Research and Innovation

Professor José Frantz is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation.

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has over the past few years steadily become one of South Africa’s research-led teaching and learning universities, with the capacity to produce and advance new knowledge in areas of recognised research strength and the translation of this knowledge through innovative endeavours.

The Office of the DVC: Research and Innovation core functions are to:

• Strengthening postgraduate offerings and exploring options for expanding the programme and qualification mix (PQM)
• Sustaining an enabling research environment that promotes research
• Maintaining a critical mass of strong, productive researchers
• Establishing and sustaining strong, strategic, and mutually beneficial research partnerships
• Growing and strengthening UWC’s postgraduate culture and support to postgraduate students
• Continuing to build and strengthen its innovation capacity

Office of the DVC: Research and Innovation

Professor José Frantz - NRF C-rated Researcher (2019-2024)
Position: DVC: Research and Innovation

Ms Juliet Lesch
Position: Personal Assistant and Office Coordinator
email address: jlesch@uwc.ac.za 

Dr Thabile Sokupa
Position: Director - Special Projects

Ms Althea George
Position: Manager - Grants and Finances

Research Support Unit Heads

Dr Clement Nyirenda
Position: Director - eResearch Office (ERO)
email address: cnyirenda@uwc.ac.za  

Dr Fikile Vilakazi
Position: Director - Gender Equity Unit (GEU)
email address: fvilakazi@uwc.ac.za   

Dr Shirlene Neerputh
Position: Director - UWC Library Services
email address: sneerputh@uwc.ac.za

Prof Rachael Jesika Singh
Position: Director - Research Development and Postgraduate Support
email address: rjsingh@uwc.ac.za 

Dr Noluthando Mayedwa
Position: Deputy Director - Research & Development for Research Development and Postgraduate Support  Office (RDPS)
email address: nmayedwa@uwc.ac.za 

Prof Mosa Selepe
Position: Deputy Director - Postgraduate Studies and Ethics Officer for Research Development and Postgraduate Support Office (RDPS)
email address: bselepe@uwc.ac.za 

Dr Ana Casanueva
Position: Director - Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
email address: acasanueva@uwc.ac.za  

Professor Julian May - NRF C-rated Researcher (2022-2027)
Position: Director - DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security
email address: jmay@uwc.ac.za



Click here to browse through UWC's current NRF rated reseachers (as at 4 July 2023)

UWC'S NRF SARChI Chairs   UWC Research Chairs   

Contact us

Email: dvcresearch-innovation@uwc.ac.za
Tel: +27 (0)21 959 4057

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