“Johan Degenaar was an iconic figure who helped shaped thinking – not only at Stellenbosch University (SU) where he taught for many years and did his research, but also further afield.”

This was how Maties Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers responded to news of the passing of Prof Degenaar yesterday (Wednesday 22 Julie 2015). Degenaar, who was 89, was one of South Africa’s most influential philosophers. Having obtained master’s and doctoral degrees from SU, and having also studied at the universities of Groningen, Leiden, Oxford, Berlin and Heidelberg, Degenaar lectured at SU for 42 years until his retirement in 1991. In 2002, Maties bestowed an honorary doctorate on him.

De Villiers said Degenaar’s principled commitment to the pursuit of truth and wisdom opened minds in the Afrikaner and broader South African community at a time when this was desperately needed. “He did not hesitate to criticise the injustices of apartheid – even when that alienated him from many in his own community.

“He also used his formidable talent for philosophy in the analysis of art, literature and especially films – and generously shared his insights with his students, colleagues and the public, enriching the lives of many in the process.”

De Villiers added that Degenaar was a big supporter of rational dialogue to solve problems. “Like Socrates more than 2000 years ago, he continued to look for answers by asking questions in order to stimulate critical thinking and to gain insight in interaction with others. This is something that can be of value to all of us in South Africa – also here at his alma mater.

“Stellenbosch, South Africa – all humankind – has lost a great figure. We will miss him, but his legacy is priceless.”

Prof Anton van Niekerk, Chairperson of the Department of Philosophy and a former colleague of Degenaar, said his passing brings to an end the life of an “undeniable colossus in the history of philosophical reflection in South Africa.

“With Degenaar’s death we lose the symbolisation of one of the most remarkable thinkers any culture can hope to deliver: a Socratic philosopher.

“We are so much richer because of his life and we were able to learn from him, even though he never wanted to hear that he could be able to teach others. He insisted that people should learn via the adventure of the Socratic dialogue.”

Dr Elmarie Costandius of the Visual Arts Department and Prof. Geo Quinot of the Department of Public Law attended the national Teaching Advancement at University (TAU) Fellowship programme presented under the auspices of  the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association (Heltasa) and funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training in Pretoria from the 13^th to the 16^th of July. This was the first of three sessions stretching over 13 months and the following sessions will be presented in Durban and Cape Town. The aim of the programme is to contribute towards the enhancement of teaching and learning in higher education (HE) in South Africa by supporting the development of a cadre of 52 academics across 22 universities and disciplines as scholars, leaders and mentors in teaching and learning in their institutions or disciplinary fields. The objective of the programme is to engage lecturers in a range of projects that seek to address real challenges within HE and in their own institutional contexts.  The session, according to Elmarie and Geo, was a valuable experience because current issues in higher education such as transformation, language and supporting postgraduate research development were discussed. Ihron Rensburg, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg presented a talk on burning issues in South African Higher Education; Nthabiseng Ogude, former VC of Tshwane University of Technology presented a talk titled Institutional Diversity and Differentiation; and Andre van Zyl of the University of Johannesburg's  Academic Development Centre, shared his experience in enhancing student learning and success.

Each TAU participant is expected to work on a group project but also on individual projects aimed at advancement of teaching and learning. In her own TAU project, Elmarie is pursuing action research with the aim of bringing together a team of academics to advance critical citizenship and social justice. These researchers would be interested in gaining insight into what lecturers are doing in their individual courses to address critical citizenship and social justice issues. They do not want to 'force' a specific way of critical citizenship and social justice teaching and learning onto lecturers in a top-down manner; the aim is rather to use the project as an opportunity to find ways of utilising what lecturers are already doing in their teaching and learning practice to expand and enrich the concept of critical citizenship and social justice further. The hope is that, through collaborative discussions between researchers and lecturers and continuous critical reflection by all, a space can be created for dealing with the necessary transformation process at Stellenbosch University. Ultimately, the project aims to gain insight into how critical citizenship and social justice teaching and learning can be enhanced and improved at the various faculties or departments. The project is not merely interested in what is included in curricula to address critical citizenship and social justice, but, in particular, in what can be learnt through processes of critical self-reflection by lecturers, and how they can then put these potential new insights into an evolved practice. An action research methodology will be used in the study.  

