Introduction by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal
The centenary year offered a unique opportunity to highlight the progress that the University has made in achieving its strategic goal of being an internationally recognised, research-led university.
In looking back over the last century, I asked that we identify the hundred leading minds who have made significant contributions to their disciplines, had distinguished careers and helped to create the research ethos for which the University has become known.
With the assistance of Prof Theuns Erasmus, a former Vice-Principal for Research, the publication records and archives of the University were scoured to identify those scholars who would be recognised for their outstanding contributions. A combination of criteria was used to identify these individuals. The criteria were adapted for the period during which the scholars were active, from early in the 20th century to the current period for active members of staff. Some contemporary young scholars who had excelled in their research fields were also included. The outcome of this process was the identification of a group of individuals who were honoured at a ceremony entitled Honouring our Leading Minds (1908 to 2008), where medals were presented to the researchers or to their relatives by the Nobel prize winner, Sydney Brenner. The occasion was one of celebration and epitomised for me the kind of scholars the University should aspire to nurture in the future.
The unfolding of the Research Strategy of the University is again clearly reflected in this report. The University has maintained its pre-eminent position in the production of research publication units, has sustained growth in the number of NRF-rated staff members and produced the largest number of doctoral graduates in the higher education sector. The fostering of a research and innovation culture that produces work of the highest impact is the cornerstone of our current and future efforts. The feature articles and faculty reviews that follow provide clear evidence of current achievements and future directions.
Prof. CWI Pistorius
Vice-chancellor and Principal
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