"The passing of Mr Aaron Cupido can be compared to a library that burnt down – sadly, insights and knowledge of a bygone area and also a bridge between us and that time disappear with it."

With these words, Dr Jerome Slamat, Executive Manager: Rectorate, paid tribute to the late Mr Aaron Cupido (98), one of Stellenbosch's oldest residents and respected educator and community leader. Cupido passed away last week.

Dr Slamat represented Stellenbosch University (SU) at the funeral in the Rynse Church on Die Braak on Saturday (15 August 2015).

"In this university town, he did not have the title of professor or doctor, but everyone who met him (also professors and doctors) immediately knew that they were dealing with a person of immense wisdom," Dr Slamat said.

"Today Stellenbosch University pays homage to a remarkable resident of Stellenbosch and also acknowledges the extraordinary and talented Stellenbosch family he descended from. We express our gratitude to his family for sharing him with so many others and us."

Dr Slamat added that Prof Chris Brink, a former SU Rector, referred to Cupido as a "walking encyclopaedia" and that Prof Hermann Giliomee penned Cupido's words as the title of his book Nog altyd hier gewees: Die storie van ʼn Stellenbosse gemeenskap (2007). He also mentioned that the previous SU Rector, the late Prof Russel Botman, held Mr Cupido in high esteem.

As one of the residents who were forcefully removed from the Vlakte  ̶  as the area close to the town centre of Stellenbosch was known in the 20^th Century  ̶  during Apartheid, Mr Cupido attended the launch of the Memory Room at SU in 2013. This contemporary exhibition space, which depicts the suppressed history of the people of Die Vlakte and the Battle of Andringa Street, is widely seen a gesture of reconciliation between SU and the town's coloured community.

• Click here to read Dr Slamat's complete tribute.

Three-hundred volunteers; 3091 delegates;  over 190 sessions; 750 square metres of exhibition space.  These are just some of the statistics for the 81^st IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) happening at the Cape Town ICC from the 15 to 21 August 2015.   Is SU playing a part?   Absolutely!

Senior Director of the Library and Information Service, Ms Ellen Tise, is a Former IFLA President (2009-2011) and is a member of the IFLA WLIC 2015 National Committee.  She will chair a session of the Congress entitled Strong Libraries, Strong Societies: Access, Development and Transformation.    Fourteen staff members of the Library and Information Service will be working as volunteers at the Congress and 26 will be attending as delegates.

What exactly is IFLA?   IFLA is the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.   The theme of this year's IFLA WLIC is Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation.

This is the second time that an IFLA Congress is being held in South Africa.  The previous occasion was in 2007, in Durban.  For some staff of the Library and Information Service, this will be the first international conference they will attend or in which they will be involved.  It may well be a 'once in one's professional lifetime' opportunity to be assisting at a congress hosted in one's home country and province!

In addition to staff participating and volunteering, the Library and Information Service is also hosting several events:

• The IFLA IT Section pre-conference satellite meeting was held on 13-14 August at STIAS. The theme of the satellite meeting was Transforming libraries with open digital technologies.
• The Library and Information Service will host 47 delegates on Friday 21 August, as one of the conference tours on offer to IFLA delegates.  Delegates will enjoy a presentation about the library, be shown the innovative spaces and services at the central JS Gericke Library, as well as visit the inspirational Engineering and Forestry branch Library.

Staff of the Library and Information Service are excited by the learning opportunity of attending Congress and interacting with their international peers.

​Stellenbosch University's (SU) reputation as the home of world-class researchers just keeps on growing. Recently Prof Paul van Helden, Head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences and the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at SU, obtained a prestigious A-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Van Helden, who is also the Director of the DST/NRF Centre for Excellence in Biomedical TB Research in the Faculty and the Director of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, received an A-rating for his cutting-edge research on the use of modern molecular biology techniques to diagnose drug resistant Tuberculosis, especially in developing countries. Researchers with an A-rating are unequivocally recognised by their peers as leading international scholars in their field for the high quality and impact of their research.

Stellenbosch University now has 13 A-rated researchers  ̶  three in the Human and Social Sciences, seven in Science, AgriSciences and Engineering and three in Medicine and Health Sciences.  The institution now has a total of 372 NRF-rated researchers.

Reflecting on his A-rating, Van Helden said he is really pleased for his team. "I must give due recognition to the wonderful colleagues I have had at SU who played no small role in my success."

An eminent researcher, Van Helden has over 400 research publications to his name and established extensive global networks. He has received numerous national awards among others the Gold Medal of the South African Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2001); the SAMRC Silver Medal for Research (2004); the National Science and Technology Forum Award for Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology (2005); the Gold Medal of the Academy of Science in South Africa (2009) and a Lifetime Achievement recognition by the SAMRC (2013).

