Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently committed to a number of important future collaborations with Stellenbosch University (SU) through its Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE). The collaborations will include amongst others, the continued financial support of CRUISE by Stats SA beyond 2019 and the establishment of the first permanent office of a future African Division of the Regional Science Association International at CRUISE.

The announcements were made following a recent symposium that was jointly hosted by Stats SA and ISIbalo-CRUISE at Stias in Stellenbosch.

During the symposium, the Director of CRUISE, Prof Manie Geyer, discussed the state of regional science in Africa. He demonstrated how, for historical reasons, Africa has been lagging behind other regions of the world in regional science education since the emergence of the discipline after the Second World War.

"This makes a concerted effort to advance the discipline on the continent an imperative," says Geyer.

As part of the drive to advance regional science education, CRUISE was established at SU in 2009 with the financial support of Stats SA. It is primarily a research centre and is situated in the Geography and Environmental Studies Department. The Centre focuses on social and economic development issues locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and places a strong emphasis on quantitative empirical research. It has been active in research since its inception and has maintained a strong output level. CRUISE forms part of the ISIbalo group of institutions whose main aim is to advance the use of statistics in research in Africa.

While CRUISE is considered a research centre it also has an important teaching function. According to the agreement between the University and Stats SA, one of CRUISE's responsibilities is to capacitate government officials in the field of urban and regional development and planning. To this end, CRUISE started offering a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Science from 2011 and since then 67 students have either qualified or are in the process of obtaining a degree as urban and regional scientists, with several hailing from different parts of Africa.

Representatives involved in the high-level meeting between Stats SA and the University to discuss future collaborations, included the Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla,  SU Rector, Prof Wim de Villiers, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof Johan Hattingh, and Geyer.

"At the meeting the introduction of CRUISE as part of the ISIbalo group of statistical organisations was explained. The development of the Centre over the past six years was also discussed and Mr Lehohla expressed his organisation's satisfaction with the rate at which urban and regional scientists are trained and the number of publications that have been published since CRUISE's establishment," said Geyer.

CRUISE has since added a new Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning to its programme portfolio and is in the process of adding a new Master's degree in Development Demography as well as PhD programmes in urban and regional science, planning and demography in 2017.

At the meeting the logic of untangling CRUISE from the current structure in which it is situated was also discussed.

"The parties agreed that it had become a necessity to establish a new Department of Planning and Urban and Regional Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which in turn would enable CRUISE to independently brand urban and regional science and planning at the University," explained Geyer.

"It was agreed that the work that was started at CRUISE should continue. To further advance the cause of urban and regional science in South Africa and Africa two crucial decisions were taken at the meeting. First, a commitment was given by the Statistician-General for the continued financial support of CRUISE by Stats SA after the first contract period ends in 2019. The second was that a position will be created in the structure of Stats SA that would serve as the first permanent office of a future African Division of the Regional Science Association International. This office will be situated at CRUISE, a step that would further cement the long term working relationship between Stats SA and the University."

Photo: From the left are the representatives who were involved in the high-level meeting between Stats SA and the University regarding CRUISE. They are Prof Manie Geyer, Director of CRUISE; Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector; Mr Pali Lehohla, Stats SA Statistician-General; and Prof Johan Hattingh, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. (Anton Jordaan, SSFD)

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New roster for examination available 

As announced on Friday last week the final examinations of 2015 have been postponed by exactly one week. The first exam opportunity runs from 3 – 25 November; and the second opportunity from 26 November until 12 December. This arrangement is applicable to all examinations, including continuous and flexible assessments. For the majority of students only the date of the exam changes to a week later, but the day of the week, the time and venue remain exactly the same as per the original roster. Faculties will contact students directly if exceptions are applicable to their specific programmes. All enquiries about the exams should be directed to faculties please.

The new roster for the first and second examinations is available. 

Unfortunately it will not be possible to schedule exam opportunities for individual students to accommodate travel arrangements or holiday plans. Click here for a copy of the official letter from the University related to the postponement of the exams that may assist to change your travel bookings without additional charges.

Identification at exam venue

Students should please identify themselves (student card, identity document or driver's licence) and tick their names off on a class list before entering the exam venue. It is therefore suggested that students arrive at the venue about 20 minutes earlier than the starting time of the exam.

Residences to remain open for longer

All residences will remain open for a week longer, until the end of the first exam opportunity. Students who take the second exams will need to transfer to the designated residences after 25 November as is the usual arrangement for the second opportunity.

Counselling service

The Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) is providing special counselling services free of charge to students subjected to trauma last week. Lizzie Witbooi can be contacted to arrange sessions – lgwitbooi@sun.ac.za / 021 – 808 4511. Her offices are at 49 Victoria Street.

Graduation ceremonies    

The graduation ceremonies will proceed from 8 – 11 December as scheduled. Final-year students who take the first exams and meet all the requirements of their degree programmes will be able to graduate in December. The usual arrangements will apply to students in their final year that take the second exam opportunity and they will graduate in March 2016. 

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​Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently committed to a number of important future collaborations with Stellenbosch University (SU) through its Centre for Regional and Urban Innovation and Statistical Exploration (CRUISE). The collaborations will include amongst others, the continued financial support of CRUISE by Stats SA beyond 2019 and the establishment of the first permanent office of a future African Division of the Regional Science Association International at CRUISE.

The announcements were made following a recent symposium that was jointly hosted by Stats SA and ISIbalo-CRUISE at Stias in Stellenbosch.

During the symposium, the Director of CRUISE, Prof Manie Geyer, discussed the state of regional science in Africa. He demonstrated how, for historical reasons, Africa has been lagging behind other regions of the world in regional science education since the emergence of the discipline after the Second World War.

"This makes a concerted effort to advance the discipline on the continent an imperative," says Geyer.

