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Congratulations are in order for Professor Sunday Babalola, a Walter Sisulu University (WSU) research academic, on his C2 NRF rating for 2022-2027. The National Research Foundation(NRF) is a government research and science development agency, which supports and encourages research through funding human resource development and research facilities that help facilitate knowledge creation and development.
Prof Babalola started his research career as an Assistant Lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria in 1995. He rose to the post of Professor in 2011 before moving to the University of Namibia in March 2012 as a coordinator of the Psychology Unit. He holds a Ph.D degree in Psychology with immense teaching, research, and administrative experience in the university system. Prof Babalola is also a Nigerian Psychological Association member, African Society for the Psychological study of social science issues, a Social Science Academy of Nigeria member, South African Board for people practice.
He was a member of the senate of the University of Venda. His research activities have earned international recognition in his field of study. He has published more than 70 articles in peer-reviewed international journals and conference presentations in more than 20 years of his academic year.
“It is an honor that I am one of the rated researchers in WSU. It is gratifying that one is doing well in academics, that one’s work is recognised as having a potential to impact positively. I am happy for advancing societal knowledge” said Babalola
“Individual academics, as well as university administration, aspire to maintain an interest in NRF ratings. Encouraging academics to apply for a rating teaches them the importance of focusing on a particular topic, allowing them to concentrate on their unique, distinctive research activity. Evaluation of this type of activity may be a useful tool for enhancing the quality of education and outcomes, such as publications and students. I am certain that by focusing on a post-graduate production, the institution is on the correct course to thrive in quality research output” he added.
Prof Babalola is the Professor of Management for the Faculty of Management Sciences in Butterworth Campus.
By Mandlakazi Khekhezwa