Van Helden is ranked on the Thompson Reuters Rankings as having the fourth highest impact in TB research publishing in the world. Over the years, he has trained many masters and doctoral students and also mentored many post-doctoral fellows.

Prof Jimmy Volmink, Dean of the FMHS, congratulated Van Helden and said he has for many years been at the helm of a leading biomedical research centre in tuberculosis at the FMHS.

"He is one of the most highly cited TB researchers in the world and the work carried out under his supervision has both challenged established notions about the disease and informed TB policy and practice.  This recognition by the NRF is indeed well deserved."

The NRF rating system is a benchmarking system by which individuals that exemplify the highest standards of research, as well as those demonstrating strong potential as researchers, are identified by an extensive network of South African and international peer reviewers. Ratings are based on the quality and impact of recent research outputs (over an eight-year period).

Applications are made either by "established" researchers with a solid track record (categories C, B and A), or by "younger" researchers who show potential to become established within a five-year period (Y), or to become future leaders in their field (P). Ratings are valid for a period of six years.

• Photo: Prof Paul van Helden
  

​For some student teachers, the compulsory practical period they spend in a school before qualifying is the highlight of their degree, but it can also be a stressful and negative time, writes Prof Maureen Robinson, Dean of the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University.

The article "Improving student teachers' in-school experiences is a smart investment​" was published ​on the website The Conversation.​​

Find article here: http://theconversation.com/improving-student-teachers-in-school-experiences-is-a-smart-investment-44785

It is based on research commissioned by the Department of Higher Education and Training as part of a national strategy to improve the quality of education in the country. 

Three-hundred volunteers; 3091 delegates;  over 190 sessions; 750 square metres of exhibition space.  These are just some of the statistics for the 81^st IFLA World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) happening at the Cape Town ICC from the 15 to 21 August 2015.   Is SU playing a part?   Absolutely!

Senior Director of the Library and Information Service, Ms Ellen Tise, is a Former IFLA President (2009-2011) and is a member of the IFLA WLIC 2015 National Committee.  She will chair a session of the Congress entitled Strong Libraries, Strong Societies: Access, Development and Transformation.    Fourteen staff members of the Library and Information Service will be working as volunteers at the Congress and 26 will be attending as delegates.

What exactly is IFLA?   IFLA is the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.   The theme of this year's IFLA WLIC is Dynamic Libraries: Access, Development and Transformation.

This is the second time that an IFLA Congress is being held in South Africa.  The previous occasion was in 2007, in Durban.  For some staff of the Library and Information Service, this will be the first international conference they will attend or in which they will be involved.  It may well be a 'once in one's professional lifetime' opportunity to be assisting at a congress hosted in one's home country and province!

In addition to staff participating and volunteering, the Library and Information Service is also hosting several events:

• The IFLA IT Section pre-conference satellite meeting was held on 13-14 August at STIAS. The theme of the satellite meeting was Transforming libraries with open digital technologies.
• The Library and Information Service will host 47 delegates on Friday 21 August, as one of the conference tours on offer to IFLA delegates.  Delegates will enjoy a presentation about the library, be shown the innovative spaces and services at the central JS Gericke Library, as well as visit the inspirational Engineering and Forestry branch Library.

Staff of the Library and Information Service are excited by the learning opportunity of attending Congress and interacting with their international peers.

The University of Stellenbosch Business School will be awarded the 2015 Diamond Arrow Award after being ranked the top school for the fifth consecutive year in the Professional Management Review (PMR.africa) annual survey of accredited business schools offering MBA and MBL degrees in South Africa.

The respondents (employers) rated MBA graduates and students in the workplace across 19 attributes, with USB scoring 8.16 (up from last year's 8.00) out of a possible 10.00.

Prof Piet Naudé, USB director, says: "USB is delighted about this confirmation that our students are highly regarded in the actual marketplace. It is a vindication of hard work by our academics and of a programme design that prepares students for the fast shifting demands of the business world."

Naudé also says USB remains committed to deliver the next generation of business leaders that will shape economic thinking and business practice in South Africa, Africa and the global community.  

Prof Marlize Terblanche-Smit, head of the USB MBA, emphasises: "It is imperative that we as a business school continuously up our game. The MBA remains the best vehicle to equip students with the necessary skills to lead in culturally diverse and global environments – and the PMR survey tells us that many employers do realise that."

Marketing director at USB, Dr Marietjie Theron-Wepener, says that the reputation of any organisation is ultimately determined by its clients and other stakeholders. "The fact that this survey was done by an external, independent institution gives the outcome credibility."

Commenting on the fact that USB scored even higher this time around, she added that it means USB's constant renewal of its MBA programme and the impact of its MBA graduates on South African organisations are being noticed.

The school is the only one in Africa with five-year European (EQUIS) accreditation. It was also the first school from an African university to be awarded all three major international accreditations – EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA.