As part of the drive to advance regional science education, CRUISE was established at SU in 2009 with the financial support of Stats SA. It is primarily a research centre and is situated in the Geography and Environmental Studies Department. The Centre focuses on social and economic development issues locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and places a strong emphasis on quantitative empirical research. It has been active in research since its inception and has maintained a strong output level. CRUISE forms part of the ISIbalo group of institutions whose main aim is to advance the use of statistics in research in Africa.

While CRUISE is considered a research centre it also has an important teaching function. According to the agreement between the University and Stats SA, one of CRUISE's responsibilities is to capacitate government officials in the field of urban and regional development and planning. To this end, CRUISE started offering a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Science from 2011 and since then 67 students have either qualified or are in the process of obtaining a degree as urban and regional scientists, with several hailing from different parts of Africa.

Representatives involved in the high-level meeting between Stats SA and the University to discuss future collaborations, included the Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla,  SU Rector, Prof Wim de Villiers, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Prof Johan Hattingh, and Geyer.

"At the meeting the introduction of CRUISE as part of the ISIbalo group of statistical organisations was explained. The development of the Centre over the past six years was also discussed and Mr Lehohla expressed his organisation's satisfaction with the rate at which urban and regional scientists are trained and the number of publications that have been published since CRUISE's establishment," said Geyer.

CRUISE has since added a new Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning to its programme portfolio and is in the process of adding a new Master's degree in Development Demography as well as PhD programmes in urban and regional science, planning and demography in 2017.

At the meeting the logic of untangling CRUISE from the current structure in which it is situated was also discussed.

"The parties agreed that it had become a necessity to establish a new Department of Planning and Urban and Regional Science in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, which in turn would enable CRUISE to independently brand urban and regional science and planning at the University," explained Geyer.

"It was agreed that the work that was started at CRUISE should continue. To further advance the cause of urban and regional science in South Africa and Africa two crucial decisions were taken at the meeting. First, a commitment was given by the Statistician-General for the continued financial support of CRUISE by Stats SA after the first contract period ends in 2019. The second was that a position will be created in the structure of Stats SA that would serve as the first permanent office of a future African Division of the Regional Science Association International. This office will be situated at CRUISE, a step that would further cement the long term working relationship between Stats SA and the University."

Photo: From the left are the representatives who were involved in the high-level meeting between Stats SA and the University regarding CRUISE. They are Prof Manie Geyer, Director of CRUISE; Prof Wim de Villiers, SU Rector; Mr Pali Lehohla, Stats SA Statistician-General; and Prof Johan Hattingh, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. (Anton Jordaan, SSFD)

Dewidine van der Colff decided in her Grade 10 year that she wanted to work in nature, even though she wasn't sure how or what course to take.

After completing an MSc (cum laude) in Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch University, she now works as a Red List Scientist for the Botanical Society of South Africa at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

She agreed to answer a few questions about her study and career choices so far:

Why and when did you decide to study for a BSc-degree?

In grade 10 I made my mind up that I wanted to work with and in nature. I wasn't sure precisely how or what course to take, but I knew I needed to study science.

The trigger for this very specific career choice was brought on when I witnessed an entire wetland being demolished to build low cost housing. I started to wonder: "Who makes the decisions to build where and who decides which natural areas are important or not?"

I then asked my relatives to assist me in finding information about careers and degree courses focusing on the study of the natural environment which resulted on me enrolling for a BSc degree at Stellenbosch University.

Did you already have a good idea of what you wanted to become one day when you registered for a BSc-degree?

Not precisely, I knew I wanted to focus on plants (botany). I inherently love animals but would not want to do research focused on them. My interest in botany opened many doors for me: in my third year, my lecturer gave me the opportunity to join her postgraduate students on their fieldtrips to be a field assistant. Along the way I met volunteer groups working on plant monitoring as part of the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), which is the project I'm working for today.

What are your qualifications thus far and where did you obtain them?

I completed my MSc degree cum laude at Stellenbosch University in 2014. I plan on starting my PhD in the next two years, and I'm currently searching for an appropriate project which affords me the opportunity to study abroad to get international research exposure.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

I was an environmental officer at Rheinmetall Denel Munitions. I was a bursary holder and had a work-back commitment for a year after I completed my BSc (Hon) degree.

What is your current employment? Please describe a typical day in your life.

I'm currently a Red List Scientist, employed by the Botanical Society of South Africa, seconded to the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). Within SANBI more specifically within the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW) Programme which falls under the Threatened Species Programme. This may come across as a very complicated employment structure, but all of these entities work together towards updating and maintaining South Africa's Red Lists for Plants and Animals.

A typical day for me would be to go into the field (which would be an area of natural/transformed veld somewhere in the country) to search for a specific plant species and to collect data pertaining to red-listing criteria such as population size and threats that relate to its risk of extinct.

The field data is then processed back in the office for doing an IUCN Red List species assessment according to prescribed procedures (a scientific process by which you use all available data on a species to determine its risk of extinction. This information is used in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and for conservation projects at the provincial and national level. The work I am doing is a combination of field work, data analysis and reporting.

What is exciting about your work? What is really challenging?

I travel a lot, which is both exciting and challenging. Our work takes us to very remote places in order to find our special plants and to collect valuable data about these species that may ultimately be valuable to protect their future existence. The main challenge is that being away from home for long periods can place a strain on personal relationships. But it is amazing to see places that I know I would never had visited if I wasn't doing this job. This job also provides the opportunity to network with a great variety of stakeholders and is a great opportunity for personal development, and to learn new skills continuously.

Your advice to learners considering a career in science?

Get information about career options by asking questions of people from a diversity of jobs and lifestyles. Use the information resources that you have to find out about possible career options - Google it! Try and do this before Grade 10, when you need to select your subjects. Please, I'm a botanist and I don't like mathematics, but it is essential. I worked hard and I passed it. Don't be afraid to do mathematics and science at school, practice makes perfect. And you broaden your options when you get to matric if you have those two subjects.