Geo's project investigates approaches to collaborative learning in law. It aims to draw on the literature on designing collaborative learning activities in higher education generally and tailor those to the particular conditions of legal education in South Africa in terms of the theoretical framework of Transformative Legal Education on which he has been working over the last few years. Based on that exercise, the project will attempt to design, implement and evaluate an approach to collaborative teaching-learning activities (including assessment) within a particular undergraduate module in the LLB programme as a pilot study. Along this route, the project aims to pave the way for a model that can facilitate design of meaningful collaborative learning and hence the development of students' competence to function within a collaborative setting as a graduate attribute of programmes in legal education and more generally in higher education.

​

The Listen, Live and Learn Initiative is unique to Stellenbosch University. A listening, living & learning house (LLL house) is students living together in a house. Participants have a specific theme for the year and engage in conversation on the theme for the year that they live together. The students in the LLL house are ideally a small diverse group of students from different faculties, gender, race, background and nationality. Each LLL house has a theme for the year. The house hosts a conversation around the theme inviting academics, civil servants, experts and other people to join the conversation in the house.

The Listen, Live and Learn (LLL)-intern responsible for Social Entrepreneurship, Ellen Ovenden, invited the CSCD to be involved in their March Mental Health-programme.

The CSCD was involved on several levels. Angelique McConney served as part of a panel discussion that took place in the LLL Village quad on Tuesday 10 March at 17h30.  The questions focused on mental health, the myths around mental illness, treatment available, as well as the services provided by the CSCD on campus.  Angelique was joined on the panel by three other Mental Health experts.

The UPSS also assisted with compiling questions around mental health, specific to each of the 27 LLL houses that was posted on their Facebook-pages to facilitate discussion and reflection.

The UACD also participated by providing information on stress and anxiety that was distributed to students during the third week of March.

We hope to build on the partnership we formed during this collaboration with LLL – what an exciting way to contribute to the dialogue on campus!

More information on the LLL initiative can be found on http://www.sun.ac.za/lll

One day Jevonn Cloete, an education student in his fourth year at Stellenbosch University (SU), wants to return to his hometown in the Northern Cape and address all the problems that he was confronted with as a learner.

But before that, he is doing was he has always done – taking any opportunity that comes his way and making the most of it. Cloete's next opportunity is an educational tour to Utrecht in the Netherlands where he will get together with other teachers and education students to compare notes.

Cloete is a recipient of the Rapport teaching fund's prestige award. Together with nine other recipients – four other students and five maths teachers who have already made a great impact in their respective schools – he will attend a summer school in Utrecht.

It will be this former learner from Namaqualand Secondary School's first journey abroad.

“I am most excited about the time that I will be spending with other passionate mathematicians,” he says. According to Cloete curricula will be a main focus point, and attendees from all over will be able to compare and discuss different systems. The two-week summer school will include visits to local schools as well as research sessions. There will also be a social programme. 

After the summer school Cloete hopes to share the knowledge and experience that he has gained with his fellow students, and ultimately to use it in his own class one day.

Cloete originally wanted to become a food scientist. That was until the day his maths teacher stood outside in the passage talking to someone and he proceeded to present the class.

“She came in, sat at my desk and allowed me to present ​​the whole lesson. After that day I knew I wanted to help people who think they can not do maths. That little light that switches on as soon as somebody understands something is amazing.”

Cloete's plan for the long term is to eventually qualify as a educational psychologist.

Because he is so familiar with the everyday issues in the type of school that he also attended, he wants to return to the Northern Cape and make a difference in as many schools as possible.

Cloete is grateful towards the Faculty of Education  that nominated him for this award and hopes it will not be the last time that he travels abroad for his studies.

The group leaves on 15 Augustus. 

​She studies microbiology, but doing community work, has always been a passion of hers.

