The annual Stellenbosch University (SU) Research and Innovation Excellence Awards took place at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) on 30 October 2025, where several members of the Faculty of Engineering were among this year’s awardees. The event celebrated researchers, innovators, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students from across the University for their exceptional contributions to advancing SU’s research and innovation enterprise.

Within the Engineering Faculty, the 15 awardees exemplify SU’s commitment to research that makes a measurable difference in society and reflect the faculty’s expertise and enduring contribution to SU’s strategic theme of Research for Impact.

The Faculty of Engineering awardees are:

• Prof Richard Walls (Civil Engineering) - Research for Impact
  Recognised for his outstanding work in fire engineering.
• Institute for Biomedical Engineering, led by Prof Kristiaan Schreve - DVC Interdisciplinary/Group Performance Award
• Prof Sara Grobbelaar (Industrial Engineering) - Women in Research Award
• Prof Andries Engelbrecht (Industrial Engineering and Computer Science) - Established Researcher Award
• Dr André David Valkenburg (Chemical Engineering) - Postgraduate Student Award
• Postgraduate Supervision Awards: A remarkable seven members of the Faculty were recognised for exceptional postgraduate supervision, having successfully delivered three or more doctoral graduates in the December 2024 and March 2025 graduation cycles:
  • Prof Thinus Booysen (Electronic Engineering)
  • Prof Johann Görgens (Chemical Engineering)
  • Prof Sara Grobbelaar (Industrial Engineering)
  • Prof Herman Kamper (Electronic Engineering)
  • Prof Jan van Vuuren (Industrial Engineering)
  • Prof Rong-Jie Wang (Electronic Engineering)
  • Prof Herman Kamper (Electronic Engineering)
• Dr Willie Smit (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering) - Technology Transfer and Innovation Award
• Prof Josua Meyer (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering) - A-rated Researcher
  Honoured for maintaining his NRF A-rating for a second term, a distinction reserved for researchers recognised by international peers as leaders in their fields.
• Prof Johann Görgens (Chemical Engineering) - Research Output Award
• Dr Andrew Christopher Way (Chemical Engineering) - DVC Top 7 Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Research in the Engineering Faculty addresses complex, real-world challenges in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing, energy and the environment. These awards are a testament to the dedication, innovation and leadership of our faculty members, as well as to the collective effort that strengthens the faculty’s role in shaping a sustainable and knowledge-driven future.

Congratulations to all our awardees and nominees on this well-deserved recognition!

• Click here to view the full list of Research Award Winners.