In September 2018 Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Student Governance at the Centre for Student Leadership and Structures (CSLS) in the Division Student Affairs (DSAf) hosted the Senior Student Leadership Development Training for the SU Students’ Representative Council (SRC) and Tygerberg Student Council (TSR). This training happens annually as soon as the newly elected SRC and TSR’s are elected. Formerly SU’s SRC and TSR held their trainings separately, but this year they decided to do it together, along with the South African Military Academy.

​George Kofi Parku, MEng student in Chemical Engineering at Stellenbosch University, was chosen as one of 25 winners in the Green Talents Science Forum, 2018. "This is a prestigious award for young researchers organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education (BMBF). The forum entails a two-week intensive research visit to top sustainability institutes in Germany and also the opportunity to meet with experts in renowned German institutions," says Mr Parku.

With his research he aims to convert plastic and non-plastic wastes into useful fuels and chemicals via pyrolysis in order to create a more sustainable energy supply. He has built a significant amount of expertise in petrochemical engineering through his experience in past research projects.

BMBF hosts the prestigious Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Developmentto promote the international exchange of innovative green ideas. The award, under the patronage of Minister Anja Karliczek honours young researchers each year. The winners come from numerous countries and scientific disciplines and are recognised for their outstanding achievements in making societies more sustainable. Selected by a jury of German experts the award winners are granted unique access to the country's research elite.

"The effects of climate change are becoming more and more visible around the world – even in Germany. This is something that this year's winners of the Green Talents competition are addressing. They are making important contributions worldwide to creating a sustainable society with their work in such areas as water management, bioenergy use and alternative economic systems. I would like to thank them all for their dedication and hope that they will continue to produce many more good ideas," said Dr Georg Schütte, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, at the award ceremony.

This year the jury has chosen 25 Green Talents from 21 different countries. 

See Mr Parku's profile here.

See all the profiles here.

The awardees in 2018 attended a two-week Science Forum from 13-27 October 2018 leading them to different hotspots of sustainability science in Germany. Furthermore, the Individual appointments provided them a platform to personally discuss their research and lay the foundations for future collaborations.

If you are interested in the Green Talents Competition 2019 please register for the Competition Alert to be informed as soon as the next submission period starts.

Photograph: George Parku (right) receiving his Green Talents Award from German State Secretary, Dr Georg Schütte.

​The exciting exhibition, “100 Artefacts for 100 years" was launched at Stellenbosch University (SU) Museum on the Stellenbosch campus on Wednesday evening (31 October 2018). Offering an interesting glimpse of SU's 100-year history, the exhibition enthralled those who attended the event.

The exhibition aims to represent the different faculties, divisions and activities at SU over the ten decades as wide as possible. However, the hundred artefacts do not each represent one of the hundred years or tell a chronological story. The date linked to each of the artefacts gives an indication of the year in which the object was made or used by SU.

The exhibition includes a touch-screen that will enable the public to test their knowledge of SU.

Prof Matilda Burden, Senior Curator: Museum Research, said the items on display will each have its own unique story to tell and is directly linked to the University. “It might not tell a one continuing story of the University, but each artefact has a story that contributes to how we know the University today."

At the launch, Prof Burden also received the Honorary Award from the e'Bosch Heritage Project for her work on the exhibition and contribution to the conservation of the natural heritage in the greater Stellenbosch region.

“I feel very honoured and thankful for the award by e'Bosch. I'm especially thankful for the opportunity of a lifetime that I had at the beginning of my career that I could study and work in a field as exciting and interesting and challenging as cultural history. It's also a great pleasure to be able to share that passion with the South African public," said Prof Burden.

The Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, Prof Wim de Villiers, who initiated the creation of the exhibition, reiterated the importance of SU reflecting on its centenary. “We're one of South Africa's oldest higher education institutions, but we have a complex history. There are highlights and low points the past 100 years and this exhibition allows us to explore both the achievements and the lessons learned from our past, so that we can go forward together in the next 100 years."

• The public is encouraged to explore the exhibition, which runs until June 2020 at the SU Museum at 52 Ryneveld Street. For more information on the exhibition, liaise with Prof Matilda Burden at 021 808 2002 or email mb4@sun.ac.za.

_________________________________________________________________________________

MORE ABOUT THE e'BOSCH HERITAGRE PROJECT

The e'Bosch Heritage Project seeks to build mutual respect and trust and to unite all the peoples in Stellenbosch and its environs by encouraging cultural events in all neighbourhoods (named dorpies for this purpose), while at the same time, creating a unifying culture and hence a unified future heritage by stimulating debate, encouraging sporting activities, environmental and local history projects, as well as the arts and crafts.

In the photo is Prof Wim de Villiers, Prof Matilda Burden and Mr Johann Murray from the e'Bosch Heritage Project.

Photo by Stefan Els.

As one of the four founding faculties at Stellenbosch University (SU), the Faculty of Education turned 100 this year during the institution's Centenary year.

On Thursday, 18 October, alumni and both current and former staff members (academic and support) celebrated the 100 years of the Education Faculty at Nooitgedacht Estate in the Stellenbosch area. The evening included speeches on the overall education field, the challenges faced by both teachers and learners and the successes attained.

In his opening address, Vice Rector: Learning and Teaching, Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, said that the entire campus community is thankful to former staff members who shaped the Faculty and made it what it is today.

