World-leading nanotechnology hub launched

“WE NEED TO MULTIPLY EXCELLENCE AND STOP CELEBRATING MEDIOCRITY CONSTANTLY.” DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR TEBELLO NYOKONG, A GLOBALLY RECOGNISED EXPERT IN NANOTECHNOLOGY, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE STATE-OF-THE-ART TEBELLO NYOKONG INSTITUTE FOR NANOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION IN MAKHANDA IN DECEMBER 2024.

ABOUT THE TEBELLO NYOKONG INSTITUTE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION The R90-million facility, hosted by Rhodes University and led by Distinguished Prof Nyokong, represents a ground-breaking step for scientific research in Africa. It houses world-class scientific instruments and fosters collaborations with researchers globally. The new Tebello Nyokong Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation building hosts high-end, state-of-the-art technology and purpose-built research facilities to advance nanotechnology research. Nanotechnology is a field of science and engineering that focuses on designing and manufacturing minute devices and structures on the scale of atoms. The facility was designed to support African researchers through scholarships and international collaborations and has already cemented its role as a driving force in Africa’s scientific development. Distinguished Prof Tebello Nyokong, a globally recognised expert in nanotechnology, leads the Institute. VICE-CHANCELLOR PROFESSOR SIZWE MABIZELA SHARES INSIGHTS It is a “one-stop shop for innovation” and the first on the continent. It focuses on cutting-edge research areas, including nanomaterials for drug delivery, water purification, sensor development for detecting diseases and outbreaks, and a non-invasive alternative to chemotherapy. “The Nyokong Institute will continue to build on the formidable intellectual power and global networks developed over the years, shaping the future of African science.” ABOUT DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR NYOKONG Distinguished Professor Nyokong is an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Royal Society. She serves on the Pontifical Academy of Science. She has six honorary degrees, three from international universities, and is the recipient of the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her outstanding scientific contributions. Distinguished Professor Nyokong has supervised 71 PhD and 64 master’s graduates. She has also written four books and 1,000 journal articles. She is researching a new cancer diagnosis and treatment methodology called photodynamic therapy, an alternative to chemotherapy. Others comment At the launch, Prof Kenneth Ozoemena, a former student and collaborator, praised Distinguished Prof Nyokong as “a mentor you cannot avoid learning from.” Dr Iain L’Ange, who witnessed the Institute’s journey from a research group to a premier facility, described it as “not just a place for research, but a space for redefining what is possible.” Dr Gugu Moche of the National Research Foundation echoed this sentiment, highlighting the Institute’s potential to “enhance South Africa’s research capabilities and explore Nobel frontiers in technology.” “Many of our students, carrying the legacy of the Nyokong Institute, now benchmark their world-class experience without needing to leave the African continent.” ABOUT DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR NYOKONG

• Distinguished Professor Nyokong is an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Royal Society.
• She serves on the Pontifical Academy of Science. She has six honorary degrees, three from international universities and is the recipient of the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her outstanding scientific contributions.
• Distinguished Professor Nyokong has supervised 71 PhD and 64 master’sgraduates. She has also written four books and 1,000 journal articles. She is researching a new cancer diagnosis and treatment methodology called photodynamic therapy, an alternative to chemotherapy.