Tips for students entering the job market?

Always be proactive, don't wait for things to come to you; there are many Bobs and Marys out there, so you need to make people around you know your worth. Utilise every opportunity that you get to show your skills and don't be scared to tackle something that is challenging as you will learn from mistakes and grow in experience.

Also, do not suffer in silence. It is better to inform your supervisor early on that you don't understand, rather than waiting a day before your deadline. So don't be afraid to ask questions early on. People remember the one who did the job correctly, not the one who did it the fastest; I learnt that the hard way.

What would you have done differently during your years at university?

I would have taken part in more social and volunteer activities while being a student. This broadens your way of thinking as studying is not just about the academic side but understanding people and learning how to communicate thoughts. Also learning to think differently about the same topic is something you learn during exchanges on hiking trips and at other such events. You also get to know non-science students when you do things outside of your department.

Anything else you would like to add?

Never say you couldn't study further because there wasn't funding or that you didn't know. In this day and age there are so many sources of information and too many opportunities to apply for bursaries to say you didn't know.

Dear Alumni

The recent protests by students at Stellenbosch University were unprecedented and have immediate and far-reaching consequences for the university and our faculty.

Though many of these consequences are technical, the major issues are on the human level: in the relationship between our students and the university, between our students and our staff and about the environment within which we all work at the university.

The immediate challenge is the one week postponement of the final exam. In a faculty with almost 8000 students, this is a significant challenge that has caused disruptions for our students, their families and our staff.

I know you share my wish that our students perform at their best; therefore I would like to assure you that the faculty staff are co-operating to the greatest possible extent to minimise disruptions and solve problems as soon as possible. We have committed ourselves to providing the greatest possible support, both academically and emotionally, to our students who are now preparing for the final exam. The university offers various support services including professional psychological support for students and staff who need help to deal with issues around the protest.

The university is furthermore committed to the option of a graduation in December for students who have worked hard to that end, and we will honour that obligation.

Although the events of last week have been disruptive and upsetting to many, they offer us the opportunity to reflect on our faculty and the university. We have heard that many students feel excluded from the university due to, inter alia, intense financial pressure and we recognise this as an opportunity to think creatively about a more inclusive and better future for our faculty and university.

Our faculty's 90th anniversary is an excellent time to seize this opportunity. We are justly proud of the faculty's history, and we would like to appeal to you to support our talented staff and students. Our vision is to create a faculty that will be accessible to all South Africans and international students, in which we continue to improve the quality of our research and teaching with a view to making a much greater impact on our society.

With best wishes

Stan du Plessis

Dean: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences 

After completing an honours degree in geology at Stellenbosch University, Zipho Tyoda took a taxi to the Council for Geosciences and asked for training.

Fortunately for him, they were just looking for interns to work on a project, compiling a Geohazard Atlas of South Africa using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing. He also jumped at the opportunity to register for an MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing at SU, as part of the project.

Today Zipho is deputy-director: Earth Observation at the Department of Science and Technology. He agreed to answer a few questions about his studies and subsequent career path.

Why and when did you decide to study for a BSc-degree?

When I was in grade 12 I knew I wanted to follow a career in science, but I was not sure in which field. My love for biology and mathematics was the major reason for choosing BSc as a field of study.

What is your final degree and when did you obtain it?

My final degree is an MSc in GIS and Remote Sensing from Stellenbosch University and I obtained it in March 2013.

Did you know what you wanted to do when you registered for a BSc-degree?

No, not really. In 2004 I registered for BSc Biological Sciences at the University of Transkei (now Walter Sisulu University). The following year I moved to the University of Stellenbosch and registered for a BSc in Geology.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

My first job was an internship at the Council for Geosciences. I basically took a taxi to their offices and asked for training. Fortunately they were working on a project to compile a Geohazard Atlas of South Africa using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing. I was absorbed in that project and also given an opportunity to do an MSc in that field.

What is your current employment? Please describe a typical day in your life.

I now work as a Deputy-Director: Earth Observation at the Department of Science and Technology. This is more a policy-orientated job.

Our goal is to develop a vibrant and competitive space science (and applications) industry in South Africa. My responsibilities include compiling strategies for developing South Africa's earth observation industry, meeting with national and international stakeholders and developing strategies for human capital development in space science and its applications.

What is exciting about your work?

I am excited about seeing all the different products that are derived from satellites, with huge benefits to South Africa and the world at large. We work with research institutions such as the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) and this gives us an opportunity to meet South Africa's top players in Earth observations and space sciences. We get to travel and meet international stakeholders such as the Group on Earth Observation (GEO), based in Switzerland. It is really exiting to be part of this global initiative. Every year we hold a national space science week and get to meet learners from all over the country. We try to inspire them to consider space science and earth observation as a career and show them the many benefits of space science.

Your advice to learners considering a career in science?

We live in the age of technology. Most fields of science apply modern technologies, such as satellite-derived data, computer modelling and APP development. It would be very wise to add introductory modules in software engineering, programming, modelling, remote sensing and geographic information system to your curriculum. Most industries require basic knowledge of these fields.

Tips for students entering the job market?

The competition is tough out there. Always try your best. Be innovative when looking for a job: don't just rely on sending CVs, approach the companies and sell your skills.

What would you have done differently during your years at university?

I would have been more focused on solving problems on a societal, environmental and global scale with what we were taught, instead of just aiming for a pass.​

Chantelle Pretorius completed an MSc in Biochemistry at Stellenbosch University in 2012 and immediately started working at Kapa Biosystems in Cape Town. Kapa Biosystems is a biomedical research firm with their head office in the SA, offices in the USA and UK and distributors of their products all over the world. She agreed to answer a few of our questions:

What and when did you study? 