“As a university, we really aim to become one of Africa's leading research-intensive institutions and this Faculty is making a great contribution in that respect. There are challenges in the higher-education sector and even within the Faculty of Education, but processes are in place to see how we can make a difference and become an even better faculty.

“You make us proud, Colleagues. We are proud of the way you serve our students and the way you make an impact in communities. Thank you and congratulations on the 100 years of education," he concluded.

The Acting Dean at the Faculty of Education, Prof Johan Malan, said: “The Faculty is characterised by a significant research profile that looks at education beyond the school environment and its interdisciplinary approach to education. The Faculty strives to play a role in education, both locally and globally, and help address education challenges, particularly in the South African context."

Prof Malan concluded with Nelson Mandela's famous quote “Education is the most powerful weapon to bring about change."

One of the speakers, Prof Nuraan Davids, also from the Faculty of Education, said that she is very privileged to be part of a dynamic department. “We focus on the philosophy of education, the sociology of education and all things to do with policy, but we are fundamentally concerned with what it is that we are actually doing as educationists."

She said that, ultimately, it is about social justice and about providing everyone with equal opportunities but that the work that they do focuses on providing both quality education and equality in education, taking into cognisance the diversity within which their students work.

“The one issue that we are confronted with in our schools today has less to do with the curriculum and more to do with the teacher. When I teach PGCE students, I always ask them, 'How do we restore the humanity of teaching?' It is all good and well to come up with policies and frameworks.

“I ask them, 'As teachers, what role do you play in cultivating humanity and are you invoking hope in those you teach? Do you teach with love and care?' That is a hard job, but I am certain that the work we do in our Department will help," she added.

The evening ended with live jazz and networking over dinner, with ample opportunity for guests to view the interesting artefacts displayed by the different departments.

Pictures taken by Stefan Els

​

The Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study has appointed Professor Edward K. Kirumira as its new Director. He will succeed Professor Hendrik Geyer who completes his final term as STIAS Director at the end of 2018. Kirumira joins STIAS from the beginning of November 2018 and will assume official duties on the 1^st of January 2019.

Edward K. Kirumira is Professor of Sociology and outgoing Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Makerere University in Uganda, a position he has held for five years. Before that he was also the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences for eight years.

He studied at the Universities of Makerere and Exeter, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He obtained his PhD in Sociology from Copenhagen University in collaboration with Harvard University. He specialised in population and reproductive health, and has done extensive interdisciplinary research on HIV/AIDS, emergent diseases and international health issues, health-seeking behaviour, poverty and rural-development studies. He has published widely in local and international scholarly journals.

Included among many prestigious national and international appointments, Kirumira is a member of the Partnership Committee for HIV & AIDS, Malaria and TB National Response of the Uganda AIDS Commission; a Fellow and immediate past Treasurer & Council member of the Ugandan National Academy of Sciences; and, Chairperson of the Academy's Forum on Health and Nutrition and the Forum on Prevention of Violence Against Children. He chaired the Programme Development and Resource Mobilisation Committee of the Uganda Central Co-ordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria country programme for several years and since August 2017 is the Chairperson of the Board of the Uganda Central Co-ordinating Mechanism for the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.

He has carried out consultancies and technical assistance in programme development and project design, management and evaluation in many African countries including South Africa (where he contributed to the development of the government's AIDS programme), as well as the United States, Mexico, Denmark and the United Kingdom. He has led or been part of several technical teams on behalf of the World Health Organization, the Global Programme on AIDS, the United Nations AIDS Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Population Fund, the Danish International Development Agency, the Swedish government, the Norwegian government, the US National Academies of Science and the Ugandan government. He is also a founder member and chair of the Partnership for Africa's Next Generation of Academics (PANGeA) and member of several research networks in Africa including CODESRIA, OSSREA, and ResearchAfrica.net, as well as networks in Europe, North America and Asia.

Kirumira therefore brings a strong research background as well as extensive experience in institution and network building.

He has successfully mobilised financial support for a variety of research and institutional capacity building projects. Under his leadership a portfolio of several hundred million US Dollars was secured from the Global Fund for national programme response to HIV & AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Desmond Smith, Chair of the STIAS Board of Directors said:

“The Selection Committee was impressed by Professor Kirumira's vision for STIAS to further enhance the quality of the core research program, to vigorously expand the Iso Lomso program focused on the next generation of African scholars and leaders and to make STIAS an academic and intellectual hub in service of the continent and research globally.

“We warmly welcome him to the STIAS family. He has the full support of the Board of Directors and we look forward to the next phase of the Institute's growth under his leadership."

In an interview after his appointment, Kirumira said:

“It's scary but a great privilege to hold this position" and added “I want to bring to STIAS a passion for scholarship but also a passion for situating that scholarship within an institutional structure. I come from a position of building higher education institutional capacity from both an academic and administration view. If you don't have good governance it's difficult for scholarship to flourish," he said.  “And also feeding into development processes without having these processes affecting or directing scholarship."

“Part of the attraction is that STIAS presents itself as that space," he continued. “Not constrained by institution or discipline or trends but with the power to feed and direct those trends."

“It's also a place for good, upcoming, young scholars to test their ideas. I'm excited and look forward to be part of a space that allows somebody to have these opportunities."

“We talk about decolonialities and Africanisation but how do we put them into practice? I see myself as part of that experiment."

“And especially at Stellenbosch," he added. “It should happen here and will probably make much more impact than elsewhere. I hope it can be seen as part of reconstructing. Scholars have a responsibility to reconstruct. If we want change we must be part of it rather than waiting for someone else or for a crisis to impose it."

