​According to Prof Kayode Omoregie, academic director of the International Management Programme of Lagos Business School (LBS), the purpose of visiting the University of Stellenbosch Business School is to give participants the opportunity to learn about doing business in Southern Africa.

 "The primary objective is to give Nigerian entrepreneurs and top level business executives, who are thinking about taking their businesses out of Nigeria into other parts of Africa, an opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to achieve that objective," says Prof Omoregie.

The preference of LBS to partner with USB  on its IMP programme is explained by Prof Omoregie: "One of the reasons why we have decided to partner with USB is simplythat we know for a fact that USB is one of the very best schools in South Africa with deep knowledge and expertise on doing business in Southern Africa."

The experience of having visited the school in the past also played a part, he says, "because it has been a very positive experience".

The other business school that LBS partners with on its IMP programme is Nanyang in Singapore. "The primary reason for choosing Singapore is simply that 40, 50 years ago or so Singapore and a number of countries in Africa, including Nigeria, were pretty much on the same level as far as their development phase and aspirational levels were concerned.Within a period of 50 years or so Singapore has been able to take its country and businesses from third world status to first world status."

Prof Omoregie says that although Nigeria and SA have the biggest economies in Africa – accounting for about 50% of the GDP  – businesses in SA are regarded as somewhat more sophisticated.

"They have achieved more international posturing than businesses in Nigeria. So we are asking ourselves a simple question: What can we learn from South Africans on how they were able to take their businesses internationally?"

​Last week USB's Careers Office hosted a presentation by Dale Fobian, a life coach and counsellor, on how you can optimise your MBA.

Fobian explained the two key career derailment risks that confront employees and organisations today:

• Longer runs: Employees are staying in role 30% longer today
• Steeper rises: Employees often take on significantly bigger and broader responsibilities when promotions do occur.

"The reality is that we can't support a promotion-based culture. We want employees to start thinking about their career in terms of growth instead of narrowly focusing on how to get the next promotion," he said. 

About the current career lansdcape Dale added that both employers and employees are dissatisfied with today's careers. "Seventy-five percent of heads of HR anticipate an upcoming internal skills shortageand only 30% of employees are satisfied with future career opportunities."

The Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at the Faculty of Theology, SU recently launched a selection of essays, Hermeneutics and Social Transformation by Prof Bernard Lategan.

​South Africa is a case in point where a major social transformation is taking place. Existing value systems are disintegrating or are under serious threat. A new public ethos seems to be emerging although the contours of such an ethos are all but clear.

Theology has much to learn but also much to give to the development of a functional public ethos and a healthy civil society. If the pragmatic intention of New Testament texts is taken seriously also in modern situational contexts, the study of these documents has indeed an important contribution to make the process of social transformation.

Bernard Lategan remains one of the most widely respected public intellectuals in SA. He completed his doctoral studies in the Netherlands, served as Professor of New Testament at UWC (1969-1977), and lectured at several SA and European Universities in Ancient languages, linguistics, literature and theology. From 1978 - 1991, Lategan was Professor of Biblical Studies at SU. Before his retirement in 2009, Lategan was founder and first director of STIAS. He was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from SU in 2009.  

The book was published by Sun Press and is available from Marita Snyman, E-mail: maritasnyman@sun.ac.za at R275. 

​

The HonsBPA/BCom programme started the Bellville contact this week with a total number of 169 Hons students registered for 2016 and a new intake of 122 students.

At the formal opening Dr Zwelinzima Ndevu, the new programme head for the Hons programme, welcomed the students. He extended his well wishes to all, and encouraged students to proactively find ways to balance their busy work schedules with the compact study programme. He also encouraged students to build strong networks with their fellow students during the contact week, to ensure continuing support during their studies.