And this is why Bernelee Skrywer (19) from the University of Namibia wanted to be a participant of the short course African Leadership Development  

 This course, which focuses on developing young African leaders for a better continent, is the latest offering of Stellenbosch University's Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Institute for Leadership Development. The Namibian group consisting of five students, who are also members of the student club, Maltas, were the first to attend this course (16 to 21 July).

 "This course meant a lot to me because it helped to hone my leadership skills. One needs to be a good leader in order to be an efficient worker in the community," explains Bernelee.

Benita Strauss (20), a BComm (Rek) student in her second year says it was also interesting for her to learn more about Africa and how the continent has developed on a number of levels.

"I enjoyed the combination of gaining information about Africa and sharpening our leadership skills."

Muziwandile Nungu, a student in business administration is originally from Zimbabwe.

"This continent suffers because there are few good leaders," he says. "I believe it is important that every individual has a duty to set a good example. I am also interested in community development and how I can help different communities on a journey to change. If you really want to effect change, one needs to start with ordinary people and try to change their way of thinking. I further believe one needs to think innovatively and effectively use the resources at your disposal."

He mentions the tobacco industry of Zimbabwe.

"This used to be one of the drivers of the economy. But the industry is mostly destroyed. We need to think of other uses for the ground."

The involvement of the Maltas students is part of the FVZS Institute's vision to expand its short courses to students in other African countries as well as globally.

"We are busy developing African Leadership Development the as an on-line, mixed model learning course," says Folkers Williams, programme coordinator of the FVZS Institute.

This means that, among other things, participants will receive and do projects online and also watch prescribed videos. This will be supported by direct streaming contact sessions.  

​Prof Delia Haynes, an inorganic chemist at Stellenbosch University, is the recipient of the third Jan Boeyens Prize, awarded by the South African Crystallographic Society.

The award is made to a young South African researcher who has made a distinguished contribution to the use of crystallography and other structural methods in a holistic manner to investigate fundamental problems in Nature.

The award, and a cash prize of R10 000, will be formally handed over at the INDABA8 conference in August 2015.

Prof Haynes completed her BSc Honours (cum laude) in 1998 at the University of Natal in Molecular Genetics. She then switched back to Chemistry, completing a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom in 2002. After three years as a postdoctoral associate at the Pfizer Institute for Pharmaceutical Materials Science in Cambridge, she returned to South Africa. She joined the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at SU as a senior lecturer in 2007 and has been an associate professor since January 2014.

Her research revolves around investigating factors that are important in determining the crystal structures, and thus the properties, of various molecule-based materials. Most recently, her focus has been on using multi-component crystals (salts and co-crystals) to develop novel ionic framework materials, or materials with interesting magnetic properties.

"We use small molecules to try and build new materials that have interesting new properties. You do this by trying to understand the interactions between molecules. If you can understand, you can control, allowing us to change the properties of a crystal," she explains.

While her research is mainly fundamental, there are potential future applications in data storage (magnetic materials) and drug delivery (novel ionic frameworks).

She has published 36 research articles in top journals, including CrystEngComm, Crystal Growth and Design, Chemical Communications and the Journal of the American Chemical Society. 

​

In tribute of late President Nelson Mandela's birthday, a variety of community engagement activities were hosted. To honour his legacy, two staff members, Melanie Willems and Lizzie Witbooi of the Centre for Student Counselling and Development participated in the "Toasties for Tummies" Initiative on 22 July 2015.

The "Toasties for Tummies" Initiative is a Mandela Day Initiative. They assisted and prepared sandwiches for people who are in dire need of food within the Stellenbosch surrounding areas. Approximately 60 000 sandwiches were made.  The sandwiches were distributed to various public schools, welfare organisations as well as Stellenbosch Feeding Scheme Action. It was a great privilege to be able to lend a helping hand to feed a hungry person. This is an initiative focusing on enhancing a sustainable social responsibility. It also enhances staff's social economic awareness regarding people who are living in poverty. What a wonderful way to contribute to the community! 

​Matie athlete Justine Palframan did South Africa proud today (Friday 10 July) when she won a gold medal in the 400m for women at the World Student Games (Summer Universiade) being held in Gwangju City, South Korea.

