Research Fellow shares two remarkable professional milestones

Dr Babatunde Oladipo of the Department of Chemical Engineering proudly shares two remarkable professional milestones that underscore CPUT's excellence. He has received a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating and has recently been appointed to the Early Career Editorial Board of Process Safety and Environmental Protection (PSEP).

A Y2 rating recognises an early-career researcher as having demonstrated the potential, through recent high-quality research outputs, to establish themselves as a researcher of recognised standing. The Nigerian-born academic says: “It is an important acknowledgement of research quality and future potential and contributes to strengthening CPUT's national and international research profile.”

Oladipo, who developed a strong appreciation for education, hard work, and perseverance from an early age, notes that the PSEP is a leading Elsevier journal in the fields of process safety, environmental protection, and sustainable engineering. He says this appointment recognises emerging researchers who can contribute to the journal's scientific quality and shape its future through editorial and peer-review work. “Beyond being a personal milestone, it enhances CPUT's international visibility and representation within the global research community.”

Coming from a supportive family that emphasised integrity, discipline, and service to society, those values continue to shape his approach to research and professional life, and his academic journey eventually brought him to South Africa, where he completed his doctoral studies at CPUT, and he has continued as a researcher.

“The diverse experiences of studying and working across different environments have strengthened my resilience, broadened my perspective, and reinforced my commitment to conducting research that addresses real-world environmental and engineering challenges.”

The rating boosts Oladipo’s research profile, enhancing opportunities for international collaboration, competitive funding, and leadership in multidisciplinary initiatives. It also increases responsibility to produce high-quality research, co-supervise students, and

address pressing environmental and industrial challenges, ultimately boosting the societal and scientific impact of his work.

“Professionally, the rating serves as an important milestone that validates my research trajectory and motivates me to pursue increasingly ambitious scientific goals. It encourages me to broaden my expertise, strengthen my international research network, develop independent research leadership, and continually improve as both a researcher and mentor. I believe it will also enhance my ability to contribute meaningfully to scientific advancement while supporting the development of future researchers.”

The Research Fellow in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment who enjoys spending quality time with his family, reading, mentoring students, and participating in professional development activities also says his appointment as an Early Career Editorial Board Member of PSEP recognises his expertise and growing contributions to the field. “I will support the journal’s editorial activities by assisting with peer review, promoting scientific quality, and contributing to initiatives that help shape the future direction of the journal.

“It also reflects the increasing international visibility of both my research and CPUT.”

The disciplined, resilient, curious, and collaborative academic who enjoys solving complex engineering problems says meaningful achievements rarely happen overnight; “they are built through consistent effort, resilience, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks”.

“Seek out mentors, collaborate widely, embrace constructive feedback, and always strive to conduct research that creates genuine value for society. Recognition is rewarding, but making a positive impact through your work is even more fulfilling.”

Reflecting on reaching these two milestones in his career, Oladipo notes: “I feel deeply honoured and grateful. While these milestones are personally rewarding, they also remind me that research is a collaborative endeavour. I have benefited greatly from excellent mentors, colleagues, students, collaborators, and institutional support throughout my journey. Rather than viewing these achievements as an endpoint, I see them as motivation to continue striving for excellence and making meaningful contributions through research.”

He has been fortunate to learn from many outstanding academics, but Prof Tunde Ojumu has been his greatest professional inspiration. Ojumu supervised his PhD and currently serves as the Principal Investigator of the SATREPS research project, under which Oladipo conducts his research, among others.

Oladipo says CPUT has provided an excellent environment for research, collaboration, and professional development.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: BoyceAp@cput.ac.za