Prof Johan Burger, Director of the SPL, provided an overview of the requirements of the Hons programme. He emphasised the importance of the research component of the Hons programme where students can use their knowledge to start the path towards practical solutions for problems in their work environment. Prof Burger then congratulated the 2015 Hons group that had set a new record graduation number: A total of 94 students graduated from the HonsBPA/BCom programme in 2015.

The event was also used to recognise the 2016 best students per module and certificates where presented by Prof Burger to the following students based in the Western Cape vicinity. For the respective modules, the top student(s) for 2015 are:

• Research Assignment: L Gerrans & NN Davids (73%)
• Organisational Design: DM Jacobs (79%)
• Leadership and Change Management: S Goldblatt & ED Lekala  (76%)
• Information and Communication Technology: L Gerrans & J Petersen (83%)
• Sustainable Development: ME Cilliers & H Heyns (85%)
• Economic Governance: ME Cilliers (79%)
• Local Governance: BJ Brown & MB Sheraton (81%)
• Political Governance: ED Lekala (73%)
• Project Management: MB Sheraton (96%)
• Financial Management & Cost Accounting: EA Jeneker (83%)
• People Management: J Petersen (83%)
• Public Policy Management: LM Ntsabo & ZS Ndlovu (79%)

The certificates for best students that are based in the Gauteng vicinity will be presented at the Pretoria contact week opening ceremony next Monday 29 February.

The award for the Dux student of 2015 is sponsored by the Public Sector division of PricewaterhouseCoopers who have a longstanding relationship with the SPL. Mr Pieter Strauss (Partner/Director: PwC) from the PWC congratulated the new Hons students on selecting to attend what he regards as the best public sector school in South Africa. He remarked that students with the SPL Hons degree are well recognised in the market and that many past students have become valued clients of the PwC.

Mr Strauss proudly announced Mr Daniel Malan as the Dux student for 2016 with a final average mark of 75% (Cum laude).

 Mr Malan in his acceptance speech described his experience of the SPL as follows:

 "I'd like to say that it's been a great privilege to have been involved with the School of Public Leadership since 2009. The School is much more than an academic department – it's there, on the ground, busy to strengthen the public sector in South Africa through innovative interventions and practical training programmes – of which this Honours is one of them. I would like to encourage you to be on the lookout for opportunities for engagement outside of your studies – as there are many. The Stellenbosch Good Governance Forum which is a knowledge and learning platform promoting public sector innovation and partnerships, the 2016 Winelands Conference on Governance of Transitions in a Complex World and the Breakfast Discussion series come to mind."

 He encouraged the new Hons students to use the many opportunities for practical exposure offered by the SPL, to interact with fellow students during the contact week, and to use new knowledge and understanding to improve South Africa.

The ceremony was formally closed by Dr Ndevu, who extended thanks to Ms Lydia Meyer (Programme Administrator) for all her hard work and support to the students and to Ms Rosslyn Abrahams and the other support staff for their assistance to the contact week and function.

 This set the scene for some well-deserved relaxation and socialisation at the cocktail function.

The Swiss-based Brocher Foundation has been home from home for many leading academics across the world. Over the space of a year, this will include two researchers from the Desmond Tutu TB Centre at Stellenbosch University.

Applied research ethicist, Lyn Horn has recently returned home from a month at the Brocher Foundation, while Sue-Ann Meehan, principal investigator for the Community AIDS Prevention Project, COMAPP, is looking forward to a month-long sojourn.

The Brocher Foundation is on edge of Lake Geneva. The chateau, built in the late 1800s and set on a three hectare estate, was a summer retreat. It became the Brocher Foundation in 2006 and has hosted over 200 researchers from many universities since then.

Being invited to spend time at the Brocher Foundation is prestigious and the month or two away is a wonderful opportunity to have time to do research and connect with fellow researchers from across the globe.

"It is really beautiful. My office looked straight onto the lake. It was a very positive experience and gave me some breathing space to research as well as network with everyone from ethicists and philosophers to anthropologists and sociologists," said Horn, who has been working as a research ethicist on the HPTN 071 Population Effects of Antiretroviral Therapy to Reduce HIV Transmission (PopART) study. However, during her time at Brocher, Horn focused on ethical aspects of genomic research.