In his opinion, people do not always appreciate the strategic importance of an institution like STIAS. “But we need to express and be proud of this. I hope that STIAS can position itself even more strongly as a thinking/knowledge creator. We need to grab the opportunity and purpose for which it was created."

“I want to bring my understanding and appreciation of the continent and add it to the scholarship capacities and see whether we can facilitate change. People's presence at STIAS should be the beginning of a contribution to something bigger," he concluded.

About STIAS

STIAS was founded in 1999 by Stellenbosch University and functioned under the auspices of the university until 2007 when a not-for-profit (Section 21) company was established. STIAS is now governed by its own Board of Directors.

One of the most important molecules in the human body was the centre of attention at StellenCoA2018, the third international conference on Coenzyme A in Health, Disease and Bioscience. The meeting took place at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS) from 28 October to 1 November 2018.

Coenzyme A (CoA) plays a crucial role in the energy metabolism of the cell as it initiates the Krebs cycle, the process by which living cells break down organic fuel molecules to harvest the energy they need to grow and divide. It is also central to the metabolism of fats.

However, more and more scientists are finding that it also has an important role in cell signaling, and consequently can haves a wide-ranging impact on diseases such as cancer, diabetes,as well as  immune response and neuronal functions.

Studies about how disease-causing organisms make and use CoA themselves (which is often different from the manner in which humans do this) also offers hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the parasites that cause malaria.

Professor Erick Straus, a biochemist in the Department of Biochemistry at SU and chair of the organizing committee, says researchers engaged in this breadth of studies on CoA are seldom gathered at a single conference: “The conference's unique focus on a metabolite rather than a specific disease allowed us to invite speakers from a range of research fields. Researchers and especially postgraduate students were thus exposed to the multi- and interdisciplinary approach to research that is so essential to this field, and was able to learn from the often complementary approaches we each take to study the biological roles of this molecule."

The meeting drew praise from several participants for the quality of the scientific programme, and the excellent location. Said one attendee: “It was a wonderful meeting for the community, and a once-in-a-career experience."

The next conference will take place in the United States in 2020.

One of the most important molecules in the human body was the centre of attention at StellenCoA2018, the third international conference on Coenzyme A in Health, Disease and Bioscience. The meeting took place at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS) from 28 October to 1 November 2018.

Coenzyme A (CoA) plays a crucial role in the energy metabolism of the cell as it initiates the Krebs cycle, the process by which living cells break down organic fuel molecules to harvest the energy they need to grow and divide. It is also central to the metabolism of fats.

However, more and more scientists are finding that it also has an important role in cell signaling, and consequently can haves a wide-ranging impact on diseases such as cancer, diabetes,as well as  immune response and neuronal functions.

Studies about how disease-causing organisms make and use CoA themselves (which is often different from the manner in which humans do this) also offers hope in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and the parasites that cause malaria.

Professor Erick Straus, a biochemist in the Department of Biochemistry at SU and chair of the organizing committee, says researchers engaged in this breadth of studies on CoA are seldom gathered at a single conference: “The conference's unique focus on a metabolite rather than a specific disease allowed us to invite speakers from a range of research fields. Researchers and especially postgraduate students were thus exposed to the multi- and interdisciplinary approach to research that is so essential to this field, and was able to learn from the often complementary approaches we each take to study the biological roles of this molecule."

The meeting drew praise from several participants for the quality of the scientific programme, and the excellent location. Said one attendee: “It was a wonderful meeting for the community, and a once-in-a-career experience."

The next conference will take place in the United States in 2020.

​http://drop.sun.ac.za​

Information Technology recently implemented a new, user-friendly request and incident logging system for staff and students. Our aim was to deploy the system in such a way that you weren’t affected and the process of logging calls remained simple. The only difference is our new, clean and user-friendly look. We would like to encourage you to make use of the online logging system, also known as the ICT Partner Portal, to ensure faster service. 

Log in on our ICT Partner Portal at servicedesk.sun.ac.za.

The ICT Portal is the central point where you can easily log your IT-related issues without calling the IT Service Desk. Here you will also be able to keep track of the progress of your requests online.

As soon as you request a service or log an incident or error, the system automatically assigns a call number. The call number will appear in future email correspondence and updates related to your call. This will ensure that calls are grouped together and the information is easier accessible and better integrated. 

Even though the platform interface looks different, you will be able to perform the same actions as before. Staff and students are automatically registered as users – you only need to log on at servicedesk.sun.ac.za with your SU username and password.

This is what the new interface looks like:

Alternatively, if you prefer not to use the online logging service, you can send an email to help@sun.ac.za. This will automatically log your request on our system. Keep in mind that if you use this method, it will take slightly longer to attend to your call as a helpdesk agent has to classify it first.

If you’ve recently requested a service by sending an email you might have noticed that the confirmation email looks slightly different. Your email will include a reference number, for example, ICT-123, your name and links to view your request. By clicking on the link, you will be diverted to the ICT portal where you can view the status of your request and leave a comment for the technician working on your request.

This is what the new email from IT will look like when you request a service:

For any additional enquiries, please contact the IT Service Desk at 021 808 4367.

​​'The Family and Diabetes' is the theme for World Diabetes Day, which is commemorated on 14 November 2018.