Human resource directors and line managers at listed and large companies, national, provincial and local government departments, municipalities and state-owned enterprises participated in the PMR.africa survey.

Employees who are studying at or who have graduated from accredited business schools were ranked according to a list of criteria, including academic knowledge, application of knowledge in the workplace, communication skills, emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial skills, environmental awareness, ethical business conduct, financial management and human resource management.

The other attributes were implementation of corporate governance, information management, innovation, insight into sound sustainable development, international perspective, leadership skills, marketing management, operational management, quantitative abilities and strategic management.

Announcing the results of the 2015 survey, Johan Hattingh, CEO of PMR.africa, explained, "Through the awards we want to acknowledge the best business schools and set a benchmark that others can aspire to".

​

Stellenbosch University Museum invites you to a free film screening of The Black Christ, a documentary film produced by Damian Samuels and directed by Jean-Paul Moodie.

The details are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Venue: University Museum, 52 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch

Time: 18:00–20:00

RSVP to Elvandre Galant: elvandre@sun.ac.za

The film screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the film director and some refreshments.

The Black Christ: The painting that shook a regime

In 1962, a young South African artist, Ronald Harrison, passionately sought a way to contribute to the struggle for political freedom by leveraging his passion for art. Consequently, he produced a painting destined to become world renowned as the 'Black Christ.' The painting's metaphoric depiction of the suffering of the various oppressed black racial groups during apartheid is ingenious. To this end, the painting depicts a Christ-like crucified figure being tormented by two centurions. The face of the crucified man is that of Albert Luthuli, the President of the ANC at the time and the first African recipient of a Nobel Peace Prize (1961).

The faces of the two 'centurions' are that of Hendrik Verwoerd, then Prime Minister of South Africa and one of the main architects of apartheid, and B.J. Voster, Verwoerd's ruthless Minister of Justice and Police. The unveiling of the painting caused a furore, as it instantly became a powerful symbol of defiance against the prevailing harsh and unjust political system in the country.

At the same time, the painting was interpreted by various sects of the white ruling class as both blasphemous and subversive, as it managed to foreground the social paradox of a racist state purporting to hold Christian values. As a result, the apartheid authorities banned the work from any public exhibition, and attempted to seize and destroy the canvas. However, a London-based anti-apartheid organisation, Defence and Aid, smuggled it out of South Africa in 1962, where for the following six years the painting travelled through Europe. During that period, it is claimed to have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling for the legal and financial aid of political prisoners and their families in South Africa.

After its European tour, the painting vanished and Harrison lost all contact with his creation. Subsequent to the painting's exile from South Africa and Ronald Harrison's personal meeting with Luthuli, he was persistently harassed by the South African Security Police. These arrests culminated in brutal physical torture, which affected him in very real ways, while he also endured sadistic threats against his family. In the ensuing years his personal suffering was exacerbated by the violent events unfolding in South Africa, his reluctant separation from the Black Christ painting and the uncertainty regarding the painting's whereabouts.

Through unrelenting political pressure, the country eventually changed – formal apartheid was dismantled, political organisations fighting for liberation and democracy were unbanned, Nelson Mandela and others political leaders were released, and in 1994 a joyous population partook in the country's first democratic elections. The search for the Black Christ painting intensified, and in 1997, after a series of remarkably coincidental events, the canvas was found in London, where a self-exiled South African human rights lawyer, Julius Baker, stored it safely for the preceding 30 years. Amid intense international and local media coverage, the painting was returned to South Africa in 1997, bought by the South African National Gallery in 1998, where it now rests – its work done, but its influence and message as relevant as ever.

Ronald Harrison was born on 18 March 1940 in the suburb of Athlone, Cape Town, but lived the first four years of his life in Kimberley. Ronald described his childhood as 'nomadic' – his family often moved from place to place and he lived in many different Cape Town communities, including District Six, Ottery and Salt River. Despite Ronald excelling at art and being a top-grade student in primary and high school, he could not pursue fine arts as a profession due to being classified as 'coloured', which deprived him of this opportunity. His family could also not afford a privileged education. Ronald often lamented the way in which the absurdity of apartheid-racialised identities entered his intimate family life and tore his family apart. As a young adult, he wound up earning a meagre living working in a factory, despite his artistic talents, intelligence and political astuteness.

Ronald was committed to his Christian values and to the struggle against apartheid. It made sense that he revered Luthuli, who represented for him the embodiment of a noble cause, both Christian and liberatory. Frustrated with the oppressive state violence, angered by the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, the unfair restriction on his personal growth, and on Luthuli's banning orders, Ronald began to find his voice and political expression through critical art. The Black Christ painting is his most renowned work, for which he endured serial torture at the hands of the apartheid security police, leaving him to live with life-long physical and psychological scars.