Horn said she spent time with researchers from Denmark, Canada, China, the UK and Sweden, some of them completing their PhDs and others doing research on various projects.  About 12 researchers a month stay together in an expansive house on the estate, each with their own rooms.

The Brocher Foundation hosts scientists and experts examining ethical, legal and social implications of the development of medical research and biotechnologies.

Meehan said she was greatly looking forward to her time at the Foundation next year.

"I feel privileged to be going there.  I'm looking forward to bouncing ideas off other researchers and to be able to think deeply and critically assess the meaning of my work."

Meehan will be working on her PhD which is examining the contribution of a community-based HIV counselling and testing initiative in working towards increased access to HIV counselling and testing in Cape Town.

Ultimately, Meehan would like to see the findings from her PhD providing input into policy guidelines on HIV counselling and testing in South Africa.

She is also hoping to visit the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, where some of the participants a month are invited to deliver lectures.

Apart from soaking up the tranquillity of Lake Geneva, researchers often spend some time in the Swiss capital. Horn said she found a visit to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva both moving and fascinating.

The Brocher domain is made of eight buildings - the main house called Villa, the Brocher Centre commissioned in 2006, the lodge, the Chaumière (formerly the garage), the Orangerie, the Pavillon des bois (formerly the woodshed), the boathouse and finally the Gloriette.

Over 30 universities worldwide, as well as international organisations, are partners of the Brocher Foundation, which also welcomes over 700 experts a year for its scientific events.

Caption: The Brocher Foundation is on edge of Lake Geneva

This article appeared in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' digital publication VIVUS. Visit www.sun.ac.za/FMHSpublications to subscribe.

​Prof Barbara Huisamen has been nominated as an Honorary Fellow of the Physiology Society of Southern Africa (PSSA). This very prestigious award was made in recognition of her continuous support and contribution to the organisation and the field of physiology research over many years.

In addition to her involvement in physiological research, Huisamen also served as the PSSA treasurer for a term of four years.

“It is a great honour to receive this award, which is bestowed to only one person per year,” says Huisamen, an associate professor in the Division of Physiology and a chief specialist scientist at the Medical Research Council.

“I started with my PhD studies at a late stage in my life, and won the PSSA’s Wyndham competition in the first year of my studies, which was the beginning of my association with the society,” says Huisamen.  The Wyndham award is given to a young researcher who delivers the best oral presentation at the annual conference

The following year, in 1992, she won a prize, sponsored by the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS), to attend an international congress in Glasgow, Scotland,

Since then, either Huisamen or a student in the research group have every year presented their work on cardiovascular complications of obesity and diabetes in pre-clinical research at the annual PSSA congress.

Huisamen explains that the research is focussed on two areas.  The group does basic research on heart functions and insulin resistance and the other focus area is pre-clinical research on nutraceutical and pharmacological products for treatment of Diabetes Mellitus II to determine risk factors of the drugs.

Photo: Prof Barbara Huisamen has been nominated as an Honorary Fellow of the Physiology Society of Southern Africa

This article appeared in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' digital publication VIVUS. Visit www.sun.ac.za/FMHSpublications to subscribe.

The Maties Open Day is the ideal opportunity for Grade 11 and 12 learners to gain valuable information on university studies, career choices, bursaries and loans; student fees; residence placement, sporting events, accommodation, student associations, student life, and much more

Here are all you need to know about Open Day 2016:

INFORMATION SESSIONS:

FACULTY EXHIBITIONS:

WELCOMING TENT
Start your Open Day journey here! Exhibitions will be at the tent in front of the Conservatoire.
 
SUPPORT SERVICES:
Bursaries and Loans; Student Fees; Residences; Student Council; Student Counselling; Language Centre; Advisory Service – International School Systems
OTHER:
Academia; USB-ED

ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
All exhibitions will be at the Arts and Social Science building.

