Umkhangiso Wase-UKZN Odla Ubhedu Uphume Phambili Embukisweni Waminyakayonke
Abafundi kanye nabasebenzi be-CAES phambi komkhangiso odle ubhedu kanye nendondo yabo e-Royal Show.Click here for English Version
Sekuphele iminyaka emithathu ilandelana, iKolishi Lezolimo, Ezobunjiniyela Nezesayensi (i-CAES) inqoba i-Royal Industrial Floating Trophy for Best Display ku-Royal Show ebanjwa njalo ngonyaka eMgungundlovu.
Liphinde lathola indondo yegolide ngomkhangiso wabo omuhle kakhulu kanti futhi nethimba lanconywa ngokunakekela amakhasimende.
Umkhangiso wabo ujabulise izihambeli eziningi ngombukiso obunezinyoka, ama-tenrec, izicabucabu, amaphela, umbukiso wokutshalwa kwezitshalo emanzini, umbukiso welebhu yokucwaninga izitshalo, nohlelombukiso lwezamanzi angaphansi komhlaba nokunye okuningi.
I-UKZN yaziwa kakhulu ngezikhangiso zayo ezinokuxhumana nabantu, ezintsha futhi ezifundisayo kulonyaka bekunesiteshi sesimo sezulu esizishintshayo kanye nombukiso oqhakambisa umsebenzi owenziwa i-UKZN, i-South African Sugarcane Research Institute (i-SASRI) kanye ne-Dube AngriLab yase-Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone, okuyilebhu yezitshalo ecwaninga ngokutshalwa komoba, ezinye izitshalo kanye nezitshalo zokuhlobisa. Le ndawo ikhiqiza izithombo ngaphansi kwesimo esingenamagciwane ukuze kuphume izitshalo ezingenazifo ezisezingeni eliphezulu lalezo zitshalo.
Abafundi abanolwazi bebekhombisa izivakashi obekukhangisiwe futhi bebachazela ngokumele bakulindele eNyuvesi. Bekukhona nemibukiso emihle kakhulu yezesayensi eyethulwe uDkt Tanja Reinhardt, okanye uDkt T, weSikhungo seSayensi noBuchwepheshe Bezemfundo.
Ophethe Ezokuxhumana Nomphakathi e-CAES, uNkk Swasti Maney, uxhumanise impumelelo yesikhangiso neqhaza labasebenzi nabafundi abebelekelela, nomdlandla walabo abebesesikhangisweni becobelela izivakashi ngolwazi lwabo.
Imikhakha ebibambe iqhaza ihlanganise i-Agrometeorology, i-Bioresources (Agricultural) Engineering, i-Crop Science, i-Hydrology, izifundo eziningi ze-Life Sciences kusukela ku-Zoology kuya ku-Biology, kanye nethimba labacwaningi be-Aquatic Ecosystem.
Umkhangiso ubuyingxenye yesimpoziyamu yesikhumbuzo yesithathu i-Ukulinga Howard Davis Memorial Symposium, eqhakambise ucwaningo oluzokwenziwa eSikoleni Sezesayensi Yezolimo, Ezomhlaba Nemvelo oluhambisana nokugcina inqubo yezolimo.
Izinhlangano ebezikhangisile bezingama-450 okubalwa kuzo ezithengisayo, ezezimboni kanye nezezinsizakalo futhi zihanjelwe abantu abasondele kuma-200 000 emcimbini omkhulu wezolimo nezempilo esifundazweni ngosuku lwe-10 uqhubeka umcimbi.
Amagama: u-Christine Cuénod
author : .author email : .Education Academic Hosts Workshop for Matric Teachers
Professor Ayub Sheik facilitates a workshop for matric teachers at the KwaMashu Teachers Centre.As part of a community outreach initiative, Professor Ayub Sheik, a lecturer from the School of Education facilitated workshops for Matric teachers. These were held at the KwaMashu Teachers Centre and New Germany Primary School. Matric Drama was also workshopped by Emeritus Professor Dennis Shauffer.
The workshops were attended by teachers from the Pinetown and KwaMashu education circuits in a bid to find alternate and creative ways to engage with their matric learners in the different genres of English as a first additional language.
The initiative was organised by Wordweavers, a start-up educational company with student guides in all the genres of Matric English. The logistics for the workshops was organised by English Subject Advisor, Mr Paris Senwamadi, and Mr Govin Reddy from Wordweavers.