The BSc Sport Science student ran home in a personal best time of 51.27s, beating Malgorzata Holub of Poland (51.93) and Huizhen Yang of China (51.98) to win South Africa's second medal at the event.

Akani Simbine won South Africa's first medal on Thursday when he took the 100m crown.

"It's been an amazing experience. I'm surprised by the margin of victory. I gave it all I could and I'm just glad I was able to achieve my PB and get the gold for team South Africa," Justine said after her victory.

"It was always a dream of mine (to win gold at the WSG) and now I can't believe that I've actually achieved it. It think it will only sink in tomorrow or even in a few days' time."

Her coach, Mohamed Ally of Maties Athletics, is very proud of her.

"Justine is an amazing talent and a hard worker. She deserves the victory without any doubt. We are delighted with her performance in such a quality field; she was the youngest athlete in the field today. Her preparation in Europe ahead of the games was ideal as it allowed for proper fine-tuning and building confidence. Maties Sport's has supported me as her coach to be there for her through her journey and this has contributed to her success."

Palframan was crowned SA champion in both the 200m and 400m at the South African national track and field championships in April this year and set her (previous) personal best times in both of these events (22.96s and 51.75s) a week later in front of her home crowd at the USSA event hosted at Coetzenburg in Stellenbosch.

Before going to Korea she spent some time running in Europe, where she came third in the 400m at the Sopot Grand Prix in Poland, and second in the 200m at an athletics meet in Velenje, Slovenia, despite a bad fall.

Justine grew up in the rural hamlet of Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal and comes from an athletic family. Her parents Steve and Trevlyn Palframan met on the track and both represented their province in sprinting. Her siblings Katelyn and David also both earned provincial colours for swimming and athletics.

In January 2013 Justine enrolled for a BSc (Sports Science) degree at SU where she trains with her coach Mohamed Ally from Maties Athletics.

Justine's dream is to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games. This year she has posted times that would qualify her for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, but her main focus is on 2020.

​The latest issue of Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics Plus is available online. This special issue is dedicated to papers read at USAN 2014: Kongres vir Jong Navorsers/Conference for Young Scholars and is guest edited by Pieter Muysken (Radboud University Nijmegen) and Gerda Odendaal (Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, Stellenbosch University).​

http://spilplus.journals.ac.za/pub/issue/view/82

​​The latest issue of Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics is available at http://spil.journals.ac.za/pub. We invite you to review the Table of Contents here and then visit our web site to review articles and items of interest.

Stellenbosch Papers in Linguistics
Vol 43 (2014)
Table of Contents
http://spil.journals.ac.za/pub/issue/view/45

​Employees of Maties Sport proved they (hopefully) have green fingers when they planted vegetables at the Stellenbosch Night Shelter on Friday 24 July as part of their Mandela Day activities.

According to Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director: Maties Sport, the division didn't want to take part in a once-off event but wanted to become involved in something more sustainable.

She said the spirit of Mandela Day should actually be present every day: "Just think what a difference it would make if each of us does one good deed every day."

The idea to plant vegetables and herbs such as spinach, kale, leeks and celery in crates at the night shelter originated from the desire to do something that would have value in the long run.

The volunteers were informed about the night shelter and its activities.

Dorothy Reynecke, chairperson, explained that the night shelter can offer shelter to up to 30 men and 12 women.

"They have to pay R7 per person or R10 if the person earns an income. This gives them access to a shower and a bed, as well as dinner and breakfast.

"The night shelter offers temporary accommodation – it is not a permanent home. Hopefully it is a stepping stone to something better. We don't want people to put down roots in the streets," she said.

They also have access to a social worker.

Martin Wilding and Willem van Kerwel from Stellenbosch University's Welgevallen Experimental Farm prepared the siteand Wilding kept an eye on the planting.

They also donated a few sachets of Maties Milk.

Reynecke thanked Maties Sport for noticing the work the night shelter does.

Donations of blankets, clothes, toiletries and food are always welcome.

​​Food manufacturing technologies, including packaging and storage options to reduce food loss, will be discussed when Southern Hemisphere experts gather at Stellenbosch University on 27 and 28 July 2015. The closed workshop is organised in conjunction with the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Division of Rural Infrastructure and Agro-industries (AGS), the South-South Cooperation Team (TCSS) and the FAO Representation team in South Africa.