EDUCATION
All exhibitions will be at GG Cilliers Building.

LAW
All exhibitions will be at Ou Hoof Gebou.

THEOLOGY
All exhibitions will be at the Theological Seminary (171 Dorp Street).

ECONOMIC AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
All exhibitions will be at the Schumann building.

ENGINEERING
FACULTY TOURS depart from the Marquees tent in front of the Engineering building, and DEPARTMENTAL DEMONSTRATIONS happen in the faculty between 09:00 and 16:00 (Download full programme from www.maties.com/events).

AGRISCIENCE
All exhibitions will be at the JH Neethling building.

Tour to the WINE FACILITIES depart 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00 from the JH Neethling building's foyer (limited space).

SCIENCE
All exhibitions will be at the JC Smuts building.

SPORT SCIENCE department's PRESENTATIONS and DEMONSTRATIONS will be at the departmental sport halls and EXHIBITIONS will be at the JC Smuts building. (Download full programme from www.maties.com).

MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCE
Exhibitions on Stellenbosch Campus takes place at tent 1 on the Rooiplein.

Exhibitions at the Tygerberg Campus
FACULTY TOURS depart hourly from Teaching Building from 9:00 – 14:00, and DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION SESSIONS happen in the faculty between 09:30 and 13:30 (Download full programme from www.maties.com).

Transport: Hourly return transport between Stellenbosch and Tygerberg campus is available between 9:30 – 14:30. Bookings via email or tel: Sandra Josias, e: tyg_studentsupport@sun.ac.za, t: 021 938 9789. Online bookings: http://goo.gl/forms/jg7E5CHdKf.

Stellenbosch: Departure point → Bus stop below JC Smuts Bridge, Merriman Street
Tygerberg: Departure point → Tygerberg Student Centre

MILITARY SCIENCE
Exhibitions will be at tent 1 on the Rooiplein.

OUTSIDE INSTITUTIONS
Exhibitions will be at tent 2 on the Rooiplein.

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
CAMPUSKEY
OTHER INSTITUTIONS:
Isa Carstens Academy; Stellenbosch Hair Academy; Stellenbosch Academy for Design and Photography; Stellenbosch Rugby Academy; Boland College; The Private Hotel School; ICA and Aleit Academy; CTU; Tswane Computer Solutions; Dell

MATIES SPORT
Visit Maties Sport at the lawn area on the Rooiplein to find what is on offer.

JS GERIECKE LIBRARY
Do not miss out on a visit of the JS Library.

EXCITING PRIZES TO BE WON
Complete the database form online at www.maties.com or on the last page of the minimum admission requirements booklet and stand the chance to win a MATIES HAMPER! Completed forms can be handed in at the General Enquiries stall in the welcoming tent or at a General Info session.

The Stellenbosch University Choir won the Fiësta Award for the best performance in classical music.

The prize was awarded on Thursday (18 February) in Pretoria at a glamorous event held in the State Theatre.

The Fiësta Awards are presented each year by the DStv channel kykNET, and it aims to reward excellent productions which were staged in a particular year at one of the country's Afrikaans arts festivals.

The SU Choir received its award for a concert held at last year's SU Woordfees. This year, the choir will again give a concert at the festival.

André Van der Merwe, conductor of the SU Choir, says: "The Fiësta Award gives great recognition to the choir members for their exceptional dedication and talent. For me, every rehearsal with this group is inspiring.

"I am very proud of this team, which proves that diversity can indeed be celebrated!"

In the category for classical music, the SU Choir competed with the Cape Town Youth Choir, a recital by pianist and SU alumnus Esthea Kruger (also presented at the SU Woordfees), as well as a performance by the Odeion String Quartet from Bloemfontein with Cape Town soprano Zanne Stapelberg.