Three-and-a-half million South Africans – about 6% of the population – suffer from diabetes, and five million more are estimated to have pre-diabetes – when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered as diabetes. Most cases of pre-diabetes in South Africa are undiagnosed.

Diabetes is the second most common cause of death in the country, according to the latest (2016) Statistics South Africa report on mortality and causes of death in South Africa.

The majority of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes – where the body becomes resistant to insulin, resulting in dangerously high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is often caused by lifestyle or genetic factors.

On average it takes seven years for a person to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, as symptoms can be mild and may develop gradually. As a result, about 30% of people with type 2 diabetes will already have developed complications by the time they are diagnosed. Diabetes complications are serious and include heart disease, stroke, blindness, amputations and kidney failure. These complications can largely be avoided by early diagnosis and proper treatment.

Type 2 diabetes is placing a large burden on the South African healthcare system. Managing diabetes effectively requires daily treatment, regular monitoring, a healthy diet and lifestyle and ongoing education.

The costs associated with diabetes are alarming. There are direct costs of the disease, including hospital and medication costs and disability grants, as well as indirect costs, such as work absenteeism, time spent caring for sick relatives and reduced productivity. Around 76% of diabetes-related deaths in South Africa occur in people younger than 60 years – the most economically active age group of the population. Health expenditure for diabetes for adults in South Africa is projected to increase by 50% between 2010 and 2030.

Understanding diabetes

All South Africans can potentially be affected by diabetes, and awareness of the signs, symptoms and risk factors are vital for early detection.

Diabetes is a condition whereby the body is unable to maintain the blood sugar levels within the normal range. The four most important factors in diabetes management are:

• Healthy eating habits – no special products are required.

• Regular exercise – 20- to 30-minute exercise sessions, three times a week. People with a heart condition or people who have not exercised for a long time, should consult a doctor before starting an exercise routine.

• The use of medication/insulin injections, as prescribed by a healthcare worker.

• Regular testing of blood sugar levels.

It is important to be able to distinguish between the symptoms of high- and low blood sugar levels.

General symptoms of high blood sugar levels:

• Unquenchable thirst

• Urinating more than usual

• Hunger, despite regular eating

• Weight loss

• Feeling tired and listless

• Blurred vision

• Nausea and vomiting

• A short attention span and poor memory

• Recurrent skin infections

• Coma

General symptoms of low blood sugar levels

• First signs – paleness, feeling jittery, sweating, nausea and headache

• Moderate signs – Heart palpitations, feeling confused, anxious and irritated, speech is affected, constant yawning, personality changes e.g. moodiness

• Severe signs – Aggression or fits of laughter, fainting, convulsions in children, coma

15 Dietary recommendations to prevent and treat diabetes

The dietary guidelines for people with diabetes are based on the same dietary principles as for healthy people without diabetes.

1. ​People with diabetes who are overweight or obese are advised to lose weight. You can improve insulin resistance by losing as little as 5% to 10% percent of your body weight.

2. Eat a variety of different foods at every meal, and vary the preparation techniques you use to make healthy food. This ensures that your diet contains sufficient nutrients and that it is more enjoyable.

3. Eat at least three balanced meals per day.

4. Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and drink at least six to eight glasses of water per day.

5. Increase your fibre intake by:

• ​​Eating whole wheat bread instead of white bread;

• Having oats, oat bran, or whole wheat cereals e.g. high-fibre cereal for breakfast;

• Including a lot of vegetables and fruit in your diet;

• Regularly eating legumes (peas, lentils, beans and soya), and including barley, samp, brown rice and whole wheat pasta to your diet.

Access the South African Food Based Dietary Guidelines and recommendations for healthy eating and weight loss at: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/healthsciences/nicus/how-to-eat-correctly.

Information supplied by NICUS: The information explosion in the science of nutrition very often creates the impression that available information is contradictory. Consequently, it is no longer easy to distinguish between fact, misinformation and fiction.  The Nutrition Information Centre of Stellenbosch University (NICUS) was established to act as a reliable and independent source of nutrition information.​

Photo: Pixabay

​Dear SUNLearn facilitators

It is that time of the year again to bring 2018 to completion and to start with the rollover process to activate modules for 2019. As before, all registered 2019 modules will be created on SUNLearn automatically even before they are requested. Students are then enrolled to these modules during registration and lecturers can decide whether they want to make use of the module space or not.

This year we are approaching this whole process a bit different. Instead of having staff filling in a questionnaire for us regarding who should be enrolled to what, and whether 2018 content has to be carried over, we are doing the following out of the get go:

• All content (except Turnitin links) of all registered 2018 modules will be carried over to their respective 2019 module. All these modules are hidden from students until the start of classes (Health Sciences' modules will be made visible earlier for when their students start). In case content should remain hidden after the start of classes (e.g. in the case of second semester modules), it can be done in the following way.
• All staff will be enrolled for 2019 modules as they were enrolled for 2018 modules.

By approaching this process in this manner we aim to basically complete the entire rollover process by Christmas.

• We are of course aware that not all facilitators want the previous year's content carried over, in this case we recommend the following steps to remove unwanted content.
  
• If other modules' content is required, e.g. 2017 content, instead of 2018, contact the SUNLearn office.
  
• If any facilitators are to be added or removed contact the SUNLearn office.

The process will now run as follows:

1. We are currently busy transferring all content from 2018 to 2019.
2. As soon as this is finished we will enrol all 2018 facilitators to 2019 modules.

Each step in this process will be made known on the SUNLearn Dashboard.

