Prof Learnmore Kambizi, a senior lecturer in the Horticultural Sciences Department, was recently recognized for his consistent outstanding research and awarded a C3 rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF). The NRF rating system is a key driver in the foundation’s aim to build a globally competitive science system in South Africa and the ratings are allocated based on a researcher’s recent research outputs and impact as perceived by international peer reviewers. The CPUT Bulletin sat down with Kambizi to discuss this latest development in his professional journey.
What is your area of research?
My research area of interest is Ethnobotany , specifically medicinal plant research. Ethnobotany refers to the study of plants and their practical uses through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people.
Why the interest in this area?
I am a botanist and one of the key areas that I like is Plant Physiology, under which synthesis of active compounds fall. These are used for many purposes but more specifically their application in herbal medicine and their importance in providing primary healthcare to Africans in the advent of high prices of modern drugs. Sustainable utilisation and conservation of these medicinal plants form the thrust of my research because it is vital that our communities continue to enjoy the usage of these highly valuable plants without fearing that they would be threatened, endangered or face extinction.
What does this new NRF rating mean to you professionally?
This new rating to me clearly demonstrates that I am not static in terms of research since the last time I was rated, and it encourages me to publish high quality outputs in high impact journals/outlets. As I conduct my research, I am also supervising PhD and Masters’ students thereby imparting cutting-edge skills to the next generation of researchers. Since the evaluation is made by local and international peers, this rating has identified me to be counted among the leaders in my field of expertise and has given me recognition for constantly producing high quality research outputs. Moreover, it opens more avenues for possible collaboration at national and international levels besides creating opportunities to attract external funds which are quite beneficial to CPUT.
What does this rating mean to you personally?
It influences my professional growth as I contribute positively to the society around me. Furthermore, it demonstrates that I have the much-needed support from my university without which this rating would have been unachievable.
How does the recognition from the NRF drive the research agenda at an institution like CPUT?
The recognition from NRF puts CPUT on the map because this rating is used as a valuable tool for benchmarking the quality of our researchers against the best in the world. The more rated researchers we have at CPUT the better. Surely it encourages our designated authority that as a university, we are not only focused on teaching and community service, but that we also take research seriously for the benefit our society.