I completed the following degrees at Stellenbosch University: BSc Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2009) (Cum Laude); BSc Hons Biochemistry (2010) (Cum Laude) and MSc Biochemistry (2012)

What was your work experience prior to applying for a job?

I had no professional job experience before I started working at Kapa Biosystems. I only tutored and mentored groups of students at the university.

What is your current employment?

I am the Supply Chain Manager at Kapa Biosystems and based at their production facility in Cape Town. I am responsible for the monitoring of every aspect of the company's purchasing, distributing, inventory flow and demand forecasting for Finished Goods. I plan, schedule and monitor daily manufacturing activities for the component manufacturing department and arrange weekly shipments of Finished Goods to distribute inventory between all the Kapa offices. I am applying my knowledge and background in Biochemistry and experience at a research facility to understand the applications of all products manufactured and sold by Kapa Biosystems as well as the implications to customer satisfaction if products are not of a high quality or if delivery is delayed. Kapa Biosystems products have applications in medical research and diagnostics. The Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Quantitative PCR and PCR markets in which Kapa operates are fast-moving and customers are results driven and have high expectations with regards to product quality and sample throughput.

How did you get the job?

During the last few months of my MSc, I applied for the position of Bulk Manufacturing Scientist that was advertised on Kapa Biosystems' website. I worked in this position for 18 months where I was responsible for the physical bulk manufacturing of all Kapa products i.e. Stock solutions, Buffers and ReadyMixes. In February 2014 I was promoted to Bulk Manufacturing Manager for 10 months where I managed the Bulk Manufacturing department by leading a team of 3 scientists and planning and coordinating daily manufacturing activities. In January this year (2015) I was again promoted to a new position, Supply Chain Manager.

What is exciting about your work?

I get to be myself. I am a perfectionist and like to plan and organise things. My current position allows me to do just that and my fellow colleagues share the same personality traits.

Your advice to students who are entering the job market:

Prepare well for interviews and be yourself. 

What would you have done differently during your years at university?

I would have used some of my spare time to complete additional short courses like project management, supply chain management and people management.

Dear Alumni

The recent protests by students at Stellenbosch University were unprecedented and have immediate and far-reaching consequences for the university and our faculty.

Though many of these consequences are technical, the major issues are on the human level: in the relationship between our students and the university, between our students and our staff and about the environment within which we all work at the university.

The immediate challenge is the one week postponement of the final exam. In a faculty with almost 8000 students, this is a significant challenge that has caused disruptions for our students, their families and our staff.

I know you share my wish that our students perform at their best; therefore I would like to assure you that the faculty staff are co-operating to the greatest possible extent to minimise disruptions and solve problems as soon as possible. We have committed ourselves to providing the greatest possible support, both academically and emotionally, to our students who are now preparing for the final exam. The university offers various support services including professional psychological support for students and staff who need help to deal with issues around the protest.

The university is furthermore committed to the option of a graduation in December for students who have worked hard to that end, and we will honour that obligation.

Although the events of last week have been disruptive and upsetting to many, they offer us the opportunity to reflect on our faculty and the university. We have heard that many students feel excluded from the university due to, inter alia, intense financial pressure and we recognise this as an opportunity to think creatively about a more inclusive and better future for our faculty and university.

Our faculty's 90th anniversary is an excellent time to seize this opportunity. We are justly proud of the faculty's history, and we would like to appeal to you to support our talented staff and students. Our vision is to create a faculty that will be accessible to all South Africans and international students, in which we continue to improve the quality of our research and teaching with a view to making a much greater impact on our society.

With best wishes

Stan du Plessis

Dean: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences 

The management and deans of SU decided on Friday 23 October that the start of the final examination for 2015 would be postponed by a week, as will the second examination opportunity.

This includes all forms of assessment (exams, continuous and flexible assessments, and assignments). Individual faculties will make the necessary arrangements and handle enquiries.

Students' academic support services, for example the various libraries and study centres, will be open from Saturday 24 October. All administrative and professional support services will continue as usual from Monday 26 October.

As usual, students who meet all the degree requirements at the first exam opportunity, will graduate in December. The SU Management is attempting to avoid postponing the December graduation ceremonies by a week. An announcement in this regard will be made on Tuesday next week.

• Detail information to follow on the University's website at www.sun.ac.za

On Friday, Prof Wim de Villiers, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, announced that the University will immediately apply that the interdict be lifted. The University obtained the interdict earlier this week to have students removed from the Admin Building at the University.   

He addressed a large group of protesting students near the Arts Building in Merriman Street in Stellenbosch and said that the interdict is lifted in light of the peaceful protests on the University's campuses.

Prof De Villiers apologised to the students for the trauma caused when action was taken against students to have them removed from the building.  

With regard to student fee increases, Prof De Villiers said that the University supports students' demand for a 0% increase and that management will discuss the impact of the announcement by the State President.  

The University was closed for the afternoon.

​​Anruné Liebenberg and Ilse Hayes, members of the Maties Parasport Club and room mates at the IPC Athletics World Champs in Doha were crowned world champions in their respective events this week.

Liebenberg, a student in the Faculty of Education, won South Africa's first gold medal at the championships on Monday in the 400m (T47). She ran her best time this season (56.65s) to beat Cuba's Yunidis Castillo​ (59.79) and Russia's Alexandra Moguchaya (1:01.50).

Dr Suzanne Ferreira, her coach, said she is very proud of Anruné and excited about the strategy she applied.

"This achievement is a stepping stone to Rio 2016. Anruné is ecstatic and very proud of her first gold medal at a world championship."

On Tuesday Liebenberg also qualified for the final of the 200m (T47).

