What we did in 2024
- Wits University
Our research impacted humans, animals and machines, while our students’ side hustles drove innovation, and our scholars deepened our knowledge.
In the second year of implementation of the Wits 2033 Strategic Plan, we have achieved much in advancing academic excellence; enabling social impact; fostering a shared identity; and ensuring our sustainability.
Wits in 60 Seconds Recap 2024
Research that matters
Wits academics continued to conduct pioneering and innovative high-quality research and have published in leading journals, particularly around the Sustainable Development Goals.
Some of the research that attracted substantial attention included a search for a meteorite, the reimagining of a TB vaccine, and an affordable AI device to monitor air pollution hotspots in real-time, amongst others.
The Wits Rhisotope Project entered a new testing phase with the insertion of radioisotopes into 20 live rhinoceros to combat poaching.
A robot, a human and an animal walk into a hub...
The newly launched Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute is a space where great minds will unleash the power of natural and artificial intelligence to build ethical, safe and inclusive AI in Africa, for the world.
From idea to innovate to impact
In its second year of existence, the Wits Innovation Centre has grown from strength to strength, securing 13 patents for, among others, breakthroughs in neural tissue regeneration, solar energy optimisation, and treatments for cancer and ageing.
Homegrown PecoPower, a trailblazer in sustainable energy solutions, delivered the first PowerBrick™(s) to the Nomzamo Agricultural Village in Mpumalanga as it launched its new Rent-to-Own Electricity and Champion Model.
Several innovation and entrepreneurship hubs launched this year, including the WBS’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, Wits Entrepreneurship Clinic, the Fintech Hub, and the E-Hub – the 雷速体育_雷速体育直播 Entrepreneurship Hub.
More than a building, so much more...
Opening to the public this February 2025 is the new the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome, a world-class multidisciplinary facility of infinite possibilities that will forever change how South Africans teach, research, and engage with science, technology, business, sport, the humanities and the arts.
Speaking of buildings...
The Wits Crucible in Marshalltown now serves as a hub for creativity and innovation. The nearly off-grid solar farm at the Wits Rural Campus demonstrates our commitment to sustainability and the proceeds of the development of the University's Frankenwal property will support the academic project. Wits also spearheaded the R100 million expansion of the Wits Roy McAlpine Burns Unit at Baragwanath Hospital, which opened in August.
And our revamped Flower Hall gained international recognition for its sustainable design.
At the centre of success is our people
Political theorist Professor Achille Mbembe is named 2024 Holberg Prize Laureate. Our researchers won in six out of 15 categories at the NSTF-South 32 Research Awards. Several Witsies were honoured by the South African Medical Research Council.
The South African Royal Society, the South African Chemical Institute, ASSAf, the NRF, the Geological Society of South Africa, and at the 2024 NIHSS Awards, amongst others.
We also celebrated Harry Saner, a Wits student, who represented South Africa in fencing at the Olympics, and the Wits Rugby team who clinched the 2024 Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge title. Our students excelled at the inaugural Innovathon Challenge with the EcoCane Innovation winning R200 000 in seed money to advance their eco-friendly bioplastic solution.