Stellenbosch University`s research community includes people with exceptional talent and innovative ideas, who deliver excellent research with relevant outcomes. It includes people who are able to influence decision-making processes, who make direct contributions to improve the lives of people, who`s innovations has led to new technological developments, and who`s new concept developments have led to more sustainable practices.
Through our research chairs and centres of excellence, we are enabled to vigorously pursue research excellence and the development of local and global capacity. It allows for the development of SU as a leader on the African Continent and as a preferred knowledge partner. SU currently hosts 21 research chairs within the South African Chair Initiative (SARChI), funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and a growing number of other endowed research chairs. SU hosts 9 centres of excellence - the most in South Africa.
Our distinguished professors are top researchers who have reached the pinnacle of achievement in their university careers, who have international stature in their particular field, proven exceptional performance and leadership in higher education in research and publications, postgraduate study leadership, learning and teaching and community interaction. Currently, there are 38 distinguished professors at SU.
Stellenbosch University is very proud of its NRF rated researchers. The evaluation and rating of individual researchers is a peer review system used by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to measure the quality of research outputs over a period of 8 years. The evaluation is undertaken by national and international reviewers who are requested to critically scrutinise the research done during the assessment period. Stellenbosch University currently has 509 NRF rated researchers.