Hayes, who was named SU's Sportswoman of the Year for people with disabilities recently, won South Africa's second gold medal in the 200m (T13). Her time of 25.24s was good enough to beat the USA's Kym Crosby (25.93) and Morocco's Sanaa Benhama (26.35). Another Maties Parasport athlete Anika Pretorius came 5th in the same event.

Hayes will run in the heats of the 100m (T13) on Thursday. She is the world record holder in this event.

By the end of Tuesday (day 6) South Africa's medal count stood on eight, with seven of these medals going to Maties Parasport athletes.

Dyan Buis won two silver medals (long jump and 200m in the class T38), while Reinhardt Hamman won silver in the shot put (F38). Zanele Situ and Fanie van der Merwe both won bronze medals in the javelin (F54) and 200m (T37) respectively.

Caption

Ilse Hayes and Anruné Liebenberg

​​​​​Morné Chamberlain, who graduated from SU in 2009 with an MSc in Computer Science, landed his first job as a software developer at BlackGinger in Cape Town. He answered a few questions about his studies and career.

 Background - what did you study, when did you finish?

I studied for a BSc degree with a focus on Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, and graduated in 2006. In 2007 I completed my BScHons degree with a focus on Computer Science, and in 2009 my MSc degree, also with a focus on Computer Science.

Describe your work experience prior to your official job search process?

I mainly did some freelance programming work in my spare-time. I also worked as a part-time software developer, on a contractual-basis, for a company in Technopark.

I am currently employed as a pipeline and R&D software developer at a company called BlackGinger in Cape Town. We work in the computer animation, visual effects and post-production industry.

How did you get the job?

I heard about the company during the course of 2009 and by the end of the year they were hiring developers in preparation for work on the feature film Aftershock. I sent in my CV and after a successful interview and internship I received a permanent position. I have since also worked on Free Willy: Escape from Pirates Cove and A Women, a Gun and a Noodle Shop.

What is exciting about your work?

In this industry you are exposed to many facets of computer science, from project management databases to physics simulation implementations and computer graphics algorithms. Ultimately your work contributes to the production of television commercials and features.

Your advice to students who are entering the job market:

You will never know if you would have gotten a position if you do not apply for it, so do not just think about it, do it! You should be used to hard work by the time you finish your degree, and you should not expect your career to be successful without hard work. Your studies are the gateway to your career, not the culmination of it.

What would you have done differently during your years at university?

I have only fond memories of my time at Stellenbosch, but there are a couple of things I would have done differently. I would have taken some of the physics courses that were not part of my standard course load, and I would have taken part in some of the computer science contests (such as Google Code Jam and the Standard Bank IT Challenge).

Read about other BSc alumni:

Going place with a BSc degree in Computer Science​ (Carl Crous)

Nick Wayne, the Chairperson of the 2015/16 Tygerberg Student Council (TSC), has a personal goal for his year in this leadership position – to create a culture of participation and development where the individual is represented and the needs of all heard.

Nick, a third-year medical student, recently became one of just a few Tygerberg students ever to be appointed to the Council of Stellenbosch University.  He will hold one of two appointments made annually by the Stellenbosch Student Representative Council (SRC).

He sees his leadership role at the Tygerberg Campus as guiding students and student leaders towards the TSC's vision which is based on the Vision 2030 of Stellenbosch University (SU). "The three values stipulated in this vision, namely to be inclusive, innovative and future focused, should encompass the way we do things and how we want things to be done," says Nick.

Tackling issues head-on

Nick feels strongly about inclusivity and would like to help develop a welcoming campus where everybody will experience a sense of freedom and can communicate open and honestly.  "We are not afraid of debate and I think it is necessary to talk about contentious issues," Nick says.

Two new TSC portfolios have been created to address the matter of inclusivity. The Critical Engagement portfolio has been split into two positions in order to place more focus on three relevant topics, namely gender identity and sexuality; consciousness; and women empowerment.

He welcomes student activism and encourages students to speak up about problems they experience. "I would welcome them because there is a reason why movements such as Open Stellenbosch exist, and for that reason we are here to support students to voice their opinions."

Communication from the TSC is done in parallel medium, "but our point of departure will always be in English." Nick explains that the demographics of the Tygerberg students are quite different to that of the Stellenbosch Campus. "Tygerberg has got pressure, but we also have the resources to function well in both languages." 

Nick also notes that there are people on the Tygerberg Campus that feel left out and those are the students they want to reach. "We have to make Tygerberg a place where students feel welcome when they come to this campus."

Members of the TSC and Osler (the private student organisation on campus) have been in collaboration to assess the needs of Osler students. After a census they came to the conclusion that there is an overwhelming need for an open, recreational space for Osler students during the day and a safe and comfortable space at night for when they are on call. "We have been in contact with the faculty regarding this and are currently in the process of establishing a permanent space," Nick says.

Another first for this year's TSC is the implementation of a guideline that every project that is embarked upon must have its carbon footprint assessed. "Even if it is a small event such a sports day, we assess the carbon footprint for record keeping and in order to inform decision making."

Nick would like to steer the TSC to become the best student representative body in the country, not only at the university. "We are a smaller campus with an incredible amount of potential and I am positive that this will work in our favour," Nick says.

The new TSC team are all campus leaders who have held previous leadership positions. According to Nick about 80 percent have had a wide range of experience and "are exceptionally knowledgeable folk". 

The 2015/16 TSC members are:

Nick Wayne: Chairperson | UK Chair | SRc

Carmen Kennedy: Vice Chairperson | UK | Portfolio Manager | Discipline

Conwill van den Heever: UK | Chief Financial Officer | Student Services

Lungelo Mlambo: UK | Secretary General | Critical Engagement

Bryan Castle: UK | Sport | Prestige

Unine Odendaal: TABR Chair | Student Success

Michael Wood: Policy Unit Chair | Culture

Jamie-Leigh Michau: Media & Marketing

Akua Gyan: Student Development | Critical Engagement

Elsje-Marie Geldenhuys: Tygerberg Societies Council | Postgraduate and International Students

Sethu Mlonzi: Junior Student Support | Student Success | Policy Unit

Majorie Smal: PK Chair | VoogdeSteve Jacobs: Community Interaction Manager

Shaahid Kajee: Campus Interaction & Sustainability Manager

Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie had both her breasts and her ovaries removed to avoid getting cancer. Genetic testing revealed that Jolie – who had lost her mother, grandmother and aunt to cancer – had a mutation in her BRCA1 gene, which means she had a higher than 80% chance of developing the disease herself.

