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Growing up amidst the environmental impact of coal mines and power plants sparked Valetine Lindokuhle Mbokane’s lifelong interest in environmental stewardship. This early exposure to air and water pollution, coupled with a natural aptitude for geography in high school, led her to pursue a BSc in Geography and Environmental Management.
The desire to deepen her knowledge further fuelled her decision to pursue an MSc in Environmental Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). “I love the environment and it is my responsibility to take care of it,” Mbokane says.
Proudly South African and with deep local roots, UJ empowers the continent through accessible education. This inclusive institution has over 50,000 students, including 3,000 international scholars from 80 countries, making it a leading university in South Africa’s 26-university system.
Its Faculty of Science exemplifies UJ’s dynamism. Here, cutting-edge research tackles global challenges. From computer science to earth sciences, these accredited programmes across 11 departments are led by well-known academics. Two national research chairs and 12 dedicated centres offer postgraduate students crucial research opportunities.
The Faculty of Science offers accredited qualifications in computer and numerical sciences, earth and life sciences, and chemical and physical sciences. Source: University of Johannesburg
The research areas offered include the Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering, Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Food Technology, Botany and Plant Biotechnology, Chemical Sciences, Geology, Geography, Environmental Management, Energy Studies, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, and Zoology.
For Mbokane, there are two key areas she hopes to make an impact in. The first is environmental pollution, a subject close to home due to her personal experiences. She is particularly interested in the social impact of pollution and actively seeks solutions to curb its devastating effects. The second area of interest is sustainable finance, a relatively new and evolving field within environmental management. Mbokane recognises that environmental solutions require funding and traditional financial models often fall short. Sustainable finance offers a promising approach to bridge this gap and Mbokane is eager to explore its potential.
Mbokane’s current research project merges these two areas. It focuses on green finance for green buildings, specifically investigating the role of financial institutions in this domain, and represents a significant undertaking both personally and professionally.
However, Mbokane doesn’t have to do this alone. The Department of Geography, Environmental Management, and Energy Studies has proven to be a nurturing ground for scores of environmental researchers. It has highly encouraging supervisors who provide students \guidance and support throughout their academic journeys. Just ask Mbokane.
“The department offers one of the best supervisors who are so encouraging and supportive,” she says. “It also offers spaces where one can do their research peacefully, for example, the master’s lab.”
The 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject placed UJ first in South Africa for Material Sciences and second for Chemistry. Source: University of Johannesburg
What’s more, the MSc programme builds a strong foundation for professional development. Students like Mbokane emerge with a diverse skillset encompassing environmental assessments, water quality monitoring, and expertise in sustainable finance. These skills extend to climate change adaptation advisory, waste management, and ESG reporting, making them valuable assets in the environmental consulting field.
For those seeking to push boundaries and dive even deeper, UJ offers PhD programmes that cultivate both independent research and collaboration. Tevin Moodley, a PhD student in Computer Science, exemplifies this pursuit. He skillfully balances research with his role as a tutor. “The allure of research coupled with the opportunity to teach was a defining factor in my decision to join the academic community at the University of Johannesburg,” he says. “Here, I found an environment that fosters innovation and intellectual curiosity, allowing me to explore new frontiers and challenge the status quo.”
Moodley’s current research revolves around advancing Action Quality Assessment (AQA) techniques to evaluate cricket batting strokes. Through his efforts, he aspires to improve cricket coaching by leveraging technology and making a tangible impact on the sport. He also integrates his research findings, such as the latest insights and methodologies, into his teaching. One prime example of this integration is the incorporation of AQA technology into the curriculum.
“My research findings often serve as compelling case studies or examples that illustrate theoretical concepts in a tangible and engaging manner,” he says. “For instance, I use examples from my research on AQA to elucidate topics related to machine learning algorithms or data analysis techniques. This ensures students gain a deeper understanding of the material and its relevance to contemporary issues and challenges.
UJ’s commitment to excellence is reflected in its global rankings. The 2023 Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects ranked UJ first in South Africa for Food Science and Technology, joint first for Earth Sciences, joint second for Geography, and joint third for Physics. The 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) ranked it joint first in South Africa and Africa for Physical Sciences, joint first for Computer Science, and joint third for Life Sciences. The 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject ranked UJ joint first in South Africa for Material Sciences and second in South Africa for Chemistry.
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