Jana Hatting, project manager of the SU Woordfees, which is the custodian of the choir, said: "We are very proud of the choir. We have now shown that we are the best both nationally and internationally!"

The SU Choir performs on 10 and 11 March at 13:15 at the SU Woordfees. The concert will be held in the Endler Hall. Tickets are available from Computicket.

Maties Netball ended 2015 on a high after hosting the Varsity Netball Final on home turf. With the depth and experience of the present players the team is hoping to go from strength to strength in 2016.

Their second place in the Varsity Sports competition was a huge improvement on their fourth place in the USSA competition earlier the same year and their fourth place in the Varsity Sports competition in 2014.

Their consistent improvement has been ascribed to, among other things, improved fitness levels and superb coaching and support.

Under the guidance of head coach Christine Behan the team has grown tremendously since 2013. Dr Sherylle Calder from EyeGym has been involved with Maties Netball since 2014 while former Proteas coach Elize Kotzé joined the coaching staff in 2016. She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

"We're pleased that someone of Elize's stature has decided to join Maties Netball and we believe the players will gain a lot from her experience and guidance," says Karen Swart, manager of Maties Netball.

"We are looking forward to improve on our results of last year," she added.

Another possible reason for Maties Netball's improvement is the level of experience among the existing players.

This is evident in the number of players chosen for national and regional teams.

Maties' captain Juline Rossouw was included in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) squad for the World University Netball Championships (WUNC) to be held in Miami in July this year.

The final team will be named closer to the time.

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity, but realise that the hard work starts now. I'm excited about the challenge and willing to put in the effort and sacrifices needed to be successful," says Juline.

Six Maties were selected to attend the SA u.21 training camp in Pretoria in February.

Sasha-Lee Petersen, Nichole Taljaard, Stephanie Brandt, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins and Anandie Burger were included in the SA u.21 squad in preparation for the u.21 World Cup qualifiers later this year.

In interviews posted on Netball SA's Facebook site, shooter Charmaine described the u.21 training camp as an "amazing learning experience" while Nichole said it was a wonderful opportunity to "train with great players".

Maties Netball players also make up the majority of the 2016 Southern Stings squad for the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League. Included in the squad are Anandie Burger, Carla Werth, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins, Juline Rossouw, Megan Gossmann, Nichole Taljaard, Remina Stephan, Sasha-Lee Petersen, Stephanie Brandt, Cindi Pretorius and Abeline Olivier.

Maties Netball ended 2015 on a high after hosting the Varsity Netball Final on home turf. With the depth and experience of the present players the team is hoping to go from strength to strength in 2016.

Their second place in the Varsity Sports competition was a huge improvement on their fourth place in the USSA competition earlier the same year and their fourth place in the Varsity Sports competition in 2014.

Their consistent improvement has been ascribed to, among other things, improved fitness levels and superb coaching and support.

Under the guidance of head coach Christine Behan the team has grown tremendously since 2013. Dr Sherylle Calder from EyeGym has been involved with Maties Netball since 2014 while former Proteas coach Elize Kotzé joined the coaching staff in 2016. She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

She will serve as coaching consultant and has already presented a number of coaching sessions in Stellenbosch.

"We're pleased that someone of Elize's stature has decided to join Maties Netball and we believe the players will gain a lot from her experience and guidance," says Karen Swart, manager of Maties Netball.

"We are looking forward to improve on our results of last year," she added.

Another possible reason for Maties Netball's improvement is the level of experience among the existing players.

This is evident in the number of players chosen for national and regional teams.

Maties' captain Juline Rossouw was included in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) squad for the World University Netball Championships (WUNC) to be held in Miami in July this year.

The final team will be named closer to the time.

"I'm very grateful for this opportunity, but realise that the hard work starts now. I'm excited about the challenge and willing to put in the effort and sacrifices needed to be successful," says Juline.

Six Maties were selected to attend the SA u.21 training camp in Pretoria in February.

