Media Invite to the Launch of a Cutting-edge Marine Science Laboratory at WSU

The National Research Foundation (NRF), in collaboration with Walter Sisulu University (WSU), invites members of the media to the launch of a state-of-the-art Rural Coastal Sustainability Laboratory at the university’s Mthatha Campus on 24 January 2024. The facility is made possible through funding by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), under the Joint Marine Laboratories (JML) programme.

A five-year initiative implemented through the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), the JML is intended to bolster marine science research at four historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs); being WSU, University of Zululand (UNIZULU), University of Western the Cape (UWC) and University of Fort Hare (UFH). WSU will become the fourth institution to launch the JML programme’s Rural Coastal Sustainability Laboratory. Launches at the three other institutions happened in 2022 and 2023.

Says NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, “The WSU laboratory launch will be another milestone achieved under the JML programme, which is linked to the NRF-SAIAB African Coelacanth Ecosystem (ACEP) Phuhlisa Programme. In partnership with the DSI, we have been supporting marine science at the four HDIs for over a decade through this bold programme. We have focused on providing funding to ensure infrastructure access at the HDIs. The NRF trusts that the laboratories provided through the JML programme will advance marine research, and also increase the pool of researchers and technicians available to manage and protect South Africa’s marine resources.”

The WSU launch event will be addressed by dignitaries and academics from the NRF, WSU and DSI.

Launch event Details:
Venue: Biological and Environmental Sciences Department, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha Campus, Eastern Cape
Dates: 24 January 2024
Time: 10:00

For attendance enquiries, please contact: Bongani Nkosi, Media Relations Officer, NRF, +27 61 477 3064 b.nkosi@nrf.ac.za; and/or Anita Roji, Communication Officer, WSU, +27 66 281 1349, aroji@wsu.ac.za.