Nelson Mandela University Office of Research Development

Nelson Mandela University Office of Research Development Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Nelson Mandela University Office of Research Development, Summerstrand Campus (South), 13th Floor, Room 1314, Main Building, Port Elizabeth.

The Office of Research Development (RD) focuses its activities around the development of researchers, in addition to rendering financial assistance to postgraduate and postdoctoral candidates.

3MT (3-Minute Thesis) on Day 3 of Research & Innovation Week 2026!The 3MT Competition gives PhD students are given...
02/09/2026

3MT (3-Minute Thesis) on Day 3 of Research & Innovation Week 2026!

The 3MT Competition gives PhD students are given three minutes to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance. It challenges them to consolidate their ideas and research findings so they can be presented concisely to a non-specialist audience.

Thank you to our programme director, Dr Nehemiah Latolla, our judges, Prof Andre Keet, Prof Robin Banerjee, Prof Amanda van den Berg, and Dr Priscilla Mensah, and to our Samkele Monakali, Andi Isni Pujirana,Fundile Sindy Nyaweni, Zenande Pali, Marvelous Mudanganyi, Chantalle Coetzee, Zona Ndamase, Salma Hassa Babikir, Steve Ge**er, Semola Kabelo Mojapelo, Joshua Jacobs, Qhawe Nkulueko Mbongwe, Arnold Mutubuki, Masivuye Mahleba, Oyama Soga, Lorah Dzimwasha, Murungi Isaac Baguma, and Yanelisa Ndatshe.

nGAP Seminar on Day 2 of Research & Innovation Week 2026! Mr Jacques Welgemoed from the Department of Mechatronics...
02/09/2026

nGAP Seminar on Day 2 of Research & Innovation Week 2026!

Mr Jacques Welgemoed from the Department of Mechatronics Engineering here at NMU gave the lecture 'Beyond the Battlefield: Repurposing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Technology for South African Challenges', showing a variety of projects he has worked on and the deliverables involved, including several prototypes. UAVs are autonomous aerial vehicles, known more commonly as drones, with the examples provided giving evidence that technology originally built for the military can have a variety of applications in a multitude of different situations. Thank you to Prof Farouk Smith, the moderator for the event, Mr Jacques Welgemoed for his lecture, and Mr Damian Mooney, the discussant for the Q&A session.

The nGAP (New Generation of Academics Programme) is a Department of Higher Education (DHET) initiative, which began in 2016 through the University Capacity Development Programme at Nelson Mandela University.

The Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy (MURA) Research Presentations 2026 continue! Our MURA students presente...
28/08/2026

The Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy (MURA) Research Presentations 2026 continue! Our MURA students presented a number of fascinating research topics from a variety of fields. We hope that they will continue to display the rigour and passion for their work in their postgraduate journeys and beyond.

Thank you to our facilitator, Ms Yolanda Mngcongo, the Director of the Office of Research Development, Dr Priscilla Mensah, and our MURA students who presented today: Arinao Thahale, Andiswa Collin Mbatha, Abigail Coetzee, Asemahle Magida, Favour Oluchukwu Melariri, Andile Mtili, Mahlatse Letswalo, Sinamandla Naka, Fortunate Tebatso Mphogo, and Lisakhanya Noqala.

Today brings with it the Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy (MURA) Research Presentations 2026! A variety of u...
28/08/2026

Today brings with it the Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy (MURA) Research Presentations 2026! A variety of undergraduate students have been given the opportunity to present their research in a safe, naturing space. We are proud of our students for the progress they have made in their academic careers, and we hope they continue to grow as scholars and researchers.

Thank you to our facilitators, Dr Latolla Nehemiah and Ms Yolanda Mngcongo, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Prof Azwinndini Muronga, and our MURA students who presented today: Summer Currie, Khanyisile Gcabashe, Isango Sabelwe Vilana, Bashenne Mogau Dibakwane, Amy Reed, Akho Plaatjie, Elethu Blayi, and Qhawekazi Mpotsha.

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Mahlatse LetswaloBA Business Managem...
27/08/2026

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Mahlatse Letswalo

BA Business Management and English | Faculty of Humanities
Host Researcher: Ms Lungisile Magoso

Mahlatse Letswalo is a final-year BA student majoring in Business Management and English. She describes herself as hardworking and passionate about improvement, learning and moving forward - while remaining conscious of the challenges facing communities across South Africa.

Her academic journey is developing a growing interest in English Studies, literacy and communication; particularly the ways language, literacy and storytelling can shape educational opportunities and community development. Outside university, there is also a creative and entrepreneurial side to Mahlatse: she enjoys working as a promoter, brand ambassador and influencer.

Her research maps Artificial Intelligence within student support services in South African higher education, including areas such as counselling and financial aid. She hopes the research can help universities make informed decisions about AI, widen access to essential support services and ultimately strengthen student success.

Mahlatse’s journey shows how communication, creativity and technology can come together in the pursuit of better opportunities for students.

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Khanyisile GcabasheBSc Environmental...
27/08/2026

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Khanyisile Gcabashe

BSc Environmental Sciences | Faculty of Science
Host Researcher: Prof Alastair Potts

Khanyisile Gcabashe is a final-year Environmental Sciences student majoring in Botany and Chemistry. She has a deep passion for understanding plant communities and how they respond to environmental change. When she is away from her academic work, Khanyisile enjoys taking walks in nature and working through her ever-growing reading list.

Her research uses historical aerial imagery to validate satellite-derived maps of recent degradation in the Albany Subtropical Thicket. By comparing historical photographs with contemporary imagery; she is investigating when and where degradation occurred and assessing the accuracy of current mapping.

The evidence generated through her work can contribute to more reliable restoration planning and carbon-accounting initiatives in the region, connecting her interest in plant communities with practical environmental conservation.

Khanyisile’s work shows the value of looking to the past to make better decisions for our environmental future.

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Akho PlaatjieBSc Computer Science | ...
27/08/2026

Mandela Undergraduate Research Academy Profiles (Research & Innovation Week) - Ms Akho Plaatjie

BSc Computer Science | Faculty of Science
Host Researcher: Ms Lungisile Magoso

Akho Plaatjie is a BSc Computer Science student whose interest in machine learning began with a curiosity about how systems such as chatbots are built and integrated into real-world settings. This curiosity drew her towards exploring the growing role of Artificial Intelligence within higher education.

Her research examines user experiences of AI chatbots in higher education through a systematic review. Akho is interested not simply in whether these technologies work, but in how the people using them actually experience them, and what this means for teaching, learning and institutional support.

She believes her findings can help academics, students, librarians and university administrators; better understand both the benefits and risks of AI chatbots and contribute to more responsible, evidence-based decisions about their adoption across higher education.

For Akho, innovation is not only about what technology can do, but how thoughtfully we choose to use it.

Address

Summerstrand Campus (South), 13th Floor, Room 1314, Main Building
Port Elizabeth
6001

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

+27415042538

Website

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