"It provides a platform to exchange perspectives and to make recommendations about the development, transfer, acquisition and use of innovative technologies that add value during the processing stages, enhance food quality and reduce postharvest losses," explains workshop organiser Prof Umezuruike Linus Opara, Distinguished Professor of Postharvest Technology and holder of the South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technologies at Stellenbosch University.

Participants will share experiences and discuss the latest value addition techniques used in various Southern Hemisphere countries for the small to medium scale processing of agricultural produce such as cereals, roots, tubers, fruits and vegetables. Innovations in packaging and cold chain management that address food safety and help reduce food losses will also be put on the table.

"Action areas and concrete steps will be identified through which the FAO and other partners can facilitate appropriate processes in developing countries," says Dr Tobias Takavarasha, FAO representative in South Africa.

Among the workshop participants are Mr Joseph Mpagalile (FAO Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries Division), Dr Amauri Rosenthal (Brazilian Corporation for Agricultural Research), Prof Noureddine Benkeblia (University of the West Indies, Jamaica), Prof Steven Underhill (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia), Dr Lusike Wasilwa (Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation), Prof Xin-An Zeng (South China University of Technology) and HE Dr Rashid Al-Yahyai (Sultan Qaboos University, Oman). At the end of the workshop, follow-up actions will be developed to promote collaboration, networking and transfer of technologies between South-South countries.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, with millions of people affected by this crippling disease worldwide.  Although the extent of the disease burden has not been well determined in South Africa, an estimated 27 million Americans aged 25 and older have osteoarthritis according to the National Institutes of Health.

The disease affects people differently, with joint damage developing over years or in some cases more quickly.  The disease can have a negative influence on the patient's physical well-being and in many their lifestyle and finances are affected adversely.

Dr Mou Manie, Head of the Division of Rheumatology at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, answered the most frequently asked questions about this disease.

Osteoarthritis – FAQ`s

1.    What is OA?

Arthritis is a term meaning inflammation of a joint or joints.

OA is a form of arthritis resulting from degeneration of the protective cartilage which lines the ends of the bones around the joint.

2.    How common is OA?

It is the commonest form of arthritis. The onset is typically in the 5^th decade and progressively affects increasing numbers so that by the age of 70 years most individuals will be affected by this disease.

With increasing numbers of people living to an older age, OA is likely to be an important contributor to the burden of disease affecting the musculoskeletal system.

3.     Which joints are affected in OA?

The joints typically affected are the hands, where the distal and proximal finger joints and base of thumb are affected. Other joint areas affected include the knees, hips, base of the big toe, lower cervical spine and lower lumbar spine.

4.    What are the risk factors for developing OA?

The well- known predisposing factors for OA are:

• Age – referred to above.
• Gender – females are more commonly affected than males.
• Genetic – the nodal (bump) form affecting mainly the  hands ( see below ), tends to run in families compared to the weight bearing joints such as the knee and hip where the genetic component is not that strong.
• Obesity – this is thought to be the result of weight bearing and strain, especially of the knee joint.
• Previous joint damage, particularly of the cartilage. Typical examples of these include:
• Trauma
• The presence of joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout
• Abnormalities of the underlying cartilage caused by other illnesses such as Perthes disease.

5.   How does one distinguish between OA and other forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and gout?

The main distinguishing features are the distribution of the joints affected and the nature of the pain. In OA the pain is typically made worse by activity whereas in RA the pain is relieved by activity. In OA, the hands are involved but it generally spares the wrist and elbows, whereas with RA the joint involvement is often more widespread and the associated morning stiffness is often more prolonged. In gout the onset is characteristically more acute and is not an uncommon cause of a single very painful and swollen joint.

6.  How is OA treated?

There is no cure for OA and therapy consists mainly of drugs such as paracetamol and other medication such as ibuprofen which relieves pain and inflammation. In those patients with nodal OA of the hands, disease modifying therapy like chloroquine may result in relief of the severe pain and inflammation that some patients experience.