This radical preventative measure highlighted the important role that genes play in the development of cancer. And with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we look at how your genes can affect not only your risk of getting breast cancer, but are also an important consideration when planning treatment for breast cancer patients.

Inherited breast cancers are rare and as in Jolie's case, BRCA1 as well as BRCA2 are the most well-known hereditary genes linked to breast cancer.

"Between five and 10% of people have mutations in the BRCA1 and 2 genes that increase your chances of developing breast cancer by between 50 and 85%," says Prof Maritha Kotze of the Division of Anatomical Pathology at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).

There are founder mutations in the BRCA1 and 2 genes of most Afrikaner and Ashkenazi Jewish patients with familial breast cancer in South Africa, which means that a faulty gene occurs at a higher-than-normal rate in affected individuals from these populations due to a communal ancestor carrying the original mutant gene.

The molecular make-up of a cancer tumour also plays an important role in the treatment of breast cancer.

"Each individual breast cancer has its own unique molecular make-up," explains Prof Hannah Simonds, head of the Division of Radiation Oncology at the FMHS and Tygerberg Hospital. "One of these molecular types is the HER2 breast cancers, which accounts for about 25% of all breast cancers. Receptors on the HER2 cell surface help control the healthy growth of breast cells, but when the receptor is faulty it can cause cells to grow uncontrollably, causing HER2-positive breast cancer."

About two-thirds of breast cancers are hormone sensitive and rely on the expression of oestrogen and progesterone receptors to grow. All breast tumours are routinely tested for these hormone receptors and when cells test positive it is called oestrogen receptor (ER) positive and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive breast cancer. Cells without these receptors or HER2 overexpression are called triple-negative breast cancer, which are frequently found in BRCA1 mutation carriers classified as the basal-subtype.

HER2 status could roughly subdivide hormone-positive breast cancers into the luminal A (HER2-negative) and luminal B (HER2-positive) subtypes.

It is important to know which individual subtype is responsible for breast cancer, as the different subtypes respond differently to various treatment methods. For example, patients with the triple-negative cancers usually have to undergo chemotherapy, while most patients with HER2-positive cancer will benefit from combining chemotherapy with anti-HER2 treatment such as Herceptin.

Herceptin is very expensive and costs in the region of R400 000 for a full year of treatment. It is currently only available in the private sector and medical schemes cover testing for HER2 in order to determine whether this treatment is really necessary.

Luminal A cancers usually respond well to hormone therapy alone, while chemotherapy is generally added for patients with the luminal B breast cancers.

"Development of highly sophisticated molecular testing is now available in the form of the Oncotype Dx or Mammaprint. They can test a combination of molecular markers of an individual breast tumour and determine if chemotherapy is necessary or not," says Simonds.

"You can see how knowing the genetic origin of cancer can improve your treatment outcome for breast cancer and potentially save patients hundreds of thousands of rand," says Kotze.

All breast cancers are tested for ER, PR and HER2 using standard immunohistochemistry methods, but the molecular subtypes are most accurately identified through sophisticated genetic testing that comes with a hefty price tag. Although medical schemes cover certain assessments, genetic testing is out of range for the large majority of South Africans.

onsidering the financial implications of molecular testing, it is important to weigh up the benefit against the cost before deciding to be tested. Breast cancer patients with inconclusive results about the molecular origin of their cancer will get the most benefit and the results can help doctors make treatment decisions that may potentially save money by not giving unnecessary treatment.

The cost for BRCA mutation tests can range from between R2 000 for known mutations to R12 000 for a full gene screen, and further tests to determine if chemotherapy or other targeted treatment will be useful can go up to R35 000.  

Knowing the genetic cause of breast cancer can also be useful for a patient's family members. BRCA is the most common hereditary breast cancer gene and a strong family history can indicate an increased risk for this type of cancer.

Women who have not developed cancer are encouraged to go for genetic counselling to determine whether they will benefit from genetic testing.

"Having a gene mutation doesn't mean you will get the disease. In fact, all of us have at least five to 10 gene mutations with the potential to make us sick, but because of environmental and other clinical and genetic factors, it will never cause any problems," says Kotze.

Managing your risk for breast cancer

• More research is showing that being overweight increases a woman's chance of developing breast cancer, while a healthy weight reduces the risk. This is particularly relevant to non-familial and postmenopausal ER-positive breast cancer. 

• Research found that women with the BRCA mutations who were active and maintained a healthy weight during adolescence only developed breast cancer much later in life than women who were inactive and were overweight. This suggests that a healthy weight even holds benefit for hereditary breast cancer.

Media enquiries:

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

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

Photo: GL Stock Image

Nick Wayne, the Chairperson of the 2015/16 Tygerberg Student Council (TSC), has a personal goal for his year in this leadership position – to create a culture of participation and development where the individual is represented and the needs of all heard.

Nick, a third-year medical student, recently became one of just a few Tygerberg students ever to be appointed to the Council of Stellenbosch University.  He will hold one of two appointments made annually by the Stellenbosch Student Representative Council (SRC).

He sees his leadership role at the Tygerberg Campus as guiding students and student leaders towards the TSC's vision which is based on the Vision 2030 of Stellenbosch University (SU). "The three values stipulated in this vision, namely to be inclusive, innovative and future focused, should encompass the way we do things and how we want things to be done," says Nick.

