UCT shines at science and technology awards

Making a difference: Prof Doug Butterworth won an NSTF award for his contributions to science and technology, one of three picked up by UCT at the 23 May ceremony. (Photo by Prof Kit Vaughan)

Keeping up a proud tradition, UCT scholars picked up some plum prizes at the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards for 2006, presented in Johannesburg on 23 May.

Professor Doug Butterworth of the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics netted the category-A award for contributions over a lifetime, UCT's fourth successive win in this category. In addition, Professor Pragasen Pillay of the Department of Electrical Engineering walked off with the TW Kambule Award for senior black researchers over the past five to 10 years (category H), and Dr Heidi Segal of the Division of Medical Microbiology was named as the winner of the TW Kambule Award for distinguished young black researchers over the past two to five years (category J).

The NSTF awards, now in its ninth year, honours individuals and organisations in 13 categories for their outstanding contributions towards scientific, engineering and technological development. The awards spring from a partnership between the National Research Foundation, the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, Eskom and BHP Billiton.

A number of other UCT researchers were also in the running for accolades. Professor Johann Lutjeharms was UCT's second nominee in category A, while Professor Timm Hoffman, Professor Dan Stein, category-H winner Pillay and Dr Virna Leaner were finalists in other categories.