After acquiring international recognition for creating the Black Christ painting and transcending what he called 'the stigma of being considered a second-class citizen', he was offered a scholarship to study fine arts in America. However, the apartheid government would only grant him an exit permit. Having also been threatened with his life and that of his family, he declined the offer and abstained from exhibiting his work in public, but there are literally hundreds of homes in Cape Town decorated with his art. Ronald Harrison was an artist of the people and for the people and generously gifted his talent to his community.

With the advent of democracy, Ronald was offered a prestigious position in the office of the provincial government. True to his character, he responded by saying his role as an artist was to hold power accountable and not to hold power per se. In 2005 Ronald was one of the recipients of a prestigious Arts and Culture Award in the category of Visual Arts, granted by the Western Cape provincial government, along with other notable stalwarts of the arts. He resumed serious work in 2006, when he painted a series of paintings dedicated to Albert Luthuli. These paintings were in exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Foundation for a number of years after finding their resting place at the Luthuli Museum in Groutville, KwaDukuza. In the same year he wrote his memoirs, which is a heartfelt account of some of the most significant experiences in his life. His book, The Black Christ: My Journey to Freedom, is available from New Africa Books. In 2008 Ronald was once again honoured and acknowledged by the Western Cape provincial government for his contribution to the liberation struggle when he received an Order of the Disa for services rendered to his country.

Ronald Harrison had a special strength, one that speaks against the silence of many anti-apartheid activists to protect themselves from the shame and disgrace they endured for challenging the apartheid regime. Ronald never married and fathered children of his own. It is speculated that what had happened during his interrogations may have affected him so much that he passed up the opportunity to marry and become a parent, although he was the proverbial father to many young men and women. Ronald Harrison passed away of a heart attack at the age of 71 on 28 June 2011, after beating cancer, which is believed to have emanated from the injuries he suffered at the hands of the apartheid security police. He was honoured with a requiem funeral service at St Luke Anglican Church in Salt River. His funeral was attended by hundreds of friends, family and those who venerate him. Some of the noteworthy guests at his funeral were Cape Town Major Patria de Lille, Dr Albertina Luthuli and Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane, among many.

​​The first round of a Bonfiire blog competition, hosted by the Rector, Prof Wim de Villiers, yielded insightful contributions. The question was, "What does being a Matie mean to you?", and all three winners argued that students should themselves give content to this concept.

"I consciously, deliberately chose Stellenbosch University (SU) because I wanted to help transform this place," writes Inga Dyantyi, who calls herself "an unapologetically black female". She adds: "For me, being a Matie means being united in our diversity. It means finding a way to happily co-exist. It means mutual respect and understanding." Her blog received the third most votes.

Charlene Kreuser was second, with a contribution arguing that being a "Matie" is a "multifaceted" concept. "By participating in the opportunities available in terms of learning and involvement, and by creating our own opportunities, we can help shape the institutional culture of SU. The structures are there, it is a matter of using them to our advantage."

Kara Meiring got the most votes, arguing the wrong question had been posed. "We are definitely not all Maties in the sense that the University wants us to be. And we should not conform to the idea of being a Matie until that idea has [been] transformed beyond one of 'having an acorn fall on your head', 'drinking a box of wine in Bohemia' or 'kissing in Die Laan'."

Click here to read all the entries. The posts that receive the most likes on Bonfiire win.

NEW COMPETITION

The second round – which coincides with "election season" at SU – has just started with the question, "What should new student leaders do to advance inclusivity on campus?"

Prof de Villiers writes: "As a leading higher-education institution, we want all our students to reach their full potential. This includes women and people with disabilities, whose claims to equality are highlighted each year around this time."

He adds, "As our student body becomes more diverse, how can greater equality for all be achieved?"

Share your thoughts in a blog on Bonfiire, and use #letUStalk here and in other social media. Remember, the sooner you contribute, the more time there is for other users to vote for you. The three blogs with the most "likes" win.

Competition Info:

• Click here to enter.
• The closing date is 11 September 2015, but the sooner you enter, the better your chances to win.
• The best answer wins R1 000 and the runner-up R500.
• The question forms part of a series of three during the second semester of 2015.

The 23^rd Meeting of the International Council on Virus and Other Graft Transmissible Diseases of Fruit Crops (ICVF) was held in Morioka, Japan in June 2015. This focussed fruit tree plant virology conference was an opportunity for representatives from 21 countries to assemble for discussions and share research results. Local scientists from different institutes presented the plenary talks that ranged from plant quarantine and certification schemes to disease management of viruses and viroids of fruit trees. From the scientific talks it is clear that the most deleterious virus in fruit tree remains Plum pox virus with two sessions dedicated to it. Dr Hano Maree, of the SU Department of Genetics, presented in the first session of the conference on Pome and Stone fruit viruses. His presentation was about the application of next generation sequencing (NGS) to study plant pathogen interaction. It was interesting to note the increased uptake of NGS technology among the researchers with two whole sessions dedicated to the application of NGS in diagnostics. There were also focussed sessions on phytoplasmas and two sessions on virus diseases in small fruits (cane and strawberries).