Kind regards

The SUNLearn team
learn@sun.ac.za
021 808 2222​

​

Investigating themes around the future of higher education,

'Forward? Forward! Forward...' punts the important role of art

 in a remarkable, wide-ranging celebratory group show

Opens 5 December 2018, at the Stellenbosch University Museum

Making a case for the value of art production in the realm of higher education and the future, the Stellenbosch University Museum will host a unique, prestige group exhibition in celebration of the University's Centenary. More than 60 artists will be represented.

“Forward? Forward! Forward..." , opening on 5 December in the stately museum building, is the result of an open call to artists earlier to propose artworks addressing the future of higher education, locally and in Africa, and re-imagining the future of Stellenbosch University.

According to the curators, Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen, the response has delivered an intriguing range of exciting works, touching numerous themes in a variety of media.

More than 250 innovative and compelling proposals, serving as catalysts for debate and engagement with the future of the university and education were submitted. 

Artists interpreted the theme to address such issues as identity and cultural perspectives, mentorship, literacy, fields of knowledge, human-to-human connectivity, language, campus power structures and social systems.

Creative expressions include installations, painting, collage, drawing, photography, video, short film, animation, print media, sculpture and performance art.

A commemorative catalogue by the Stellenbosch University Museum will augment the exhibition. 

As part of a transformative/collaborative concept, essays by authors from the Institute for Futures Research, under the direction of Dr. Morné Mostert, will inform the art of  “Forward? Forward! Forward..." and extending the vital debate around the futuristic theme in this Centenary year.

Artists taking part include Zyma Amien, Willem Boshoff, Chris Soal, Sthenjwa Luthuli, Liza Grobler, Lhola Amira, Johann Louw, Jaco van Schalkwyk, Tangeni Kambudu, Emma Willemse, Willie Bester, Gordon Froud, Stephané E. Conradie, Victor Mofukeng, Dan Halter, Ingrid Bolton, Conrad Botes, Sharlé Matthews, Heleen de Haas and Ley Mboramwe Makalele collaboration, Claudette Schreuders, Lehlohonolo Mkhasibe, Hannalie Taute, Strijdom van der Merwe, Ashley Walters, Sinalithemba Ntuli, Tamlin Blake, Ilené Bothma, Lhola Amira , Norman O`Flynn, Jaco Sieberhagen, Lunga Kama, Pierre le Riche, Ydi Coetsee, Spier Arts Academy and Marlise Keith collaboration, Anya Ramparsad , Thabo Motseki, Heidi Fourie and Jessica Storm Kapp.

A selection panel of five considered the initial proposals. They were Ashley Walters, Robyn-Leigh Cedras, Maurice Mbikayi, Ulrich Wolff and Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen.

“Forward? Forward! Forward..." will continue until 30 April 2019

For more information contact: Ulrich Wolff (021 808 3029) or Elizabeth Miller-Vermeulen (083 700 9669) 

​​​

FACULTY OF EDUCATION BLENDED LEARNING DAY 06 NOVEMBER 2018 held in R3008 Education Building from 09h00 – 12h45

In 2017, the Faculty of Education started offering the Bachelor of Education Honours (B Ed Hons)  via Blended Learning (BL). This was a learning curve for staff, as many were exposed to online teaching for the first time. 

The first year was mainly about getting used to technology (SUNLearn)[1], but the Faculty felt that the time had come to engage more actively with the pedagogical side of this mode of teaching and learning – hence the idea to arrange a BL day.

To read the full article please follow link below 

https://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/education/Faculty%20Documents/NEWS%20FEED%20for%20WEB%20Final.pdf

​​A growing number of South Africa’s “Millennials” or Generation Y consumers have started to consider sparkling wine their alcoholic beverage of choice.  

James Wewege, a pre-final year BAccLLB student, recently provided the parliamentary portfolio committee for Justice and Correctional Development with his written submission in respect of the proposed State Liability Amendment Bill. These submissions are based on research completed for a LLB dissertation under the supervision of Dr Bernard Wessels (Department of Private Law). The committee invited James to present his submission in parliament on Wednesday 31 October 2018.

In summary, his submission had three key points. Firstly, James highlighted that, in terms of the proposed section 2A(3) of the Bill, periodic payments are subject to an annual increase in terms of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). He suggested that the Bill should make use of a more suitable alternative measure to allow for the function of accuracy, costs and practicality as the CPI may not be appropriate in the current circumstances. Secondly, according to the proposed section 2A(2)(b), a victim of harm arising from medical malpractice in the public healthcare sector will be directed to a public health establishment for medical services. However, the current reference to “public health establishment” is singular and not plural, which may give rise to unwarranted adverse consequences. In addition, constitutional rights such as the rights to freedom of trade, residence, movement and occupation may be infringed in the process. He provided alternative wording for the proposed Bill, which, if accepted, may avoid the violation of constitutional rights and provide greater certainty to future litigants and courts that adjudicate on this issue. Lastly, in terms of the proposed section 2A(2), a successful medical malpractice litigant may be asked to pay tax on the periodic payments which the state is obliged to make. Therefore, the tax treatment of the periodic payments requires thorough investigation in order to avoid any adverse implications for successful litigants who have already suffered harm at the hands of state malpractice. Essentially, James proposed an amendment to the Income Tax Act to avoid such adverse consequences.