Sasha-Lee Petersen, Nichole Taljaard, Stephanie Brandt, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins and Anandie Burger were included in the SA u.21 squad in preparation for the u.21 World Cup qualifiers later this year.

In interviews posted on Netball SA's Facebook site, shooter Charmaine described the u.21 training camp as an "amazing learning experience" while Nichole said it was a wonderful opportunity to "train with great players".

Maties Netball players also make up the majority of the 2016 Southern Stings squad for the Brutal Fruit Netball Premier League. Included in the squad are Anandie Burger, Carla Werth, Charmaine Baard, Jo Prins, Juline Rossouw, Megan Gossmann, Nichole Taljaard, Remina Stephan, Sasha-Lee Petersen, Stephanie Brandt, Cindi Pretorius and Abeline Olivier.

​A hat-trick of tries by FNB Maties winger Duncan Saal was enough for the Stellenbosch-based side to defeat FNB Tuks at the Danie Craven Stadium on Monday evening. 

FNB Maties walked away with a comfortable 29-16 win to remain on top of the log in this year’s FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.

Read full report​​​.

Watch highlights video​.

FNB Maties got their third straight of the tournament while FNB Tuks remained winless after three rounds, keeping them rooted at the bottom of the table.

The result means next week’s encounter between FNB Maties and FNB UJ in Johannesburg will be between two of the three unbeaten sides in the competition. FNB Maties will be hoping Saal can carry his try-finishing skills into that crucial match.

The match kicks-off at 18h30.

Scorers:

FNB Maties:

Tries: Saal (3)

Conversions: Stapelberg (2)

FNB Tuks:

Tries: Keanan van Wyk, Corniel Els

Conversions: Joshua Stander

Teams:

FNB Maties

15 Craig Barry, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Paul Streicher, 12 Jan Venter, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Theo Stapelberg, 9 Remu Malan, 8 Jacobus van Dyk, 7 Janco Venter, 6 Beyers de Villiers(C), 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Ian Groenewald, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Neil Oelofse
Replacements: 6 Craig Corbett, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Justin Moberly, 19 Conal Brown, 20 Geor Malan, 21 Brandon Nell, 22 Christopher Smith, 23 Jacobus van der Merwe

FNB Tuks

15 Nicolaas Britz, 14 Keanan van Wyk, 13 Stedman-Ghee Gans, 12 Adrian Maebane, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 Andre Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Frederic Eksteen, 6 Ruan Steenkamp(C), 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Aston Fortuin, 3 Johan Fouche, 2 Cornelius Els, 1 Andrew beerwinkel
Replacements: 16 Jan-Frederik Enslin, 17 Stephanus Genis, 18 Pieter Jansen van Vuuren, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Carlo Engelbrecht, 21 Quaid Langeveldt, 22 Oskar Calitz, 23 Justin Forwood

Source: www.varsitycup.co.za

Photo: Anton Jordaan, SCPS

​Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi, a PhD student of the Division of Medical Physiology at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University was awarded the prize for the best publication by a postgraduate student by the Physiological Society of Southern Africa (PSSA).

The PSSA annually awards a prize for the best publication by a postgraduate student in a high impact, international peer-reviewed journal, in order to encourage postgraduate students to publish their data.

Nduhirabandi’s article, entitled “Short-term melatonin consumption protects the heart of obese rats independent of body weight change and visceral adiposity”, was published in the prestigious Journal of Pineal Research. It is based on the research done for his PhD degree under the supervision of Prof Amanda Lochner and the article was co-authored by Lochner, Profs Barbara Huisamen and Hans Strijdom.

Nduhirabandi, who hails from Rwanda, completed his undergraduate studies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, after which he moved to South Africa to do his postgraduate studies. He obtained BSc Honours from the University of the Western Cape and thereafter joined SU to obtain his Master’s and Doctoral degrees.