Delegates also undertook a site visit to the National Agricultural and Food Research Organization's (NARO), National Institute of Fruit Tree Science - Apple Research Station. The tour was very informative especially the disease orchard where disease symptoms of viruses and viroids are studied in different cultivars of apples. Researchers were guided through the whole breeding process at the facility, which is similar to most places in the world. The most successful apple cultivar bred on the premises was the 'Fuji' cultivar and the original tree is still standing (see photo).  The 'Fuji' apple was bred from a cross between 'Ralls Janet' and 'Delicious' in 1939 and was originally named 'Tohoku No. 7' (1958), and officially registered as 'Fuji' in 1962. The 'Fuji' apple is the most popular apple cultivar in Japan constituting 50% of the apple production and in 2001 became the most popular apple worldwide.

Photo: Some of the delegates attending the ICVF conference in Japan in front of the original 'Fuji' apple tree at the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science - Apple Research Station, Japan. Photo taken by Prof Yoshikawa.

Since Jenny King has become head coach of the women’s team at Steinhoff Maties Hockey she has coached her team to 15 Western Province Grand Challenge titles.

Steinhoff Maties Women took this year’s WPGC title when they won both their matches this past weekend. Even with one game left to play Maties have an unassailable lead over closest competitor Somerset West. 

This is the fifth consecutive year that Maties have won the league title, and the 31st overall.

“Every title is special because you start with a new team each year,” said King, who also won the league a few times as a player when she studied at Stellenbosch University. 

"This one is special because a very young group of players developed into a top contending side in a very short space of time and peaked with their best hockey in the match that really counted.”

Maties got 35 points from 13 matches. With one game less, Somerset West has 25. Maties won 11 of their matches and drew two.

King didn’t want to single out any players, but said that experienced players Erin Hunter, Tarryn Glasby, Illse Davids and Quanita Bobbs lead by example and had a great influence on the youngsters. 

“Last season’s captain Hanli Hattingh also played a big role in the latter part of the season,” King added.

​Maties’ last game of the season is on Thursday against WPCC.

Matie student Justine Palframan and coach Mohamed Ally left for China this week to participate in the IAAF Senior World Championships to be held at the iconic Bird’s Nest stadium in Beijing from 22-30 August.

Palframan, who won the 400m event at the World Student Games in Korea recently, and discus thrower Victor Hogan (coach: Kaai Preller) will represent Maties Athletics at the competition.

According to Ally, Palframan qualified for both the 200m and 400m with personal best times this season and is one of only six SA women to have qualified for the 2015 championships. She is also the national record holder in both of these events.

“Victor will compete in the men's discus event after completing a successful but short European tour recently. Both Justine and Victor were part of Team SA at the previous World Championships in Moscow in 2013,” he added.

“It is a huge honour to represent your country in sport at the highest level. The Olympic Games followed by the IAAF World Champs are the highest level of sport for any athlete and most significantly features only the best athletes in the world. Both Victor and Justine has done us proud by displaying their quality as world-class athletes throughout 2015 in earning their selection.

“We at Maties Athletics wish them both all the best,” Ally concluded.

BSc Sports Science student Palframan said she is looking forward to competing in Beijing.

“My preparation has gone really well and I achieved my goal of running a personal best time in the 400m at the World Student Games. This season has been my best one to date with personal best times in the 100m, which I seldom run, as well as in my specialist events, the 200m and the 400m.

“Given the history of the venue it’s a dream for any athlete to compete there, along with any other Olympic stadium.

“On hearing that I was included in the final team (for the World Champs) the reality struck me that I would be lining up with the best athletes in my event; athletes that I look up to and have only dreamt of competing against. I now have the opportunity to test myself against the best in the world.”

Ilhaam Groenewald, Chief Director: Maties Sport, congratulated the athletes and wished them well.

Photo credit: Stellenbosch Centre for Photographic Services

The Minister of Basic Education Ms Angie Motshekga is not unaware of or unwilling to admit that there are major challenges facing the South African education system.

She spoke at a conference on 'Quantitative Applications in Education Research' organised by ReSEP, a research group on Social Economic Policy situated within the Department of Economics at Stellenbosch University (SU), and co-hosted by the Programme to Support Pro-poor Policy Development (PSPPD) on Tuesday 18 August.

"The Department of Basic Education (DBE) prides itself on its successes. However, learners' performance shows that more needs to be done. We need a deeper understanding of what is wrong and how we can do things better. We need your knowledge and skills," she told researchers.

The conference offered an opportunity to people from different disciplines and environments – educationalists, economists, government officials, policy-makers, etc. – to come together and share their research and knowledge.

