by Phaphama Tshisikhawe
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is proud to announce the selection of Dr Kelly Marnewick and Dr Carmen Myrna Leonard to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Future Professors Programme. This highly competitive national initiative aims to nurture and advance a next generation professoriate, generating knowledge embedded in local challenges, connected globally.
The FPP is designed to enhance participants’ academic leadership, research skills, teaching excellence and community engagement. It aims to nurture the next generation of professors, equipping them with the tools needed to navigate the evolving landscape of higher education. The Programme also offers an exciting opportunity for participants to develop a dynamic professional identity, capable of managing change and contributing meaningfully to the future of higher education in South Africa.
Speaking on the selection, Dr Marnewick, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Nature Conservation, said: "I am honoured to be selected for the Department of Higher Education and Training's Future Professors Programme. This opportunity strengthens my commitment to building research networks and expanding capacity for evidence-based wildlife management, particularly in the conservation of large carnivores. I look forward to advancing impactful research and fostering collaborative solutions in higher education."
Sharing her sentiments, Dr Leonard, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said: “My heart is filled with gratitude and I am extremely blessed, knowing that although this honour has been bestowed on me, I am standing on the shoulders of giants that have gone before me. I commit to not only embracing this opportunity for myself, but also to provide opportunities for others through capacity building, mentorship and supervision during this 24-month journey.
Dr Kelly Marnewick
She added: “I will continue to work on combating antibiotic resistance by offering natural alternatives to this global issue. I am excited! I am ready! I can’t wait for the journey to begin in 2025.”
The University congratulates Dr Kelly Marnewick and Dr Carmen Myrna Leonard and wishes them a prosperous and rewarding 24 months as they embark on this remarkable journey.
Dr Carmen Leonard