VUT officially appoints former acting deputy vice-chancellor to lead research, innovation, commercialization and internationalization

Vaal University of Technology (VUT) is proud to announce the appointment of Dr Simphiwe Speech Nelana as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalization (RICI) effective from 1 November 2024. Dr Nelana’s tenure will run until 21 October 2029, marking a new chapter in his distinguished career.

Dr Nelana’s journey to this prestigious role has been one of serendipity and purpose. He joined VUT as a Lecturer in Chemistry in June 2008, and shortly thereafter, was elected Chairperson of the Faculty Research Committee—a voluntary role that ignited his career in research and innovation management. “My path in research and innovation management started by chance,” he recalls, “but it’s given me the privilege to support researchers in realising their visions and to contribute to the advancement of science and technology.” Dr Nelana’s career trajectory then led him to take on the role of Faculty Research Coordinator at CPUT in 2013, before rejoining VUT in 2016 as Director of Research, where he has significantly shaped VUT’s research agenda.

Reflecting on his initial inspiration for pursuing a career in research and innovation leadership, Dr Nelana shares that his motivation stemmed from a deep desire to serve. “As a research and innovation professional, you have the unique opportunity to advance science and technology by enabling researchers to focus on their projects,” he explains. His role ensures that vital elements such as funding, resources, and compliance processes are in place, allowing research ideas to evolve into impactful outcomes.

Dr Nelana’s experience as Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ADVC) for Research, Innovation, and Commercialisation and Internationalisation has been instrumental in preparing him for this confirmed role. During his acting appointment, he actively engaged in executive management as a member of the Management Committee. This role further deepened his understanding of university governance through his participation as an ex-officio member of the University Council. These experiences allowed him to oversee various divisions, including research development, technology transfer and innovation, community engagement, internationalisation, and library and information services.

Looking ahead, Dr Nelana has a clear vision for advancing research, innovation, and commercialisation as well as internationalisation at VUT. “I aim to create a thriving environment for research, innovation, and commercialisation,” he says. His priorities include building interdisciplinary teams and partnerships both within the institution and with external organisations, such as industry partners, government bodies, and global research and innovation networks. Dr. Nelana believes that by dismantling internal and external silos and cultivating a culture of performance, collaboration, and accountability, VUT can unlock its full potential to deliver high-impact solutions. He envisions creating research and innovation hubs that focus on strategic areas, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, share resources and expertise, and integrate community and industry feedback to ensure VUT’s efforts address societal needs effectively. As he navigates the RICI portfolio, Dr Nelana and his team are finalising a tactical plan aligned with the university’s institutional strategy. Key activities will include developing research governance frameworks, streamlining operational processes, establishing a research roadmap, digitising academic resources, upgrading digital platforms, and fostering global collaborations. Other initiatives include increasing applied research outputs, raising awareness of intellectual property, developing community-based research projects, and commercialising research outputs.

Dr Nelana’s achievements during his tenure as Acting DVC are numerous. He played a key role in developing and signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between VUT and the Vaal Special Economic Zone, a collaboration now yielding positive results, with Technology Transfer and Innovation representing VUT. He was also instrumental in the signing of an MOU with inter alia, Masai Mara University, which has led to two postdoctoral research fellows joining VUT, as well as the successful graduation of two doctoral students co-supervised by both institutions in 2023 and 2024. Dr Nelana has revitalised VUT’s relationships with the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), leading to a R5 million grant for VUT’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO). More recently, his leadership was also central to the hosting the MICT SETA Research Chair Symposium at VUT, culminating in the launch of the MICT SETA Research Chair in Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

In fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr Nelana envisions creating a Centre for Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation that will work closely with the Technology Transfer Office. This centre aims to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit among both students and faculty members.

Strengthening VUT’s position within the local and international research communities is also a high priority for Dr Nelana. “We must ensure that our collaboration agreements with local and international partners are grounded in clear, tangible objectives and projects with measurable outcomes,” he asserts.

Looking to the future, Dr Nelana envisions the RICI portfolio as an integrated entity that harnesses new technologies to offer a broad range of resources to staff and students. This includes providing training opportunities, supporting technology transfer, assisting with commercialisation, helping with grant proposal development, offering funding support, and providing international as well as intercultural exposure.

Finally, his advice to young researchers and innovators is clear: “Focus on real-world problems, particularly those affecting your local communities. Build a solid foundation in your chosen field, stay curious, and embrace lifelong learning. Seek mentors, collaborate, and stay updated with emerging technologies.”

Outside of his professional work, Dr Nelana enjoys reading and travelling, activities that help him unwind and stay inspired.