VUT launches five books in collaboration with UNISA

VUT launches five books in collaboration with UNISA

By: Staff Reporter – 01 September 2023

The Vaal University of Technology (VUT)’s Faculty of Human Science and the Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions at the University of South Africa (UNISA) launched five (5) edited books published this year.

The launch took place on 01 September 2023 at UNISA’s Senate Hall in Pretoria.

These books result from a fruitful collaboration between Professor Godwell Nhamo’s UNISA team from the Institute of Corporate Citizenship, who generously funded this initiative through the Exxaro Chair in Climate and Sustainability Transitions.

This project is part of a larger effort led by Prof Kaitano Dube, the acting Faculty Research Professor at VUT, involving nine co-authored and edited books in collaboration with UNISA and Springer Cham. These publications have garnered substantial attention, evidenced by high download rates and peer citations, indicating their global significance – something that Prof Dube says has greatly boosted the Faculty’s reputation.

While the launch coincides with UNISA’s celebration of its 150 years of “learning in service to humanity”, and the Chair’s 15 years of existence, it also celebrates Prof Dube’s incredibly productive academic journey spanning less than eight years. Throughout this period, he has authored over 107 peer-reviewed publications, encompassing books, book chapters, and journal articles. Notably, a substantial portion of these works has been featured in esteemed Q1 and Q2 band peer-reviewed journals, attesting to their quality and impact.

Importantly, this academic output has transcended scholarly circles and influenced global policy documents. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), European Union (EU), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and World Health Organization (WHO) are among the entities that have integrated Prof Dube’s work into their policy considerations.

Within the context of the five-book project, Prof Dube collaborated with promising junior staff from VUT and the University of Johannesburg (UJ), among others. Notable among these are Dr Peter Chihwai and Dr Ndhlovu, both Post Doctoral Fellows, along with Senior Lecturer Dr Konani Thwala, who has transitioned to Mpumalanga University. Additionally, Mr Tshenolo Moitsiemenag, a Lecturer in Tourism, and Ms Matilda Mashapa, a former VUT Student now turned Lecturer at UJ, have also been part of this venture. With over 15 chapters contributed by the VUT team, the university’s research output for the year is expected to see a significant boost.

According to prof Dube the books being launched offer a comprehensive exploration of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, response, and recovery across various domains. These books provide diverse perspectives, from agriculture and food security to health and the global, regional, and national tourism industry. He also added that collaborators from universities across the Global North and South have contributed to these volumes, fostering a truly international outlook. “It’s noteworthy that the involvement of both emerging and established researchers, including black female academics, reflects a commitment to diversity and the empowerment of underrepresented voices,” he said.

The following Books will be launched:

“This collaborative effort and the resulting books showcase a remarkable commitment to academic excellence and a dedication to addressing pressing global issues. It’s a testament to the valuable work the Faculty of Human Science and its partners are doing,” Dube emphasised.