recognised runners-up Dr Anna Segooa, Dr Tshimangadzo Tshilongamulenzhe and Dr Refilwe Mogase. Excellence in teaching was also celebrated, with Dr Anna Segooa named Lecturer of the Year and Dr Marli Swanepoel recognised as runner-up.

Assistant Dean for Teaching and Learning, Dr Michael Moeti. For the Faculty of ICT, the annual Top Achievers Awards provide an opportunity to pause and celebrate the people behind its success. From students excelling in their academic programmes to staff advancing their qualifications, producing impactful research and contributing to quality teaching, the awards reflect a culture in which achievement is recognised, valued and encouraged.

In his vote of thanks message, Prof Owolawi said excellence is not a single achievement, but a continuous journey built on commitment, hard work and a willingness to grow. “The faculty looks forward to building on these achievements as it continues to develop graduates, researchers and academics who contribute meaningfully to the ICT sector and society, he concluded.