Some of the issues that were discussed over the two days were the quality of education, educational interventions, skills development and employment, the dropout rate, teacher training, the impact of poverty and other social ills on education and measurement tools such as the Annual National Assessments (ANA).

One of the most sobering statements made at the conference was that of Prof Servaas van der Berg, lead researcher at ReSEP and occupant of the National Research Chair in the Economics of Social Policy at SU, who said that in South Africa research (as inferred from ANA results) shows that a child's educational trajectory has already been established by Grade 4.

ANA results generally show that the "foundation phase is doing OK", but the picture dramatically changes between Gr 3 and Gr 6, and becomes even bleaker in Gr 9.

"By grade 4 we can predict with fair accuracy who will one day pass matric with matric exemption," he said.

Data inferred from ANA shows that the top quintile (least poor, fee-paying) schools perform much better than the lower quintile (poor, no-fee) schools and that this inequality grows over time.

"The odds are stacked against poor children. We need investment in the foundation phase to change these trajectories," he argued.

Minister Motshekga acknowledged that there are major issues around the quality of education, as indicated by regional as well as national tests, and explained that the DBE's initial focus had been on access – that no child be turned away from school for whatever reason.

She joked that she also fears the tests and its results, but argued that despite all its flaws it gave officials some kind of focus point: "We have no other primary school tool (equivalent to a matric exam) to kick-start conversation around curriculum."

But it is not all doom and gloom.

Minister Motshekga emphasised that the DBE is committed to working harder and smarter and that they are very keen to collaborate with researchers. She was also optimistic about the cohort of young, passionate teachers entering the profession, bringing with them a new kind of energy.

However, she believes young teachers in the foundation and intermediate phase need specialised practical instruction to prepare them for the South African education system.

Some of the main conclusions of the conference were:

• Education research has come a long way in the past 20 years and data has expanded dramatically;
• There is a greater awareness of the possibilities offered by data and greater involvement of people from all spheres;
• Engagement between researchers and policy-makers must be encouraged;
• A better understanding of ANA is needed: What it's supposed to do, what its limitations are and how it can be used optimally.​

A seminal work on agricultural education and training (AET) in Sub-Saharan Africa has recently been published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing and the Institute for African Development (IAD) at Cornell University in the USA.

Towards Impact and Resilience: Transformative Change In and Through Agricultural Education and Training in Sub-Saharan Africa is edited by Prof Frans Swanepoel, Director of the African Doctoral Academy at Stellenbosch University (SU), Prof Zenda Ofir, Honorary Professor at the School for Public Leadership (SU) and Prof Aldo Stroebel (IAD and the NRF).

The book, consisting of 17 chapters with 22 esteemed international contributors, focuses on clarifying the challenges, issues, and priorities of AET in sub-Saharan Africa, and provides suggestions for practical solutions that can help guide organisations interested in furthering AET for agricultural development on the continent. It discusses the African context within which a transformed AET system needs to be located; analyses African and international experiences that are relevant to identified AET needs and challenges; dissects AET models that may hold important lessons; and addresses the main critical issues that will impact upon AET in sub-Saharan Africa.

The book is uniquely positioned to add to a call to action on AET, to pull together state-of-the-art knowledge from within and outside sub-Saharan Africa. Also to advance "out of the box" thinking about the principles, values and character of AET for development, with an emphasis on models that can help to cultivate leaders and change-makers at all levels of the agricultural sector.

Various international experts attended the book launch at STIAS, among them Prof Adipala Ekwamu, Executive Secretary of RUFORUM, and Prof Alice Pell from Cornell University. Prof Monty Jones, the 2004 World Food Prize Laureate, provided the foreword.

"This book is a clarion call for reinventing Africa's food systems through agricultural education and training that is ample, entrepreneurial, and empowering. Everyone who cares about African agriculture, from ministers to extensionists to investors, will find a handy summary of the sector's challenges. They will find also a roadmap to the investments most urgently needed to upgrade AET systems while boosting the talents of the women and men who deliver Africa's food, nutrition, and agribusinesses. Opportunities for reinvention cannot be overstated. Smallholder farmers depend on it. Africa depends on it. The global food supply depends on it too." —Vicki Wilde, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA

Stellenbosch University remains a popular destination for international students. As in previous years, students from around the world will start or continue their studies at the university this year. They will enroll for full-degree or short-term mobility programmes.  

Swelling the ranks of Maties international population more than 300 students will be welcome to the university at a Welcome and Orientation session hosted from 20-22 January. Students from as far as Syria, the Czech Republic, India, Sweden and Madagascar are expected to attend the three-day event hosted by the Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO).   

The information session will be an introduction to living and studying in Stellenbosch and South Africa with the PGIO giving information about campus facilities, social events, culture shock, safety and security as well as practical information on how to adjust.