James and Dr Wessels will convert these submissions, together with other research on the topic of state liability, into a full-length peer-reviewed academic article. In this way, James has contributed to the academic development of this area of the law, while also taking part in the formal process of law-making and providing valuable practical suggestions that may improve the current state of affairs.

The Faculty is very proud of his efforts!

​​Marietjie de Villiers, professor in Family Medicine and Primary Care at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Stellenbosch University (SU), has recently been elected as President of the African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth), an Africa-wide network of health professions training institutions, researchers and academics.

The AFREhealth initiative – launched in August 2016 – is an inter-professional health professions forum which was built out of the networks built up by the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and the Nursing Education Partnership Initiative (NEPI).

MEPI and NEPI, which were set up by the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), jointly provided funding for 13 medical and 22 nursing schools in Africa to improve education in the health professions.

AFREhealth aims to build on the achievements of MEPI and NEPI by improving healthcare in Africa through research, education and capacity building. 

De Villiers, former Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching in the FMHS and Principal Investigator for SU MEPI, said she was honoured by her election for a two-year term.

She said that “there are many organisations in Africa but not all of us know each other and every country is different. The NEPI and MEPI history means that we have built up a strong network in multiple countries which is hugely beneficial for what we want to do."

Asked what it will entail being president, she said: “Like anyone that leads an organisation, I will be responsible for the governance, operations and management of the network, as well as for strategic communications.

“In the next two years, we will develop special interest groups for inter-professional training, student exchanges, research, and health professions education, amongst others."

De Villiers said that AFREhealth's diversity is a big attraction for people representing all the professions in health care. “It enables them to come together and provides a platform for true inter-professional work and opens up opportunities for collaborations that were not available before. It really is a case of finding our strength in our differences – and I believe we will go from strength to strength."

Asked what she hopes to achieve, she said: “At the end of my two-year term I would like the organisation to be well established in terms of governance and organisation, and I would love to see strong, vibrant communities of practice up and running. I would like us to be well on our way to providing capacity development and to building health professions education in Africa so that we can make a difference to the health of the continent."

Caption 1: AFREhealth PI Council at the 2018 Symposium, awarding Dr Eric Goosby (left), previous PEPFAR ambassador, with a lifetime membership. Previous president Prof Peter Donkor from Ghana (second from the right) and Prof Abigail Kazembe from Malawi new Vice-President on Dr Goosbys's left. 

Caption 2: Prof Marietjie de Villiers during her acceptance speech as new AFREhealth President, at AFREhealth conference in Durban on 8 August 2018.

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the full article here.

Over the past two decades, mental health research has advanced markedly. But most mental health studies haven't included African people – either as researchers or as participants. This raises an all too familiar concern that Africa could be a bystander as advances in molecular and genetic research of the brain proceed at a breakneck speed.

A turning point in this disparity has been the realisation that the involvement of Africa in mental health research is vitally important. This is true for two reasons. Firstly, science that doesn't include diverse population groups risks being biased, inaccurate and incomplete. Secondly, African populations are genetically the most diverse due to the continent's unique position as a land of origins.

Missing this diversity has held back the progress of mental health genetics research.

A dedicated group of African and non-African researchers, clinicians and institutions are working to reverse this trend and make up for lost time.

But, the challenges are formidable.

The first is that there's been a bias in medical research in Africa towards communicable diseases. This includes HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. The need to eradicate these diseases cannot be over emphasised. But this shouldn't be at the expense of issues such as mental health and its associated repercussions.

The second problem relates to budgetary constraints. Mental health disorders account for approximately 19% of the overall years lived with a disability in African countries. But less than 1% of the health budgets of countries is attributed to mental health.

Thirdly, not many clinical trials and genetic studies have been done on the continent. Often, policymakers consider genetics a distraction to the more urgent problems faced on the continent.

Lastly, government agencies and institutions find it difficult to justify allocation of funds to genetics studies and mental health research. But given the pace of technical and analytic developments in the field, African scientists can no longer afford to ignore the possibility that the opportunities may outweigh the perils of genetic research.

Breaking down barriers

So what can be done?

One initiative that's trying to break down some of the barriers is the Human Heredity and Health in Africa (H3Africa). This organisation is invested in understanding health and disease in African populations by providing research opportunities to study the interplay between environmental and genetic factors that affect the spread of diseases.

The initiative is also leading efforts to get the public, institutions and governments engaged on genetic research in mental health disorders. This is part of an effort to close the knowledge gap so that insights from genetics are more accessible and understandable.

Another initiative, designed to address the problem of a lack of expertise, is being driven by the Global Initiative for Neuropsychiatric Genetic Education in Research. Genetics research is highly complex and requires knowledge in areas ranging from computational sciences to ethical studies. The initiative is bridging the training and capacity gaps of mental health genetic research in Africa through online classrooms and onsite visits for early-career African researchers.

In addition to analytic experience, the curriculum teaches a range of skills including time management, communication, networking, and building interpersonal relationships. All are designed to help fellows become independent researchers.

The programme is committed to producing the next generation of African researchers. And to set the foundation for these fellows to mentor, train and produce a second generation of scientists.

The hope is that the programme will also spearhead a new level of collaboration between African institutions and overseas collaborators. This too can help overcome the shortage of skilled genetic researchers in Africa.

Two other initiatives are also helping advance mental health research, though they aren't specifically focused on the genetics of mental health. These are the African Mental Health Research Initiative and the Friendship Bench Project. Both have paved the way for increased funding, collaboration and understanding of mental health in Africa.