Tackling issues head-on

Nick feels strongly about inclusivity and would like to help develop a welcoming campus where everybody will experience a sense of freedom and can communicate open and honestly.  "We are not afraid of debate and I think it is necessary to talk about contentious issues," Nick says.

Two new TSC portfolios have been created to address the matter of inclusivity. The Critical Engagement portfolio has been split into two positions in order to place more focus on three relevant topics, namely gender identity and sexuality; consciousness; and women empowerment.

He welcomes student activism and encourages students to speak up about problems they experience. "I would welcome them because there is a reason why movements such as Open Stellenbosch exist, and for that reason we are here to support students to voice their opinions."

Communication from the TSC is done in parallel medium, "but our point of departure will always be in English." Nick explains that the demographics of the Tygerberg students are quite different to that of the Stellenbosch Campus. "Tygerberg has got pressure, but we also have the resources to function well in both languages." 

Nick also notes that there are people on the Tygerberg Campus that feel left out and those are the students they want to reach. "We have to make Tygerberg a place where students feel welcome when they come to this campus."

Members of the TSC and Osler (the private student organisation on campus) have been in collaboration to assess the needs of Osler students. After a census they came to the conclusion that there is an overwhelming need for an open, recreational space for Osler students during the day and a safe and comfortable space at night for when they are on call. "We have been in contact with the faculty regarding this and are currently in the process of establishing a permanent space," Nick says.

Another first for this year's TSC is the implementation of a guideline that every project that is embarked upon must have its carbon footprint assessed. "Even if it is a small event such a sports day, we assess the carbon footprint for record keeping and in order to inform decision making."

Nick would like to steer the TSC to become the best student representative body in the country, not only at the university. "We are a smaller campus with an incredible amount of potential and I am positive that this will work in our favour," Nick says.

The new TSC team are all campus leaders who have held previous leadership positions. According to Nick about 80 percent have had a wide range of experience and "are exceptionally knowledgeable folk". 

The 2015/16 TSC members are:

Nick Wayne: Chairperson | UK Chair | SRc

Carmen Kennedy: Vice Chairperson | UK | Portfolio Manager | Discipline

Conwill van den Heever: UK | Chief Financial Officer | Student Services

Lungelo Mlambo: UK | Secretary General | Critical Engagement

Bryan Castle: UK | Sport | Prestige

Unine Odendaal: TABR Chair | Student Success

Michael Wood: Policy Unit Chair | Culture

Jamie-Leigh Michau: Media & Marketing

Akua Gyan: Student Development | Critical Engagement

Elsje-Marie Geldenhuys: Tygerberg Societies Council | Postgraduate and International Students

Sethu Mlonzi: Junior Student Support | Student Success | Policy Unit

Majorie Smal: PK Chair | VoogdeSteve Jacobs: Community Interaction Manager

Shaahid Kajee: Campus Interaction & Sustainability Manager

Two Grade 11-learners from Aloe Secondary School in Kayalitsha and Bardale High School in Mfuleni came out tops in a physics quiz, presented by the Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University (SU).

Anita Mnqanqeni (Aloe Secondary School) and Mapasa Lindokuhle (Bardale High School) were part of a group of 68 girl learners selected on the basis of their marks in mathematics and physical sciences to participate in the Department of Physics' Open Day activities for Bright Sparks.

During the event the learners met with women physicists like Dr Daphney Bucher from iThemba LABS and Dr Melanie McLaren from the University of the Witwatersrand. Under the guidance of postgraduate students and lecturers in physics, they also had an entire morning to explore a variety of experiments set out in the department's laboratories. Experiments ranged from transmitting music over a laser beam, to bending a stream of water without touching it, to steering a laser beam through a maze.

Three other teams also  won prizes in the physics quiz: they were Noyi  Siphokazi (Ixolo High School), Carmen Millar (Bridge House) and Hope Johnson (New Orleans Secondary), followed by the team of Anjé Albertyn (Rhenish School for Girls), Mazamisa Esethu (Bardale Secondary School), Mauricha Jansen (Kylemore High School), Thandeka Beka (Uxolo High School) and Natasha Florence (Kylemore High School). Liza Frolicks (New Orleans Secondary), Mihlali Cekiso (Aloe High School) and Zenani Sipika (Uxolo High School) also won prizes.

After the event, Fatma Nshirimana said her most important take-home message from Dr Bucher was that "education is something that will never disappoint a woman in life".

Dr Christine Steenkamp, organiser of the event and acting director of the Laser Research Institute at SU, says almost all the learners indicated that the experience increased their interest in science and technology: "Nearly half of them said they are now convinced that women can have a successful career in physics, while 42% said they are now more positive about physics as a possible career choice for women."

The event was sponsored by the South African Institute for Physics (SAIP) as part of their Women in Physics in South Africa programme and in celebration of the International Year of Light.

Grade 11 learners Anita Mnqanqeni (left) from Aloe Secondary School in Kayalitsha  and Mapasa Lindokuhle from Bardale High School in Mfuleni (right) earned themselves first place after completing a physics quiz set by the Department of Physics at Stellenbosch University (SU) during its Open Day on 21 October 2015. With them are Dr Daphney Bucher, a physicist from iThemba LABS, and Dr Christine Steenkamp, organiser of the event and acting director of the Laser Research Institute at SU.

​Dear Student

Yesterday afternoon the University could bring a rough week of protest to a close with the intervention of the Rector, making a number of far-reaching and groundbreaking announcements. This brought calm to the campus and laid the foundations for an atmosphere of consolidation and healing. We have to accept that the protest, on campus and wider afield in the country, in some cases brought about big and painful disruptions for the Faculty that I deeply regret and apologize for, evoked deep emotions among students and staff alike, not only among participants in the protest, but also among those who did not participate.

