“VUT convened a researchers’ information session focused on strengthening research funding policies, incentives and institutional support under the Research, Innovation and Internationalisation portfolio.”
10 February 2026 | Story by: Nontobeko Moimane | Picture by: Peter Masela
3 minutes read time.
The Vaal University of Technology (VUT) created space for reflection, dialogue and renewal within its research community during an online Researchers’ Information Session held on 4 February 2026. Academics and researchers from across the institution gathered to engage critically on research funding, policy coherence and the systems that shape scholarly work at VUT.
Anchoring the conversation was the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, Commercialisation and Internationalisation (RICI), with Professor Simphiwe Nelana guiding the engagement. He framed the session as an invitation to speak openly, to listen carefully and to share responsibility for strengthening the University’s research ecosystem.
Opening the dialogue, Professor Nelana positioned the session as more than an information exchange. It was, he said, a platform for honesty and collective problem-solving. “This is not about listing challenges for their own sake,” he noted. “It is about working together to unlock the full potential of our research policies and funding instruments so that they serve researchers meaningfully.”
He outlined the breadth of the research portfolio, spanning research development, innovation, technology transfer, commercialisation and internationalisation. While these pillars collectively support the University’s strategic ambitions, the focus of the session rested firmly on research funding policies and how clearly they are understood, accessed and applied by researchers.
A central concern that emerged was the underutilisation of the Research Funding Policy. Professor Nelana observed that funding applications tend to concentrate heavily on conference participation, while other critical categories such as equipment grants, emerging researcher support, publication-related activities and innovation-linked funding remain largely untapped.
The discussion also surfaced structural gaps within the policy framework, particularly in relation to innovation funding, the management of external research income and the absence of clear standard operating procedures for fund utilisation and reporting. These gaps, participants noted, constrain accountability, efficiency and the long-term sustainability of research outputs.
Participants reflected on the recent reintroduction of the Research Awards, hosted for the first time in several years, as a signal of renewed commitment to recognising research excellence. Issues of incentives, turnaround times and equitable access to funding were debated openly, reinforcing the need for systems that are both fair and responsive.
Researchers were further briefed on governance and oversight mechanisms linked to research funding, including the roles of faculty research committees, institutional structures and management oversight. The need for clearer delineation of responsibilities emerged as a recurring theme, essential to transparency and effective decision-making.
The session also marked the introduction of acting research leadership, with the Acting Director: Research affirming a commitment to sustained engagement with faculties and to fostering a collaborative research culture during the transition period.
Positioned as the first in a series of consultative engagements, the session concluded with an interactive exchange in which researchers sought clarity on funding mechanisms, reporting requirements and future policy revisions. Professor Nelana confirmed that follow-up forums would be convened to refine proposals and ensure broader participation in shaping VUT’s research direction.
The Researchers’ Information Session reaffirmed VUT’s commitment to building a responsive, inclusive and high-impact research environment, one grounded in dialogue, transparency and the shared pursuit of knowledge that serves society.