Angelo Jephtha, Coordinator: International Student Life and Success, says students will be informed about life at the university, the community and country. Another orientation session will be hosted from 14- 16 July for the second semester intake of international students.   

Apart from full-degree studies, international students have a wide variety of options for non-degree purposes. These include:

• semester exchanges for students from a partner universities,
• studying as a freemover where students pursue select modules,
• affiliated research: where the purpose is a short-term academic or research visit,
• attending a summer school,
• studying through tailored programmes,
• or studying through affiliated organisations, such as CIEE or AIFS.

More information about the International Welcome and Orientation here

The African Doctoral Academy (ADA) hosted 25 doctoral students for a week-long seminar on Research to Policy to Practice during the first week of January 2015. These young scholars, representing 20 nationalities, are part of the Southern African Young Scientists Summer Programme (SA-YSSP) – an initiative of the National Research Foundation (NRF www.nrf.ac.za/), Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA http://www.iiasa.ac.at/). In 2014, the ADA presented a similar policy seminar. Based on its success, the ADA was approached to present this second seminar.  

The young scientists explored the increasingly important domain of science communication with well-known science communicator Ms Marina Joubert, to assist in communicating not only to the public and media, but also to policy makers and potential funders. In addition, aspects of bridging the research-to-policy-to-practice gap was led by Prof Alice Pell (Cornell University) and Dr Lindiwe Sibanda (FANRPAN http://www.fanrpan.org/).

The seminar culminated with a high level policy dialogue facilitated by the DST and the NRF, with prominent participants from the science and technology community in South Africa, including Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of DST, Ms Malebona Precious Matsoso, Director-General of the Department of Health, and the CEOs of the SA Medical Research Council, Human Sciences Research Council and Agricultural Research Council. The Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President of Botswana, Ms Botshelo Mathuba, represented the Southern African Development Community in these discussions. Sessions focused on strategic policy discussions in the areas of water, food security, energy, health and agriculture.

A high-level roundtable by heads of research councils and government, led by the DG of DST, formed part of the policy dialogue, to determine the future investment strategy of South Africa in systems analysis capacity. Prof Frans Swanepoel, Director of the ADA, serves on South Africa's National Member Organisation to IIASA.

The SA-YSSP is an annual three-month initiative that contributes to the establishment, growth and enhancement of high level strategic research networks internationally. Launched in 2011 by Minster Naledi Pandor, SA-YSSP develops capacity in systems analysis at the PhD, postdoctoral and supervisory levels through research conducted in the areas of the DST grand challenges, and aligned with current research programmes at IIASA. The overall programme is hosted by the University of the Free State, this third year of the 3-month course brought together 22 scholars from 20 nationalities.

Photo – the SA-YSSP delegates, presenters and members of the DST and NRF.

Stellenbosch University (SU) signed a memorandum of understanding with Ningxia University in China, paving the way for closer cooperation between the two institutions.

Prof Leopald van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor, and Mr Robert Kotzé, Senior Director of the Postgraduate and International Office, met with a delegation from Ningxia Province on 29 January 2015. The delegation was led by Prof Xie Yingzhong, Vice-President of Ningxia University, who signed a general agreement outlining a framework for a possible partnership agreement.

Welcoming the delegates to Stellenbosch, Prof Van Huyssteen, highlighted SU's commitment to innovation and referred to the university's unique position with regards to Viticulture and Oenology, the latter something the Chinese university has expressed an interest in.

SU has partnership agreements with 11 Chinese universities, offering mobility opportunities for staff and students of the university and Chinese partner universities.

See a list of Chinese partner universities here.

Picture: Signing a memorandum of understanding are in front: Prof Xie Yingzhong, Vice-President of Ningxia University and Prof Leopald van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor. At the back, from left, are: Mr Zhang Huaiyi, Director of the Asian  African Affairs Division at Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office, Mr He  Jian, Vice-Secretary General of the General Office of the CPC Ningxia Commitee, and Mr Robert Kotzé, Senior Director of the Postgraduate and International Office. 

The senior leadership of the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway's oldest and largest tertiary institution, visited Stellenbosch University (SU) from 10 – 11 February 2015. Led by Dr Ole Ottersen, Rector of UiO, a delegation of 11 people, including deans of six faculties and senior directors, visited the campus, meeting with members of the SU leadership team and academic representatives from six SU faculties. They were accompanied by Mrs Trine Skymoen, Norwegian Ambassador to South Africa.

The University of Oslo has had strong cooperation with partners in South Africa for two decades. The significance of this visit coinciding with the 25 celebration of late president Nelson Mandela's release from prison, reiterates the commitment of both countries on national level to work together on global challenges such as poverty alleviation and good governance. Part of their visit to Stellenbosch was to strengthen the relationship with SU at a leadership level within research and education and to look for areas of future cooperation.