Accordingly I asked each staff member in the Faculty to act with the greatest circumspect, extending to all students opportunities to catch up on outstanding work without penalty or prejudice, and to help create the space for students to participate in debriefing sessions and to make use of counselling. These aspects of support are of the utmost importance, because I know that many of you are uncertain of yourselves, in many instances traumatised, and fear "retaliation by examination". I regret to mention this, but it has been brought to my attention that a lecturer of this university threatened students yesterday by saying this: "You just wait. I will get you in the exams." It is self-evident that we cannot tolerate such an attitude in our Faculty, and that an attitude like this should be exposed and eradicated.

Of immediate importance for us is the announcement that exams have been postponed by a week.

​In order to implement this concession to your best interest, I would like you to do the following:

1. To make contact as soon as possible with your lecturers for whom you have outstanding work. I have asked them to accommodate all students that approach them for help with outstanding work.
2. Further, you should know that I gave instructions that any decisions about deadlines or refusals that have been made prior to this announcement must be reversed, and immediately communicated to you, with a cc to your Departmental Chair and me. This is a Dean's concession that is available to all students. If you experience any problems in this regard, please take it up with your Departmental Chair.
3. Furthermore: I have asked lecturers to make arrangements about deadlines that are fair, taking into account that you may have outstanding work in more than one module. Please give all of your lecturers the full picture of their outstanding work.
4. I have asked lecturers to make available sessions for catch-up and revision during next week. Many students have approached me to specifically request this.
5. Please also note that the whole of next week is kept open with no assessments of any kind. Next week is intended for catch-up and preparation; it is not a bonus to extend the exam period.

If I may repeat: during the past week we have experienced extraordinary circumstances, and it is of the utmost importance that we accommodate all of you without penalty or prejudice. Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary responses from us, and I know that lecturers will contribute in a big way towards this, because we are clearly still in a context in which we cannot act as if it is "business as usual".

I trust that you will understand any difficulties that may emerge during the course of next week, and I apologise in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused. If you experience any problems, please take them up with your lecturer or Departmental Chair, or bring them to me if they cannot be resolved on Departmental level.

I take it as a given that we will mutually cooperate with one another in the spirit of Friday's settlement to take our Faculty and our University forward in a positive and constructive manner. I know that there are still many issues within and around the University that must be addressed, but let us tackle them after exams have finished

All of the best with catching up and the exams that lie ahead.

Johan Hattingh
(Dekaan)

PS: We are working on the possibility of a debriefing session for students early next week, as soon as Monday, with possible follow up sessions. Details will be communicated later.

​Dear Colleagues

Yesterday afternoon the University could bring a rough week of protest to a close with the intervention of the Rector, making a number of far reaching announcements. This brought calm to the campus and laid the foundations for an atmosphere of consolidation and healing. We have to accept that the protest, on campus and wider afield in the country, in some cases brought about big and painful disruptions for the Faculty that I deeply regret and apologize for, evoked deep emotions among students and staff alike, not only among participants in the protests, but also among those who did not participate

Accordingly it is important that each staff member in the Faculty acts with the greatest circumspect, extending to all students opportunities to catch up on outstanding work without penalty or prejudice, and helping to create the space for students to participate in debriefing sessions and make use of counselling. These aspects of support are of the utmost importance, because students are uncertain of themselves, in many instances traumatised, and fear "retaliation by examination". I regret to mention this, but it has been brought to my attention that a lecturer of this university threatened students yesterday by saying this: "You just wait. I will get you in the exams". It is self-evident that we cannot tolerate such an attitude in our Faculty.

Of immediate importance for us is the announcement that exams have been postponed by a week.

In order implement this concession to the best interest of students, I request the following:

1. To accommodate all students that approach you for help with outstanding work. Students will approach you individually. It is impossible to centrally draft a list of participants in the protests, or of those who were affected by it.
2. Any decisions about deadlines or refusals that have been made prior to this announcement must be reversed, and immediately communicated to students involved with a cc to your Chair and me. This is a Dean's concession that is available to all students.
3. To make arrangements with students about deadlines that are fair, taking into account that work in your module may not be the only work that may be outstanding. Please ask students for the full picture of their outstanding work.
4. To make available sessions for catch-up and revision. Many students have approached me to specifically request this.
5. To keep the whole of next week open with no assessments of any kind. Next week is intended for catch-up and preparation; it is not a bonus to extend the exam period.

If I may repeat: during the past week we have experienced extraordinary circumstances, and it is of the utmost importance to accommodate students without penalty or prejudice. Extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary responses from us. We are clearly still in a context in which we cannot act as if it is "business as usual".

I trust that you will understand this request, and I count on it. I take it as a given that we will mutually cooperate to take our Faculty and our University forward in a positive and constructive manner.

With best wishes

Johan Hattingh
(Dean)

​

Originally from Pretoria, Lombard recently completed his M.Mus at Royal Northern college of Music in the UK. Prior to that Matthew obtained his Teachers Licentiate in Music for alto saxophone with distinction from the University of South Africa in 2011. He also holds a Bachelor of Music degree with distinction from the University of Pretoria (completed in 2009). Ball is a freelance accompanist, chamber musician and piano teacher currently residing in Pretoria. Matthew and Annalien have a full performing schedule nationally, and are active promoters of South African repertoire for the classical saxophone, having performed many new works by South African composers. 

Matthew Lombard and Annalien Ball will be performing an exciting programme, consisting of some great classical saxophone repertoire, which will include repertoire from South African composers, a unique feature of the programme. The programme includes works by Marcello,  Whelan, Lovedale, van der Watt and many more. 

The concet will take place at 20:00 Saturday 7 Nov in the Endler Hall. Tickets are R75 & R100 and are available at Computicket and the door. For more information contact concerts@sun.ac.za.