Topical applications such as methyl salicylate ointment have been shown to be of benefit. A more recently launched complementary topical gel called Flexiseq has shown some promise.

Evidence that over the counter therapies such as glucosamine and chondroitin work is lacking, but some patients report relief of symptoms. In cases where a single joint is involved, for example those with OA of the knee, physiotherapy and weight reduction may be of value. In very severe cases, surgery such as a knee or a hip replacement may be necessary.

7.  Are there any new developments in the field of OA?

Despite extensive research internationally, the search for more options, including the use of biologic agents for changing the course of the disease, has not yielded convincing results.     

Media enquiries

Mandi Barnard
Marketing Coordinator
+27 (0)21 938 9505
mandi@sun.ac.za
Marketing and Communication Office
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences     
Stellenbosch University                                 

Website:          www.sun.ac.za/health
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/SUhealthsci
Twitter:            @SUhealthsci

​A lively debate is underway about the institutional culture of Stellenbosch University (SU), and now students have a new outlet for their opinions on this matter.

"What does being a Matie mean to you? And what are you doing to be the change you want to see?" SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers asks in a new blog competition on Bonfiire.

"It certainly is a fantastic opportunity to be able to study here. But a higher education institution is not an ATM where you simply withdraw knowledge without also giving something back," Prof De Villiers writes.

"How do you, as a member of the campus community, help determine what Stellenbosch is? What are you doing to bring about change?"

Share your thoughts in a Bonfiire blog, and use #letUStalk there and in other social media.

Competition info:

• Click here for more info and to enter.
• The closing date is 14 August 2015.
• The best answer wins R1 000 and the runner-up R500.
• The posts that receive the most likes on Bonfiire will win.
• This question forms part of a three-part series during the second semester of 2015.
• In addition to the prizes awarded in each question, an overall prize of R1 500 will go to the student who participated in all three questions and accumulated the most thought leader points.

It was gold and silver for Maties Parasport's Charl du Toit and Fanie van der Merwe in the T37 100m event at the final leg of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Grand Prix Series held in London on Sunday 26 July.

Du Toit took the race in 11.69s and Van der Merwe came second in 11.77s.

According to their coach, Dr Suzanne Ferreira, the top six athletes within certain items and classes (as determined by the IPC) were invited to compete in the event.

"The athletes qualify by participating in IPC Grand Prix events. Fanie is ranked first for this event and Charl third."

Even before the race she predicted that it was going to be a close contest.

Some of the world's best athletes participated in the prestigious Sainsbury's Anniversary Games from 24-26 July (anniversary of the 2012 Olympic Games). On Sunday 26 July, the icons of the Paralympics took centre stage as The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, hosted the final leg of the IPC Grand Prix Series, as part of National Paralympic Day.

Both Van der Merwe and Du Toit competed in the Paralympic Games in 2012 and enjoyed the opportunity of competing in the stadium again.

Van der Merwe, who tasted both defeat and victory at those Games, said it reminded him of what God has done.

Du Toit didn't have such great memories of the 2012 Games, but said it was a privilege to be invited to compete in the Anniversary Games.

The event served as a stepping stone in working towards the 2015 IPC Athletic World Champs to be held in Doha in October.

After racing on Sunday, both athletes were back on the track at Coetzenburg on Monday to loosen up.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) presented a Career Conference themed "Skills for the new millennium workplace" last Friday.

Four workshops were held: Andrew Bramley on "How to package yourself for what you really want to do"; John Paisley on "Same old, same old or how coaching can transform thinking"; Thasha Naidoo on "Salary negotiation" and Dr Renata Schoeman on "Self care and corporate mental health awareness".

Schoeman, a final-year MBA student at USB, highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and said it is people's ability to perceive, identify and understand, and successfully manage their emotions and the emotions of others.

"Some of the benefits of a high EQ include leading more effectively, coping better with change and functioning better under pressure," she said.

Exhibitions were held by Deloitte, Bain & Company, PwC, Maersk, Thasha Naidoo Consulting and PPS.

