RESEARCH FESTIVAL 2025
Research with Purpose: Grounding Innovation in African Realities
PROGRAMME Tuesday, 28 October 2025
PROGRAMME FACILITATOR Dr Esti Venske
SARETEC AUDITORIUM, SACKS CIRCLE, BELLVILLE
08:50–09:50 Arrival & Sign In Tea/Coffee/Light Refreshments Networking
SESSION 1
WELCOME | 20 YEARS OF RESEARCH WITH PURPOSE
09:50–10:05 Opening Remarks
10:05–10:25 Welcoming Address
Prof Marshall Sheldon Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Technology Innovation and Partnerships
Prof Chris Nhlapo CPUT Vice-Chancellor
SESSION 2 INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALISATION
10:25–10:30 Introduction to Session Speaker
10:30–10:50 KEYNOTE ADDRESS 1
NIPMO Empowering Innovation: Leveraging Technology and Innovation for SDG Impact: Success Stories from South Africa
10:50–11:00 Q & A
Dr Marlin Fransman Manager: Technology Transfer Office
Ms Jetane Charsley Head: National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSI)
SESSION 3 FROM CURIOSITY TO EXCELLENCE
11:25–11:30 Introduction to Session Speaker
11:30–11:50 KEYNOTE ADDRESS 2
The future of research and innovation in South Africa, and the role of national research systems in supporting societal transformation
11:50–12:00 Q & A
Ms Pumza Makaula Manager: Grants
Dr Gugu Moche
Acting Deputy CEO: Research, Innovation, Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA) National Research Foundation (NRF)
SESSION 4
CELEBRATING CPUT’S RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
12:00–13:10 Current Research Chairs
Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI)
Prof Marshall Sheldon DVC: RTIP
Prof Jeanine Marnewick CPUT Research Chair: Biotechnology
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RESEARCH FESTIVAL 2025
Research with Purpose:
Grounding Innovation in African Realities
PROGRAMME Tuesday, 28 October 2025
PROGRAMME FACILITATOR Dr Esti Venske
SARETEC AUDITORIUM, SACKS CIRCLE, BELLVILLE
Centre for Sustainable Oceans (CSO) Dr Conrad Sparks (Interim Chair)
Energy Institute
Centre for Water and Sanitation Research (CWSR)
Department of Teacher Professional Development, Faculty of Education
Global Institute for Teacher Education and Society (GITES)
Professional Education Research Institute (PERI)
South African Medical Research Council/CPUT Cardiometabolic Health Research Centre
CPUT Research Chair: Oceans Economy
Prof Mohammed Tariq Kahn
CPUT Research Chair: Energy
Prof Bongani Ncube
NRF–WRC SARChI Research Chair: Governance and Economics for Water and Sanitation Sector Institutions
Prof Nothemba Joyce Nduna
ETDP SETA WIL Research Chair: Work-Integrated Learning in TVET Colleges
Prof Zayd Waghid (Interim Chair)
NRF SARChI Research Chair: Teacher Education
Prof Chris Winberg
NRF SARChI Research Chair: Work-Integrated Learning
Prof Glenda Davison (Interim Chair)
NRF–Nedbank SARChI Research Chair: Cardiometabolic Health
13:10–14:30 Lunch Break Lunch Networking Exhibitions
14:30–14:45 Announcement of New NRF SARChI Chairs: Prof Marshall Sheldon DVC: RTIP
SESSION 5
RESEARCH AWARDS CEREMONY
Prof Dina Burger Director: Directorate Research Development
14:45–15:30 National Science and Technology Forum Awards (South32): Water Research Commission Award
Higher Education Resource Services South Africa (HERS-SA) – Higher Education Women Leaders Awards (HEWLA) – Trailblazer
Prof Bongani Ncube
NRF Award: Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers Mr Avela Sogoni
PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES TO RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARDS
15:30–15:40 CLOSING AND THANKS
Prof Marshall Sheldon DVC: RTIP
Prof Dina Burger Director: DRD
Scan the QR code to download the programme
RESEARCH FESTIVAL 2025
Research with Purpose: Grounding Innovation in African Realities
PROGRAMME Tuesday, 28 October 2025
PROGRAMME FACILITATOR Dr Esti Venske
SARETEC AUDITORIUM, SACKS CIRCLE, BELLVILLE
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MS JETANE CHARSLEY
Ms Jetane Charsley is the Head of the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO), a specialised service delivery unit within the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). In this role, Ms Charsley leads NIPMO in implementing the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (IPR Act), ensuring that intellectual property (IP) from public research contributes positively to society and the economy. She plays a key role in guiding national strategies for intellectual property and innovation, supporting South Africa’s research and development efforts.
NIPMO’s responsibilities include legal interpretations related to the IPR Act, engaging with publicly funded researchers and innovators, managing the database of publicly financed IP, and overseeing the South African Survey of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer at Publicly Funded Research Institutions. Additionally, Ms Charsley chairs the Research and Development (R&D) Tax Incentive Committee, a position she has held since 2021. The R&D tax incentive promotes scientific and technological advancements by encouraging both local and foreign companies to invest in R&D within South Africa, thereby enhancing innovation and economic growth.
Ms Charsley joined the Department of Science and Innovation in 2012 as Deputy Director: IP Attorney and was later promoted to Director before becoming Head in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a Bachelor of Law (LLB), and is registered as a patent attorney, a pharmacist and an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa.
Her expertise spans law, science and innovation, with a deep commitment to intellectual property advocacy that extends across South Africa. Ms Charsley is dedicated to ensuring that the benefits of publicly funded research are realised throughout the country.
Outside of her professional role, Ms Charsley is a mother of two energetic toddlers and a coffee enthusiast. She balances her career with a passion for fostering IP awareness and innovation across South Africa, engaging with stakeholders to promote the importance of intellectual property in advancing research and technological development.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DR GUGU MOCHE
Dr Gugu Moche currently serves as the Group Executive: Digital Transformation at the National Research Foundation (NRF) and is also the Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer for Research, Innovation and Impact Support and Advancement (RIISA).
Before joining the NRF, Dr Moche held a range of academic and academic management positions both locally and internationally. Having spent a number of years as a scholar abroad, she obtained a PhD in Pure Mathematics from Howard University in Washington DC, where her research focused on Topological Semigroups. She is a member of both the South African Mathematical Society and the American Mathematical Society.
Her academic career has included lecturing in the Department of Mathematical Sciences in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at the University of South Africa, as well as in the Departments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC, where she served as Adjunct Faculty.
Over the years, Dr Moche has also held a number of senior leadership roles, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning; Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Technology; Deputy Executive Dean; Director of the School of Science; and Dean of Academic Affairs at various universities. In these capacities, she has led and implemented numerous strategic initiatives aimed at transforming institutional practices and advancing innovative approaches to teaching, learning and research.
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