Additional hurdles to overcome

Even after the research hurdles have been cleared, other challenges will have to be addressed.

Chief among these is the need to assuage people's fears about taking part in genetic studies. Misconception, stigma, and socio-cultural prohibitions have hampered genomic research in Africa. Participants tend to feel uneasy about the long-term use of their blood and tissue samples in genomic research.

This means that a lot of work still needs to be done to encourage people to take part in studies by contributing biological samples and clinical data.

On top of this, methods need to be found to extract samples that are both affordable and non-invasive. And finally, participants must be afforded the chance to make informed decisions about taking part in research. In particular, those with diminished or impaired autonomy need special protection.

Some work has already been done to address these issues. For example, H3Africa developed guidelines on the export of samples from African countries. But it's unclear if all institutions adhere to them.

And there are still big gaps. Most African countries don't have policies for health-related research so harmonisation isn't possible. There's also no comprehensive framework to guide mental health neuropsychiatric genetics research in Africa. This needs to be developed and should take into account how best to mobilise local and international resources.

Our continent provides incredible diversity and a wealth of knowledge that needs to be tapped.

About the authors

Benyam Worku Dubale - Assistant Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, Addis Ababa University

Celia van der Merwe - Post doctoral research fellow, University of Cape Town

Dr Nathaniel McGregor - Lecturer and Researcher, Department of Genetics; & SU/ UCT MRC Unit on Risk and Resilience in Mental Disorders, Stellenbosch University

Fellows from the Global Initiative for Neuropsychiatric Genetic Education in Research (GINGER) contributed to this article: Felicita Omari, Benedict Akimana, Melkam Alemayhu, Shareefa Dalvie, Abebe Ejigu, Michelle Hoogenhout, Allan Kalungi, Symon M. Kariuki, Nastassja Koen, Lerato Majara, Jackline Mmochi, Emmanuel K. Mwesiga, Linnet Ongeri, Abigiya Wondimagegnehu Tilahun

Photo: Pixabay

TEACHING & LEARNING SEMINAR, 08 NOVEMBER 2018 held in Room 3008, Education Building, from 12h45 – 13h45

Mr Martin Butler, Senior Lecturer at the Stellenbosch University Business School (USB), was the presenter at the Teaching and Learning (T&L) Seminar on the 8^th of November 2018. His areas of expertise are Information Systems Management, Project Management and Technology Futures. The topic of his presentation was “Technology and Learning - standing on the shoulders of giants". The presentation focused on the key theoretical perspectives, the application thereof by the USB as well as valuable lessons learned during the process.

He commenced his talk by providing some background, stating that technology continues to shape our learning environments and processes. In 2015 the USB introduced a blended learning postgraduate diploma and extended the blended mode of delivery to their flagship Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programme in 2017. Both programmes, including the previous full time and part time delivery methods, make extensive use of technology for teaching and learning.

Central to the success of both programmes and in particular the new mode of delivery was the efficient use of multiple new technologies by students, support staff and faculty. The transition into this technological intrinsic environment required the planning and execution of multiple interventions to ensure that the focus remains on student learning and not the 'sexiness' of the technology. In addition, getting faculty with more than 20 years' classroom experience to embrace the new learning environments, and methods of interaction, proved challenging.

At the USB the philosophy of teaching and learning is centred around three important elements, namely (1) theory/principles/techniques; (2) application; and (3) the real world. Against this philosophy, the USB has been able to create a 'glocal' classroom, through the blended mode of delivery. This means that students from all over the world can attend, be it from an airport somewhere in Canada or from a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean. The creation of the 'glocal' classroom has been fundamental in the process of transformation of teaching and learning.

Theoretical models from both the information systems and innovation disciplines were crucial to ongoing management of the blended programmes. Through the application of the Socio-Technical Perspective (Bostrom & Heinen, 1977)[1], Technology Acceptance Model (Davies, 1989)[2], Information Systems Success (Delone & McLean, 1992)[3] and Innovation Diffusion Theory (Rodgers, 1976)[4] a scientific approach towards embedding the technology in the teaching and learning process was followed.

Mr Butler continued to positively describe to the current state of affairs with regard to BL at the USB, stating that their geographical footprint has spread tremendously over the last few years. Furthermore, BL is the most successful mode of delivery at the USB. It has been an interesting ride thus far, during which they have learnt the value of careful planning and hard work. Some of the challenges encountered include technological capabilities and support, the integrity around secure online assessments, as well as incentivising staff members.

In conclusion, these BL experiences by the USB demonstrate that the change imperative has become more and more crucial, and disrupting the self should be seen as part and parcel of transformation. It has become a “burning platform", even for “old dogs and not so thirsty horses"…

 References

[1] Bostrom, R.P. and Heinen, J.S. 1977. MIS problems and failures: a socio-technical perspective, part II: the application of socio-technical theory. MIS quarterly, pp11-28.

[2] Davis, F.D. 1989. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS quarterly, pp 319-340.

[3] DeLone, W.H. and McLean, E.R. 1992. Information Systems Success: The Quest for the Dependent Variable. Information Systems Research, pp 60-95.

[4] Rogers, E.M. 1976. New product adoption and diffusion. Journal of consumer Research, pp.290-301.

“Feeling hungry makes you feel inferior to the people around you. It affects your concentration. You start to look for ways to find food. I don't think students should be worrying about food. Students should be students."