‘It is an important and continuous goal for the University to lend its expertise to community development. Feedback solicited from the teachers indicted rich appreciation for the scaffolding and insightful approaches done in a spirit of comradery,’ said Sheik.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Networking Session with Zimbabwean UKZN Alumni A Success
UKZN staff and Zimbabwe based alumni.The Alumni Relations Office organised the first of hopefully many get-togethers in Harare, Zimbabwe for alumni.
Held on Saturday, 26 May, at the Meikles Hotel in central Harare, the well-attended event, which saw attendees coming from various parts of Zimbabwe, included an exhibition of UKZN study opportunities and a three-course lunch at which Professor Nana Poku, UKZN Deputy Vice-Chancellor and College Head of Law and Management Studies, was the guest speaker
The event was an opportunity for alumni, donors and friends of UKZN to renew acquaintances, meet fellow alumni and to get updated on developments at their alma mater.
Acting Executive Director of Corporate Relations at UKZN, Ms Normah Zondo, warmly welcomed guests and introduced Poku who spoke on: UKZN – the Premier University of African Scholarship: Context and Opportunity. Poku also highlighted recent developments at the University and answered numerous questions posed by attendees.
Mr Sbu Kheswa from the Schools Liaison unit held a comprehensive exhibition of University materials which was extremely well received by the graduates who enquired about various course options and study opportunities at UKZN.
Guests went home with information packs containing a selection of UKZN publications and a corporate gift. Similar events will take place in many centres in South Africa and in other neighbouring countries during the year.
Words: Finn Christensen
author : .author email : .Shining the Spotlight on Pre-eclampsia
From left: Professor Anita Naicker, Dr Ismail Bhorat, Professor Cheryl Winkler, Professor Prem Gathiram, Dr Manu Vatish, Professor Irene Mackraj and Professor Jagidesa Moodley.UKZN’s Placental Research Group, chaired by Professor Thajasvarie (Anita) Naicker in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences hosted a successful Pre-eclampsia Day.
This group is fortunate to be mentored by the eminent Professor Jagidesa Moodley who is a world-renowned expert on pre-eclampsia.
This was one of many planned series of public events planned for May aimed at increasing awareness of this life-threatening hypertensive disorder of pregnancy.
Pre-eclampsia complicates up to 12% of all pregnancies in SA with a 14% mortality rate. This awareness event featured international guest speakers, and UKZN postgraduate students who showcased their research on Pre-eclampsia.
‘We believe there is a need to improve awareness; educate women on signs and symptoms of this condition; encourage early health seeking and understand the underlying aetiology of pre-eclampsia in South Africa. Our mission is to contribute towards understanding the pathogenesis underlying Pre-eclampsia development’ said Naicker.
Amongst the invited international speakers, was Dr Ismail Bhorat whose talk: Pre-eclampsia and the Fetus, explored the role of the fetus in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia aetiology. Bhorat has pioneered fetal surgical procedures in the country and his special interest lies in fetal cardiac haemodynamics as a tool in fetal surveillance in high-risk pregnancies.
Dr Cheryl Winkler, a Human Geneticist and Senior Principal Scientist in the Molecular Genetic Epidemiology Section at the National Cancer Institute in the United States of America, was another speaker at the event. Her talk on Fetal APOL1 Genotype and Pre-eclampsia explored how most common variants associated with common diseases such as Pre-eclampsia or chronic kidney disease have very small effect sizes but genetic variants in genes that protect against diseases caused by lethal pathogens have the potential to be both highly prevalent and to have strong effect sizes.
Dr Manu Vatish from Oxford University, United Kingdom, presented a talk on Extracellular Microvesicles in Pre-eclampsia. Vatish is the Senior Clinical Fellow and Consultant in the Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals National Health Service Trust. Vatish is also involved in acute obstetrics at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. His basic research interest is in placental function in gestational diabetes and Pre-eclampsia.
Bhorat and Naicker appeared on the coveted - Walk the Talk - Lotus FM radio show hosted by Alan Khan, a show that was voted the “Best News and Actuality Talk Show” in 2017. Additionally, Moodley was interviewed by the Daily News on raising awareness about pre-eclampsia development.
‘We need to remember that the right to health is a human right and the health of a nation is determined by the health of its women, newborns and children,’ said Naicker.
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .Fulbright Scholar Aims to Further Catalysis and Materials Research through Scholarship
Dr Mzamo Shozi.Dr Mzamo Shozi of the School of Chemistry and Physics has been awarded a scholarship under the Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar Program (FVRSP).
Shozi expressed pride and happiness upon receiving the news, especially after the extensive applications process. The programme will, he says, provide him with the chance to accrue international experience, something he has wanted to pursue since completing his PhD.
