Tumisang Lekgetho, fondly known as “Tumi” or “Luther,” has received the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student Programme Scholarship. A full-time PhD student specialising in catalysis at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science, Lekgetho will spend nine months at Auburn University in Alabama, United States, where Associate Prof Byron H Farnum will host him in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry from October 2025 to June 2026. This international exchange will strengthen his advanced research skills, broaden his academic network and provide access to world-class laboratories in material science and catalysis.
Tumisang Lekgetho will spend nine months at Auburn University in Alabama, United States, as part of the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student Programme Scholarship.
His doctoral research centres on the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics using ZnO, CuO and MoSe2-based heterojunction catalysts. Supported by an NRF PhD scholarship for the period 2024 to 2026, his project addresses urgent environmental challenges by exploring innovative approaches to treating polluted water. This work is directly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6, which aim to ensure good health and well-being, and to provide clean water and sanitation for all, respectively. In line with its vision of producing impactful and transformative research, the Faculty of Science continues to align its scholarly activities with these and other global development imperatives.
Lekgetho’s academic journey has already had a significant impact. He has published two papers in peer-reviewed journals, contributed to a conference proceeding and has three book chapters currently in production. His work has been showcased at 15 conferences, seminars, symposiums, summer schools and nano-schools, where he has earned recognition, including the Best Flash Talk Presentation Award at the National SACI-Young Chemists’ Symposium in 2022 and the Best Poster Presentation Award at the TUT Faculty of Science Research Day in 2021.
In 2023, he also received the Magnus-Enus Bursary to attend the 44th SACI National Convention. Beyond his research output, he is a mentor to junior students and actively supports undergraduate projects, demonstrating leadership and a spirit of collaboration that reflect the Faculty’s commitment to nurturing Future Ready Graduates.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme, which Lekgetho now joins, is one of the most respected academic exchange initiatives in the world. Sponsored by the United States government, it provides opportunities for postgraduate students, young professionals and researchers to study and conduct research at leading universities across the United States. Its purpose is to foster cross-cultural understanding, develop global scientific networks and empower participants to address shared international challenges.
The Fulbright Foreign Student Programme, which Lekgetho now joins, is one of the most respected academic exchange initiatives in the world.
Expressing her pride in this achievement, Prof Ntebogeng Mokgalaka-Fleischmann, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science, commended both Lekgetho and the Department of Chemistry: “This accomplishment is a gold standard of TUT’s motto of Moving from Good to Great. We are immensely proud of this milestone, which reflects the Faculty’s dedication to nurturing Future Ready Graduates who can compete and collaborate on the global stage.”