Photo:

Building networks - At the back from left  are: Prof Louise Warnich, Dean: Faculty of Science (SU); Dr Berit Karseth, Dean of the Faculty of Educational Sciences (UiO); Mr Einar Meier, Senior Adviser (UiO); Ms Huba Boshoff, Coordinator: Key International Partnerships (SU); Prof Håkon Glørstad, Director of the Museum of Cultural History (UiO);  Dr Ståle Petter Lyngstadaas, Research Dean: Faculty of Dentistry (UiO); Prof Ashraf Kagee, Chair: Department of Psychology (SU); Dr Aud Tønnesen, Dean of the Faculty of Theology (UiO); Dr Arne Bugge Amundsen, Dean, Faculty of Humanities (UiO);  Prof Christa van der Walt, Chair: Department of Curriculum Studies (Language Education and Language in Education- SU); Prof Julie Claassen, Faculty of Theology (SU); Prof Arne Bjørlykke, Director of the Museum of Natural History (UiO); and Mr Robert Kotzé, Senior Director: Postgraduate and International Office(SU). In front from left are: Dr Frode Vartdal, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (UiO); Prof Leopoldt van Huyssteen, Acting Rector and Vice-Chancellor (SU); Dr Gunn-Elin Aa. Bjørneboe, University Director (UiO); Dr Ole Petter Ottersen, Rector (UiO), Ms Trine Skymoen, Norwegian Ambassador to South Africa; Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research and Innovation (SU); and  Dr Fanny Duckert, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (UiO).

Sixteen of Stellenbosch University's (SU) brightest students will form part of a think tank with their peers at KU Leuven, Belgium that will envision 'The future of the city' across continents.

The think tank stems from a preferential partnership agreement between SU and KU Leuven and is a unique feature of this level of partnership and distinguishes it from partnerships focussing more on student mobility programmes. The student partnership is managed by the Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO), the Division for Student Affairs and Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert Institute (FVZS Institute).

The Stellenbosch students will interact with 15 KU Leuven students for the duration of 2015, exploring the theme 'The Future of the City'. They will participate in monthly seminars on the SU campus, where invited speakers will cover an array of topics exposing them to different disciplines.  The discussions will culminate in a two week visit to KU Leuven in November, where the Matie students will meet their Belgium counterparts.

Welcoming "think tankers" at the launch event, Huba Boshoff, Coordinator: Key International Partnerships at the PGIO, highlighted the institutional partnership of more than 20 years. "KU Leuven was one of the very first universities that engaged with Stellenbosch University. We have nurtured and fostered what is now called a preferred partnership." She told the students, who count among the top 20% in their faculties, that the think tank is a great opportunity for them and the university. "You are the best of the best and I hope the think tank can create lasting networks. We look forward as to how you, the student community engages with this partnership."

Dr Leslie van Rooi, Director of the FVZS Institute, says the think tank signals the start of an enriching and interesting experience for the Maties student population.

Also present at the launch event were Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector (Research & Innovation), Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice Rector (Learning & Teaching), Dr Ludoph Botha, Senior Director of Student Affairs, Prof Louise Warnich, Dean: Faculty of Science, Prof Johan Hattingh, Dean: Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Johan Fourie, Senior lecturer at the Department of Economics who will lead the think tank's academic programme.

Professor Clive Barnett, Professor of Geography and Social Theory at Exeter University in the UK, spoke on the topic "What people think about their city and future of the city".

Picture:

Attending a meet-and-greet session for the Stellenbosch/ KU Leuven think tank were from left Prof Louise Warnich, Dean: Faculty of Science and Ilze Bekker, a postgraduate Education student who is part of the think tank. 

Stellenbosch University students will get an opportunity to visit universities from around the world - without having to leave the campus. Representatives of universities from the continent, Europe, the US, Asia and Australia will be at the university on 19 March, taking part in an International Mobility Fair in the Neelsie Student Centre. They will give first-hand information about study opportunities at their respective institutions. The activities form part of International Week, celebrated by the Postgraduate and International Office (PGIO) from 16-19 March. 

Adding flavour to International Week activities the PGIO will also host the ever popular International Food Evening. This cooking feast will take visitors on a tour around the world with Maties international students preparing food from their home countries.

Students can look forward to a week filled with international activities says Jan Willem van der Westhuizen, Coordinator: Student Exchanges and Mobility Programmes at the PGIO. "There will be various information sessions on campus, information stalls at faculty buildings, direct engagement with student leadership and other interesting events."

Van der Westhuizen says International Week serves as an opportunity to create awareness about international study opportunities abroad. "The world is an awfully big place. How much of it have you seen?"

Coinciding with International Week the PGIO will also host the annual Stellenbosch International Academic Networks (SIAN) meeting from 17-21 March. The meeting will see international partners engage with SU staff members on topics focussing on internationalisation during workshops and social events.

Programme with dates and venues for International Week can be found here