The FVRSP is an opportunity for a South African University Faculty or Research Institute Professional to conduct research in their field of expertise at an Academic or Research Institution in the United States for three to nine months. It is aimed at strengthening academic programmes or curricula at the scholar’s home institution.
From August, Shozi will visit the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) where he will be hosted by Professor Bruce Gates, an eminent scientist in Shozi’s field.
Shozi is an experienced lecturer and is currently the Director of the Applied Chemistry programme at UKZN. He specialises in catalysis and organometallic chemistry research, and is the Principal investigator of biomass conversion research in the Catalysis Research Group at UKZN. Shozi has worked to establish independent collaborations, including one with Cardiff University in the United Kingdom beginning in 2016.
Shozi has published research in high impact journals including those of the American Chemical Society and Royal Society of Chemistry. He is also a recipient of National Research Foundation Thuthuka and Knowledge Interchange and Collaboration (KIC) grants.
Through the FVRSP, Shozi hopes to begin collaborating with the Gates Catalysis Research Group at UC Davis, saying that the research group’s state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated staff and students will contribute significantly to his own work in experimental catalysis and materials research.
Shozi thanked his mother for her patience in seeing him through postgraduate studies, and credited Professor Holger Friedrich for his mentorship and encouragement in his career.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph: Bheki Mthembu
author : .author email : .Health Experts Table Primary Healthcare Re-Engineering
Programme speakers and delegates at the COPC Indaba.UKZN’s Family Medicine Discipline in collaboration with the KZN Department of Health (District Health Services) hosted the KwaZulu-Natal Community Orientated Primary Care (COPC) Indaba on primary healthcare re-engineering.
COPC is a systematic approach to healthcare based upon principles derived from epidemiology, primary care, preventive medicine, and health promotion.
‘It’s richness comes from the identification and understanding of the community to be served, characterising it, defining the health issues or concerns, developing and implementing interventions, and finally monitoring and evaluating the impact,’ said KZN Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
The Indaba is aimed at provide a platform for actively engaging District and Primary Health Care managers in a process of grounding primary healthcare re-engineering in the communities they serve in the province.
Dhlomo told over 300 delegates in attendance that healthcare problems experienced at community level will not be resolved unless there is broad-based participation and engagement of relevant stakeholders.
The gathering shared experiences of excellence in the implementation of COPC, through presentations and group discussions by districts, PHC leaders, managers and community members.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of community based needs assessment. ‘This initiative comes at the appropriate time when the Department of Health is reviewing its planning approach and is shifting from programme-based to population-based planning,’ said Dholmo.
The Indaba also gave an opportunity to KZN Provincial, District and Primary Health Care managers to learn from healthcare providers who have demonstrated excellence in the implementation of COPC, locally and internationally. The district management teams and healthcare institutions had an opportunity to benchmark against a practical point of reference to guide their plan for sub-district and community-based healthcare services.
Speakers presented remarkable work being done in the implementation of COPC in the country and internationally. Delegates were also treated to insightful presentations by Dhlomo, UKZN Family Medicine HOD, Dr Bernhard Gaede, and Professor Tessa Marcus from the Department of Family Medicine at the the University of Pretoria.
Marcus and Gaede engaged healthcare workers in understanding the concept of COPC and encouraged them to facilitate community engagement on its implementation.
In 2013 the PHC Re-engineering Task Team indicated that: ‘the KZN Department of Health subscribes to the 1978 Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care (PHC). The declaration led to the introduction of the District Health System that was said to be the vehicle to deliver health care services using the PHC approach and this is expressed in the National Health Act 61 of 2003 section 29, 30 and 31.’
Gaede said the revitalisation of the concept of COPC was central to both the University’s and DoH’s aim to support re-engineering PHC. COPC was developed in Pholela in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands by Dr Sydney and Emily Kark in the 1940s, through the introduction of projects that maximised population-based interventions with community involvement and linking clinical and population-based care. It also has significant historical relevance for UKZN as COPC formed a central part of the original curriculum of the Medical School when it was established in 1954. However, due to both political pressure and professional conservatism, the revolutionary ideals of such a curriculum were suppressed.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .OTher Symposium Tables OT for the Future
OTher Symposium participants.Occupational Therapy is rapidly gaining traction worldwide as an underappreciated yet vital component within healthcare systems aimed at improving conditions of people’s lives.
This was the sentiment of UKZN Occupational Therapy (OT) lecturer, Ms Chantal Christopher, whilst speaking at the OTher Symposium, a multidisciplinary international conference whose aim was to provide practitioners with an opportunity to disrupt generic and, tired ways of practicing.