Photo: Dr Frederic Nduhirabandi and Prof Amanda Lochner at the SU graduation ceremony where he received his Master’s degree

This article appeared in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' digital publication VIVUS. Visit www.sun.ac.za/FMHSpublications to subscribe.

VIVUS February 2016 - read about the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' innovation, engagement and excellence. 

Latest issue of the Faculty newsletter includes:

• Research helps intensify battle against TB
• State-of-the-art scanner expands brain imaging to whole body
• Prof Mark Cotton receives A-rating
• Rory Dunbar receives HB & MJ Thom bursary

Click here  to read VIVUS.

The first issue of Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Education Research Bulletin was published recently.

Find the bulletin here.

The intention is to publish the bulletin annually. It consists of articles of between 800 to 1500 words by the faculty's academic staff members, students and postdoctoral fellows.

According to Prof Aslam Fataar, Vice-dean: Research, the aim of the bulletin is twofold: the first is to showcase the broad range of research in the Faculty, and the second is to illustrate how academics in the Faculty are making research-based connections to key aspects of our educational functioning in various formal and non-formal educational institutions, and broader connections to debates around community, citizenship, and democracy.

Articles take the form of an opinion piece. They can be reflections on theory and method, discussion of education policy and practice, community and higher education service projects or a deliberation on outreach, teaching/learning and research, teaching practice innovations, student learning, community issues, and sport science and history.

The articles in this bulletin provide a snapshot of the quality and relevance of research-based work that is being done in the Faculty. They underline the 'research-intensive' approach to the various dimensions of our work, including, teaching and learning, thesis supervision, community and higher education service and research publication.

"As one of South Africa's leading faculties of education we strive to sustain our current research orientation to our work, and we are continually involved in finding ways of improving across all dimensions of our academic work in pursuit of educational excellence, quality and relevance," says Prof Fataar. 

In 2017, the Faculty of Education will implement new Bachelor of Education Honours programmes based on a mixed / blended learning mode.  

Students will be able to register for their programme of choice either full-time (duration 1 year) or part-time (duration 2 years).

The following new programmes will be implemented in 2017:

• BEd Hons (Educational Development and Democracy) 
• BEd Hons (Educational Support) 
• BEd Hons (Foundation Phase Education) 
• BEd Hons (Language Education) 
• BEd Hons (Educational Psychology) – possibly implemented in 2018, more information to follow once accreditation has been received by the Board of Psychology

What is the Mixed / Blended Learning mode?

These programmes consist of an appropriate mix of:

• Face-to-face contact sessions on-campus
• Telematics broadcasts to existing satellite sites
• Electronic learning by using SUNLearn (the learning management system of Stellenbosch University) which includes modern teaching techniques, online discussion groups with fellow students and lecturers, electronic assignments, etc.

How will the new offering differ from previous programmes offered?

Previously students who enrolled in the BEd Hons programmes had to attend classes on campus during the evenings at least twice a week. Now, however, students only have to attend 3 weeks of contact sessions (spread out through the year during school holidays) which allows the opportunity for students from anywhere in South Africa to participate in this programme with regular contact with their lecturers.​

​Full document to follow soon.

In 2017, the Faculty of Education will implement new Bachelor of Education Honours programmes based on a mixed / blended learning mode.  

Students will be able to register for their programme of choice either full-time (duration 1 year) or part-time (duration 2 years).

The following new programmes will be implemented in 2017:

• BEd Hons (Educational Development and Democracy) 
• BEd Hons (Educational Support) 
• BEd Hons (Foundation Phase Education) 
• BEd Hons (Language Education) 
• BEd Hons (Educational Psychology) – possibly implemented in 2018, more information to follow once accreditation has been received by the Board of Psychology

What is the Mixed / Blended Learning mode?

These programmes consist of an appropriate mix of:

• Face-to-face contact sessions on-campus
• Telematics broadcasts to existing satellite sites
• Electronic learning by using SUNLearn (the learning management system of Stellenbosch University) which includes modern teaching techniques, online discussion groups with fellow students and lecturers, electronic assignments, etc.

