Solving global challenges and crises

Wits has a number of research entities that are exploring new ideas across a range of disciplines that aim to address critical global challenges. Some of the solutions lie at the intersection of sustainable development and digital innovation. Our ambition is to find solutions that will ensure that Africa rises to the challenges of the 21st Century.

Projects:

Wits H₂O Institute

The Wits Water Institute takes a post-disciplinary, society-centred approach to water research, bringing together academics from diverse backgrounds to tackle complex water challenges. Wits H₂O aims to play a significant role in advising the South African water sector, government and industry in order to guide everyone through a period of intense challenges over next 50 years. Most critically, the institute centres around people in the water cycle, whilst conducting blue sky, applied and public-facing water research, resulting in non-partisan, independent research to inform evidence-based policy and engagement with civil society, industry and government.

Developing future mines and minerals to power the low-carbon economy

• The Wits Future Mines and Minerals Centre will drive the development of new mining technologies and appropriate public policy that facilitates the extraction of the minerals that will drive future low carbon economies.

Placing Wits at the forefront of the zero-emission Hydrogen economy

• Utilising our broad multidisciplinary expertise spread across engineering, science, economics, business and law, the Chair in Green Hydrogen will grapple with the deployment of green hydrogen as a new zero-emission energy carrier.

Managing the transition to a low-carbon future