We have invited research institutions, public and private organisations to exhibit at PRIS 2026 which will be hosted at Coastlands Hotel Musgrave, Durban. Exhibitors will be allocated an exhibition table to showcase what their organizations has to offer. This event will give postgraduate students, academics, researchers and the public at large, the opportunity to learn more about what your organization has to offer. The event will also serve as a networking platform for postgraduates, researchers and external stakeholders.
Professor and Environmental Sociologist in the Department of Sociology, UCT.
Frank Matose is professor and environmental sociologist in the Department of Sociology, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
His research focuses on the political ecology of conservation, collaborative forest management, and commons governance in Africa. His current research project is titled Resilient and Equitable Nature-based Pathways in Southern African Rangelands (REPAiR).
His latest book is titled: Forests and the power of Marginalised People in Southern Africa: Politics of Chronic Liminality, James Currey (2025). He recently co-published Reclaiming African Environmentalism: Ecological Struggles for Wellbeing and Habitability, with Lesley Green, Anselmo Matusse and Nikiwe Solomon, HSRC Press: Cape Town (2025) and The Violence of Conservation in Africa with Maano Ramutsindela and Tafadzwa Mushonga (2022).
He serves on the advisory board of The Institute for African Alternatives (IFAA). He also serves as an interim of chair of the Advisory Committee of the Collaborating for Resilience (CoRe) and an affiliate editor of World Development.
Full Professor in the Discipline of Chemical Engineering at UKZN
Full Professor in the Discipline of Chemical Engineering at UKZN, where he also received his BSc Eng, MSc Eng and PhD degrees. He joined the Institution in 2013 as a lecturer and ascended to the position of Full Professor in 2024.
He was the Academic Leader for Chemical Engineering from 2019 to 2026 and is currently the uMngeni-uThukela Water Chair in Water Resources Research and Innovation, and the African Rainbow Minerals Chair in Sustainable Engineering and Process Intensification.
As an academic, his research interests are in catalysis and chemical reaction engineering, specifically process intensification in reactor technology with a focus on the development and application of advanced materials for more efficient and environmentally benign reaction and separation systems.
Durban-Based Vocalist , Composer and a Traditional Instrumentalist.
Durban-based vocalist , composer and a traditional instrumentalist. Dlamini, who hails from the Natal South Coast and comes from a musical family, is known for her distinctive style, as showcased in her previous album, “Ulimilam.” In her reflections, Dlamini draws on South Africa’s complex history, noting the contrast between the hopeful songs of the past and the current challenges faced by many.
She highlights the role of music in advocating for peace and social justice, and how it served as a platform for expressing a vision of unity during times of political struggle she continues to use her music to foster understanding and promote a cohesive culture.
Storyteller and Photographer based in CPT.
Kiara Worth is a storyteller and photographer based in Cape Town, South Africa, known for her work in sustainability activism and international negotiations. She has a background in political science and agriculture, and she covers topics such as climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable development in her photography and writing.
Kiara has been featured in major publications like the New York Times and The Guardian, and she has worked as a photo-journalist in Papua New Guinea, using her stories to communicate sustainability issues.
The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, together with the UKZN Foundation, extends sincere appreciation for your continued support. Your generosity strengthens our commitment to academic excellence, innovative research, and student success.
28 – 29 October | 08:00 – 17:00 | Coastlands Musgrave Hotel, Durban
The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) has been hosting this conference highlighting postgraduate research since 2013.
The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science hosted its 14th Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium (PRIS) on 27th and 28th November at the Coastlands Hotel, Musgrave – the second off-campus edition of this event. This year’s theme centred on Energy Sustainability. Approximately 400 delegates attended, and 181 students from all five Schools presented their research in oral or flash presentation sessions.