Researchers and students at the 27^th Annual Research Seminar. 

The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology led by Professor Yali Woyessa, Assistant Dean of Research, Innovation and Engagement, held its 27th annual research seminar under the theme: Advancing Sustainable Innovation: Interdisciplinary Strategies for Addressing Societal Challenges. The seminar aims to address societal challenges and implement interdisciplinary strategies to overcome them.

Topics presented include Ethics, Policy, and Technology; Sustainable Infrastructure and Smart Construction; Renewable Energy System and Climate Change; ICT Innovation for Societal Benefit; Water and Environmental Management and Smart Education and Technology – Enhanced Learning.

Dr Charity Mbileni-Morema, outgoing Chairperson of the Council, entrepreneur and Managing Director of N. M. Envirotech delivered the keynote address at the 27^th Annual FEBIT Research Seminar.

Dr Charity Mbileni-Morema, outgoing Chairperson of Council and Managing Director of N. M. Envirotech delivered the keynote address focusing on Transitioning the innovation economy: from nanotechnology research to industrialisation.

When unpacking her topic, Dr Mbileni-Morema said that it is essential for the products that are conceptualised from the research to be commercialised and made available to industry for the benefit of society. “Industrialisation of these products will do justice to advance sustainable innovation by finding strategies within different professional fields to address the societal challenges that we currently face.

She expressed her gratitude and pride in the institution as she has had the opportunity to serve the university internally and externally which few individuals ever accomplished. “Being able to come back and contribute to the research agenda after my 6-year term as the Chairperson Council fills me with pride because it shows that the institution has faith in me and believes in the quality of my work.”

Prof. Muthoni Masinde, Dean of the Faculty, highlighted the need to not only increase research outputs, but to conduct research that has a meaningful impact in society. “We have initiated a project where we brought the professors together within what they call professionalising the commissariat. We want to change how we teach research methodology and embed artificial intelligence so to equip our students with advanced skills that will assist them to do their research methods and proposals faster.”

In order to guarantee the development of sustainable innovation, Prof. Rangith Baby Kuriakose, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering, provided a summary of the challenges encountered and the tactics they hope to apply for advanced manufacturing and robotics in society. "As we look forward to the arrival of industry 5.0, which emphasises a combination of machines and humans to advance both manufacturing and job security in Africa, our research approach focuses on manufacturing and human machine collaboration."

Dr Percy Andrew Hohne, Senior lecturer: Electrical Engineering, outlined the challenges within climate change and renewable energy systems that communities face such as energy poverty, lack of access to electricity and the impact of climate change on society. He shared the strategies they have implemented to overcome these challenges based on the United Nations (UN) sustainable development goals (SDGs) that include affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities and climate action for advancing sustainable innovation. “Our main goal is to identify renewable energy systems that offer the lowest possible cost on electricity for companies and communities alike. Additionally, we have opened an awareness group with the intention of informing and educating society on the issues and the benefits surrounding affordable electricity.

Associate Professor and researcher Prof. Saheed Oke discussed the goals of water and environmental management in the context of social innovation that is sustainable. "Our study focuses on the management and containment of wastewater plant regiments in the Mangaung region, where we found societal issues like water pollution, especially from wastewater treatment."

He added that water management fits within the overall picture of advancing sustainable innovation because it is one of the United Nations sustainable development goals to have clean water and sanitation “Our research aims to find effective methods to monitor wastewater treatment plants and find proper measures to promote safe water environments and improve water quality because good water quality improves human life, health, and the environment.