University of Cape Town / Research & libraries > Research Office > Strategic support

Strategic support

Centres of Excellence

In 2004 the University of Cape Town launched two of the first six Centres of Excellence awarded nationwide by the Department of Science and Technology, through the National Research Foundation. The aim of these centres is to act as nodes for research and development in fields identified as strategically important to South Africa.

The centres hosted at UCT include members from universities around South Africa. They enjoy significant student involvement and serve as important research training sites for postgraduate students.

The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Catalysis, c*change

The manufacturing sector is the largest contributor to South Africa's gross domestic product, and chemical manufacturing is the biggest single contributor to this sector. Chemical processing is ripe for targeted innovation initiatives and catalysis lies at the heart of 90 percent of chemical-transformation processes.

Partners

The centre's partners represent the full spectrum of the country's catalysis practitioners, namely the Universities of the Western Cape, North West, North, Stellenbosch, KwaZulu-Natal, Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (formerly RAU) and the Port Elizabeth Technikon.

Scientific goals

Syngas: Focusing on synthetic chemical processing and the conversion of gas to fuels. Comprises research programmes for the Fischer-Tropsch, methanol-to-chemical fuels and "direct" syngas to chemicals routes.
Downstream chemicals: This aims to support the growth of the underdeveloped, small-volume fine and specialty-chemicals sector.

Academic goals

To produce an average of 12 PhD and MSc graduates a year
To undertake an African outreach programme
To develop a cohort of scientists, engineers, technologists and academics and start a collaborative research relationship with at least one African laboratory.

The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Birds as a Key to Biodiversity Conservation

In terms of known biodiversity, South Africa ranks third in the world after Brazil and Indonesia and is unique in that it is home to three biodiversity hotspots - fynbos, succulent Karoo and Pondoland. The centre is hosted at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute.

Partners

The Universities of Pretoria, Stellenbosch and the Witwatersrand, and the Northern Flagship Institution.

Scientific goals

To understand biodiversity by investigating the composition and structure of biodiversity, the processes that generate biodiversity and how relationships between organisms and their environment influence the form and functioning of biological systems.
To conserve biodiversity by assessing, predicting and managing human impacts with an emphasis on understanding the dynamic links that lead to biodiversity loss. The ultimate aim is to develop effective strategies to stem this loss and to discover ways to use components of biodiversity sustainability to the benefit of South Africa.

Academic goals

To increase the number of graduates from the institute's conservation biology programme, as well as postdoctoral and PhD graduates.
To improve the quality of the institute's research outputs.
The Centre of Excellence grant has enabled the Pola Pasvolsky Chair in Conservation Biology to be filled.

Contact us

c*change
Dr Rein Weber
Tel: 021 650 5529

Birds as key to Biodiversity Conservation
Dr Penn Lloyd
Tel: 021 650 4026

Links

c*change