Professor Rushiella Songca, Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), has been recognised by the Nexus Global Thought Leaders in the EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus for her leadership and strategic decision-making in advancing the Nexus science enterprise.
The recognition celebrates Professor Songca’s support for the development of programmes and the expansion of partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable outcomes across interconnected energy, water, food and climate systems.
The award was presented to the MUT team on 27 August 2026 by Dr Victor Ibeanusi, on behalf of the Nexus 2026 Team, during the EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus Summit hosted by the Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Ciudad Hidalgo in Michoacán, Mexico.
Presenting the award, Founder of the EWFC, Dr Ibeanusi commended Professor Songca for recognising that complex institutional and societal challenges require integrated and collaborative responses. “Professor Rushiella Songca is receiving this EnergyWaterFoodClimate Nexus recognition because she understands that complex institutional and societal challenges cannot be solved in isolation. They require the same integrated approach promoted by the Nexus: evidence-informed decision-making, interdisciplinary science, innovation, partnerships, public engagement and sustained investment in people,” said Dr Ibeanusi.
The recognition affirms Professor Songca’s commitment to positioning MUT as an engaged, innovative and internationally connected university. Her leadership approach aligns closely with the central principle of the Energy-Water-Food-Climate Nexus: that energy security, water sustainability, food systems and climate resilience are deeply interconnected and cannot be addressed through isolated interventions.
Professor Songca’s recognition therefore honours the institutional environment she continues to cultivate, one in which researchers are encouraged to cross disciplinary boundaries, establish meaningful partnerships and translate knowledge into measurable societal outcomes.