A networking lunch was also held which gave attendees the opportunity to meet and engage with the presenters and recruiters

Bronwen February, Austin Davidse and Anthony Pieters from Cloetesville High School, said they have been ispired by Stellenbosch University's annual High Science meets High School event. "I liked the Maths presentation the most, I will work hard in Maths," said Anthony Pieters afterwards.

The event, which was held on Thursday, 23 July, saw Stellenbosch University's high ranking scientists from Science, Engineering, and Technology related fields present their outstanding research findings and innovation in a simplified manner to high school learners of grades 8 & 9 in an effort to inspire the learners to consider careers in science.

The High Science meets High School event was hosted by the Divisions for Research Development and Community Interaction. 

Three researchers, Dr Gareth Boxall, Prof Paul Papka and Dr Theo Nel shared some of their research with the learners and answered learners' questions.

Mathematician, Dr Boxall explained how pure mathematics is used in biomedical science, for example to model the effects of medical inventions.

Prof Paul Papka, a nuclear physicist, said studying atomic nuclei might in future contribute towards finding sustainable and safe energy resources, and Dr Theo Nel explained how urbanisation led to health problems related to the metabolic syndrome.

According to Mr Mawethu Nyakatya, Coordinator: Research Partnerships and Communications in the Division for Research Development, these events create a platform for promoting research as a career option to high school learners and thereby addressing the challenge of a shortage in the research workforce in the country, especially as South Africa is shifting to a knowledge-based economy.

As in the past, a DVD was made of the presentations for distribution to local high schools. In this way, many more learners will have the opportunity of the "high science meets high school learner" experience and teachers will be able to use this resource to generate further learning materials.

​

​It would be great for the country if business schools, government and business could sit around the table and discuss what they need to do for education.

"But first we will have to overcome the mistrust," says USB director Prof Piet Naudé in a Financial Mail feature on business schools.

Read the full article at http://www.financialmail.co.za/coverstory/2015/07/23/business-schools-roles-under-fire 

Receiving the hepatitis B vaccine at birth could prevent transmission of this deadly disease between mother and baby, yet in South Africa and many other sub-Saharan countries the vaccine is only administered at six weeks leaving the infant vulnerable to infection.

A 2010 study by Stellenbosch University (SU) researchers confirmed that HBV is being transmitted from HIV-positive mothers to their new-born babies.

"Our study showed that HIV-infected pregnant women have high HBV viral loads and are at risk for vertical transmission to their new-born infants despite the availability of a safe, cheap and effective vaccine," says Dr Monique Andersson, head of the Viral Hepatitis Research Group at SU's Division of Medical Virology.

"Despite the World Health Organisation's recommendation to administer the first dose of HBV vaccine at birth, most African countries only give it at six weeks of age, leaving the new-born infant susceptible to infection," says Andersson. Her research group advocates for the vaccine to be brought closer to the time of birth to reduce the risk of perinatal infection.

More than 2.5 million South Africans are estimated to have chronic HBV, an infection that can lead to scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver, or cancer. An estimated 240 million worldwide are affected by it.

Chronic HBV infection is among the most common causes of cancer mortality worldwide with young Black males being disproportionately affected.

Andersson and her team are currently studying the role of HIV in HBV infection and investigating patients' immune response to determine whether co-infection with HBV and HIV is a risk factor for increased development of liver fibrosis.

The Viral Hepatitis Research Group is also working on developing a feasible point-of-care test for viral hepatitis B and C.

"The increasing availability of drugs for the treatment of these infections has exposed the lack of availability of tests for diagnosis and monitoring in resource-poor settings," says Andersson.

With better awareness, government engagement and investment this disease can be eliminated and 4000 lives can be saved around the world per day. Andersson has asked members of the public to help raise awareness of viral hepatitis by using the hashtag #4000voices to call for action.

Media enquiries

Mandi Barnard
Marketing Coordinator
+27 (0)21 938 9505
mandi@sun.ac.za
Marketing and Communication Office
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University                                 

Website:          www.sun.ac.za/health
Facebook:       www.facebook.com/SUhealthsci
Twitter:            @SUhealthsci