The University of Venda’s Faculty of Science, Engineering, and Agriculture proudly celebrates the outstanding milestone of Dr Rabelani Mudzielwana, a senior lecturer in the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, who received a Y2 National Research Foundation (NRF) Rating. The Y2 rating recognises emerging researchers under 40 for their high-quality, impactful research output and acknowledges their strong trajectory towards becoming internationally recognised scholars.
The rating outcome complements Dr Mudzielwana’s nomination and participation in a prestigious Department of Higher Education and Training Future Professors Programme (FPP), Phase 2 Cohort 2, hosted by the University of Johannesburg. The FPP programme is designed to cultivate a new generation of academic leaders who demonstrate exceptional potential to make significant contributions to research, teaching, innovation, and societal development.
Dr Mudzielwana has demonstrated growing academic leadership through his research, which addresses critical environmental challenges by developing advanced materials for water and wastewater treatment, water quality analysis and management, and environmental pollution remediation. His research is funded by various agencies, including the National Research Foundation, the Water Research Commission, the Sasol Foundation, and GEF small grants from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). So far, Dr Mudzielwana has published over 40 peer-reviewed research articles in Department of Higher Education and Training-accredited journals and has also presented at numerous national and international conferences. As part of human capital development, He has supervised 9 MSc and 2 PhD students to completion.
Dr Mudzielwana is a proud alumnus of the University of Venda, and a typical example of the “ grow your own timber project”. He obtained all his qualifications from the University of Venda and became recognised as an emerging researcher and academic within the institution. In addition, he continues to support the University’s mission of producing graduates who are locally relevant and globally competitive.
The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Professor Natasha Potgieter and the entire faculty executives, together with the DVC: Research and Postgraduate students, Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, and the Director of Research and Innovation, Professor Jabulani Makhubele, congratulate Dr Mudzielwana on joining the elite community of Univen NRF-rated Researchers.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