How will the new offering differ from previous programmes offered?

Previously students who enrolled in the BEd Hons programmes had to attend classes on campus during the evenings at least twice a week. Now, however, students only have to attend 3 weeks of contact sessions (spread out through the year during school holidays) which allows the opportunity for students from anywhere in South Africa to participate in this programme with regular contact with their lecturers.​

​Full document to follow soon.

​An archaeological exhibition about the early history of Stellenbosch opened at the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch University (SU) on Tuesday (23 February 2016). The exhibition contains mostly cultural artefacts that tell an interesting story about the town and its people during the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th century. Some pieces date from the Stone Age.

Among the artefacts, which have been unearthed at the Faculty over six excavation periods since 1972, are chinaware, rice bowls, bottles, small beer glasses, smoke pipes, fishplates, and chamber pots. Some of the pieces even show that back then people were already making potjiekos (a stew prepared outdoors).

Mr Hennie Vos, town archaeologists, said many of these artefacts originate from East Asia and illustrate how eastern and western cultures met in Cape Town.

Prof Matilda Burden, Curator of the Stellenbosch University Museum, highlighted the value of the exhibition and said the archaeological artefacts tell us more about the lifestyle and interaction of ordinary town folks, slaves, and the rich magistrate and his officials.

"The exhibition lifts many veils about the lifestyle and thought patterns of generations that preceded us and laid the foundation for the town and society we live in today."   

Burden said although the exhibition is mainly based on archaeological discoveries, it is in essence a cultural history with interesting artefacts that are also a story about the lifestyle of the Khoi.

"It is a story of Simon van der Stel's search for a suitable spot for a new settlement, the story of the handing over of farms to free burghers, of the layout of a new town, of the first Drostdy and all its subsequent versions, and of devastating fires, which were the greatest enemy of people of this valley in the 17^th and 18^th century."

Describing the exhibition as a special space, Prof Hendrik Bosman, Dean of SU's Faculty of Theology, expressed the hope that it will serve as a celebration of our cultural diversity.

The exhibition will be permanent and information regarding admission and visiting times will be made available soon. A brochure about the exhibition will also be compiled later.

• For more information, please contact Helette van der Westhuizen at 021 808 9560 or hvdwest@sun.ac.za.

Photo: Some of the artefacts exhibited at the Faculty of Theology. 

Photographer: Hennie Rudman

​

The recent 42^nd Annual Congress of the South African Association of Botanists (SAAB), hosted in January at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, saw the gathering of plant scientists of national and international repute. The theme of the conference was "Biodiversity: Past, present, future" and presented botanists with the opportunity to come together and share ideas on current research developments in plant sciences. At the meeting Dr Paul Hills was elected as the new vice-president of the SAAB. According to the SAAB's constitution, this means that he is the SAAB President-Elect and will serve as president in 2017 and 2018.

Dr Hills is based at the Institute for Plant Biotechnology, Stellenbosch University. He is a plant molecular physiologist, working mainly on plants and their response to environmental cues and how these regulate their growth and development on a molecular level. Dr Hills has been serving as treasurer on the SAAB Council for the past five years. His term as president will commence from the next SAAB Congress, which will be hosted jointly by the University of the Western Cape and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in January next year. We would like to congratulate Dr Hills on his new appointment and wish him all the best with this new commitment.  

​​​Was dit 'n gesukkel om vanjaar 'n US Woordfees-programboekie in die hande te kry? 

VIVUS February 2016 - read about the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' innovation, engagement and excellence. 

Latest issue of the Faculty newsletter includes:

• Research helps intensify battle against TB
• State-of-the-art scanner expands brain imaging to whole body
• Prof Mark Cotton receives A-rating
• Rory Dunbar receives HB & MJ Thom bursary

Click here  to read VIVUS.