NEWLY APPOINTED WSU DVC AIMS TO DRIVE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION TO THE GLOBAL STAGE

Walter Sisulu University’s (WSU) research landscape is set for bold transformation under the leadership of the newly appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research & Internationalisation, Professor Nosisi Feza.

An NRF C-rated researcher of mathematics education and renowned leader in higher education, Prof. Feza brings a wealth of experience, global insights, and a deep passion for academic excellence.

“WSU is named after a global human rights stalwart; we must take our rightful place on the world stage,” she said.

Her leadership journey spans some of South Africa’s top institutions, including the Human Sciences Research Council, where she managed large-scale research projects, the University of South Africa, where she led the Institute of Science and Technology, and the University of Venda, where she built a high-performing research team.

Now back at WSU, she is determined to refine and amplify the university’s research potential.

“Research allows us to unravel, gain insights, expand, inform, and predict. It’s the healthiest space in any institution, driven by curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge,” she said.

Prof. Feza envisions a dynamic, innovative, and globally recognised research culture.

“Our priority is quality, relevant research that society experiences and benefits from. Research must serve the people—informing teaching, learning, innovation, community engagement, and entrepreneurship,” she said.

Central to this vision is WSU’s ambitious Vision 2030, positioning the university as a technology-driven African institution. However, she stresses that technological advancement must be rooted in African epistemologies, ethically integrated with AI, and centered on humanity.

“This vision demands that we align our strategies while staying true to the identity of this institution. Our research must uphold integrity and remain relevant to the communities we serve,” she added.

Prof Feza also emphasised aligning research with national and global priorities.

“Our research community must contribute to the South Africa we want—in line with the DSI-Cadal Plan, the National Development Plan 2030, Africa 2063, and the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

A key focus area is nurturing postgraduate students as both scholars and future entrepreneurs.

“We must cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset throughout their studies, creating opportunities for them to innovate, commercialise, and establish businesses while still at university,” she said.

To drive this forward, she plans to develop a Research and Innovation Strategy and a Commercialisation Strategy, strengthening WSU’s existing entrepreneurship framework.

“WSU is rich in diversity, and sometimes this wealth is unseen. It takes boldness to refine and transform it to shine. Some of the best doctors, advocates, professors, and engineers come from this institution—it’s time we mine this gold and bring it to the surface,” she said.

She also sees international partnerships as key to elevating WSU’s global standing.

“WSU has academics of stature who are actively engaged on the world stage. We must capitalise on this and strengthen our international collaborations for sustainable knowledge sharing and development,” she added.

Prof. Feza led a high-performing research team at the University of Venda that achieved international recognition and secured prestigious awards. She is determined to replicate and exceed that success at WSU.

“I won’t disclose much, but I can promise that WSU will explore its low-hanging fruits for esteem development and wider recognition. We will enhance data sources and marketing strategies to ensure our research enters global networks automatically through our recognised performance.”

As she steps into this new role, Prof. Feza’s vision is clear—to position WSU as a research powerhouse, making meaningful contributions to society, industry, and global scholarship.

By: Yolanda Palezweni