Two years ago, Steven (not his real name), was on the verge of dropping out of Stellenbosch University (SU). His parent's life savings were used up and he was running out of food. As the future dreams for this academically gifted student seemed to be crashing down, he felt hopeless.

In a last desperate attempt, he sent out appeals for financial aid based on his excellent academic results… and he waited. Then one day, he got the call that brought him to tears of relief: he had attracted the interest of a funder who was impressed by his hard work and achievement. He didn't have to worry about money for his studies anymore.

The hero in his story, his donor, effectively ensured that he would never need to survive on one loaf of bread for a whole week – ever again.

You can be the hero in a SU student's story too.

There are many students, who like Steven, face food insecurity at some point in their academic life. In 2018, 465 newcomers (both UG and PG) arrived on campus from homes with very high socio-economic disadvantage, immediately making them vulnerable to food insecurity. Many are NSFAS students, but the relief provided by fee-free higher education is constrained. Last year, 84.5% of emergency food allowances were allocated during the Nov/Dec exam period when bursary monies were depleted.

In a few weeks from now, Steven will put on his coveted graduation gown and sit in the row of students who will walk across a stage; then he and his family will receive the reward of their efforts as Steven graduates into the world of work and the life of which they all dreamt.

If you want to help others, like Steven, reach their finish line, please commit to making a donation on Giving Tuesday to Move4Food here: https://www.givengain.com/cc/su100/

Giving Tuesday, which takes place on 27 November, is a growing global charity, which showcases worthy causes.

If you want to give money or to do something more – why not sign up as a fundraiser and run, swim, walk, cycle, hike to help end student hunger at Stellenbosch University? We've come a long way – but there is still a long way to go. We need your help to get there.

• Want to get involved? Send an e-mail to givingday@sun.ac.za to sign up as a fundraiser in an upcoming sporting event.

​“It is crucial that we do not use the language we speak and the culture we live as weapons against each other, but rather as tools to cultivate reconciliation. It is not just about being healed from the past, but about social justice and becoming active citizens of hope."

This was one of the key messages from Dr Marlene le Roux, who delivered the fourth annual Russel Botman Memorial Lecture at the Adam Small Theatre in Stellenbosch in October.

The Russel Botman Memorial Lecture is presented by the Faculty of Theology and the Beyers Naudé Centre for Public Theology at Stellenbosch University (SU) and the curatoria of the Dutch Reformed Church and the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa. This lecture honours the values and life of the late rector and vice-chancellor of SU who passed away on 28 June 2014.

Dr Marlene le Roux, the chief executive officer of Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town – both the first woman and the first 'black' person to fill this position – gave a humorous and inspiring lecture. She not only shared anecdotes from her long friendship with Prof. Botman, but also challenged the audience to do better in their daily lives as an example for future generations.​​

“It is crucial that we set an example with our deeds, that our words correspond with our actions and that our deeds be true. The legacy of Russel Botman must proceed from words to action. He was a theologian of action. He didn't preach to be liked. He put theology into action and preached about politics, poverty and inequality. He became a preacher of hope," said Le Roux.

In July 2010, Prof Russel Botman launched the HOPE Project, an initiative that implements a science-for-society strategy aimed at tackling and solving challenges that are uniquely African with the use of state-of-the-art facilities and expertise from pioneers in various fields. This approach allows for a confrontation of global challenges and provides ideal opportunities for learning, shaping the new generation into hopeful leaders.

Le Roux believes that the HOPE Project was a natural outflow of Prof. Botman's activism and his theology of hope. “Russel deeply believed that there is hope for millions of people on the African continent. For him hope was not just faith in a better future – it had to be created and it had to be offered to disadvantaged communities. He reiterated that the HOPE Project is the University's way of living up to these responsibilities."

Le Roux has worked in the arts for many decades and received many awards for her work, including the Chevalier des Ordres et des Lettres by the French government for promotion of the performing arts and the Gold Mayor's Medal of the City of Cape Town for promotion of the arts. In her lecture she also touched on Prof. Botman's love of the arts and his belief in the important role it could play in overcoming the divisions and strife of the past and that it can play a liberating role in the whole of South African society.

“It was Russel Botman's vision to break down the categories that divide and dehumanise us through culture and song to set us free. He was an activist of culture and saw that songs can be a bridge to overcome the divisions from the past, through human compassion and respect. I believe Russel Botman has left a legacy of hope behind, not only as theologian and pedagogue, but also as a lover and promoter of the arts," said Le Roux.

Russel Botman Bursary Fund

The recipients of the Russel Botman Bursary Fund (RBBF), which was established on  Botman's 60^th birthday on 18 October 2013, are introduced. An appeal is also made for donations to the Fund.

The recipients include the following SU students:

•  Sandiso Sogula, third-year LLB
  
• Ayanda Bless, second-year Occupational Therapy
• Nandipha Dlamini, third-year BSc AgriSciences (Animal Sciences)
• Nomalinge Mzaza, third-year LLB
• Christina van Eck, final-year BA (Language and Culture).

The late Prof. Botman was passionate about creating opportunities for deserving students to gain access to higher education. And it is through this legacy of Prof. Botman that SU will continue to honour with the help of donations.

For more information on the RBBF and details on how to donate, click here.

 Photo: Four of the recipients (on the left in front) stand with Prof Nico Koopman, Prof Reggie Nel​, Prof Xolile Simon , Dr Beryl Botman and Dr Marlene le Roux. 

Photo: Anton Jordaan

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