Hosted by UKZN’s Discipline of OT at the Edward Hotel in Durban, and themed: OTher voices, OTher stories, OTher ways of doing which speaks to the myriad praxes and stories that go untold the symposium brought together local and international practitioners from Canada, The Netherlands, Portugal, USA, Chile, and the United Kingdom. Delegates included practitioners who work as occupational therapists, caregivers, physiotherapists, educators, pharmacists, psychologists, speech pathologists, audiologists and academics.
The conference looked at presentations that reflect OT and its partners’ practice/s on the periphery, fostering humanity, pushing the boundaries of the profession and expanding knowledge that confronts hegemonic dialogues.
It reflected on alternative practices, narratives from lived experiences and the field, stories from practice, professional/ trans - disciplinary innovation and research findings that are at the forefront of creating a different society.
‘The symposium space was carefully constructed to facilitate and engender deep discussions and sharing in a reflective place, that fostered micro and macro adjustments in our framing of practice,’ said Christopher.
She said the persistence of isolated professions, working towards similar goals is an example of the commodification and “specialisation” trend in healthcare.
This well known worldwide condition was turned on its head when the Symposium ensured that the intersectionality of its programme fostered connection between professionals and universities.
Contrary to large single professional conferences that perpetuate the ways of practice that are derivations of old, the OTher Symposium purposefully disrupted this, through its multi-professional attendance, the variety and depth of its programme and the move away from staid podium presentation to interactive sessions and reflection.
The programme was packed with diversity from Mr Suntosh Pillay, a Psychologist who presented the new Practice Guidelines for Psychology Professionals Working with Sexually- and Gender Diverse People, to Ms Mary Black, an Occupational Therapist discussed her work with refugees at the Kovler Centre in Chicago, USA and UKZN OT lecturer Lauren Hepworth highlighting the professional gains in UKZN’s work with the eThekwini Municipality on the Inanda Children’s Wilderness Park.At the conference, delegates shared experiences and practices for the future. Ms Crystal Dieleman travelled from Canada to share her Wall of Hope, where works of art are used to represent hope with people who have had a justice system sentence.
Ms Jennifer Creek and Mr Frank Kronenberg, authors who continue to shape the OT profession presented on issues that created debate and deep reflection.
The delegates were impressed by the proceedings and thanked the organisers for having created the space and the energy for such deep and stimulating questioning of the profession! ‘I’ll be watering and nurturing this seed inside my heart. I am sure all those seeds will enrich our professional debate and development. Well done to the OTher Symposium,’ said Ms Silvia Martins from Sintra Portugal.
‘All contemporary healthcare professionals know the debate about inherited practice and the hegemonic understanding of practice we obtain from the North. The issue is why do we perpetuate these praxes and lens? This symposium is a beginning: a call for us to step up and make those connections, ruffle those feathers and “unbecome” what we have “become” in pursuit of social and occupational justice and hence a better society,’ said Christopher.
Words: Nombuso Dlamini
author : .author email : .UKZN Hosts MACE KZN Regional Workshop
Various KZN Higher Education Institutions attended the recent MACE Regional Workshop at UKZN. The University of KwaZulu-Natal hosted various KZN Higher Education Institutions during the KwaZulu-Natal Marketing, Advancement and Communication in Education (MACE) Regional Workshop held at the University’s Council Chamber on 30 May.
The workshop provided an opportunity for MACE members, to meet, learn from each other and share ideas and expertise.
Ms Marlene Govender, Founder and CEO of the Market Masters International, a strategic marketing consultancy, inspired attendees with her talk titled: Finding Your Purpose – Your Personal Brand.
She reminded the audience to take care of their personal brand, to love themselves and always be authentic. Some of the tips included ‘aligning your purpose and your social media platforms with the organisation that you are with, staying away from negative comments, using the platform to reiterate who you are, and to find what sets you apart.’
‘Why try to fit in when you were born to stand out? Be visible, be authentic and be different,’ she said.
Higher Education Institutions who attended the event included UKZN, the Durban University of Technology, Berea Technical College, Vega and Mangosuthu University of Technology.
The purpose of the workshop was to also elect the KZN Regional structure. Ms Hazel Langa from UKZN who was elected as Chair, Mr Sibongiseni Magwaza from Berea Technical College was elected as Deputy Chair while Ms Rakshika Sibran from UKZN was elected as Regional Secretary.
Acting Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo, thanked Govender for reminding the audience to be authentic and to believe in what they do. She encouraged the different universities to take part in the annual MACE Excellence Awards to be held during the MACE Congress in November this year.
The awards will be held in Cape Town from 28 to 30 November.
Words: Sithembile Shabangu
author : .author email : .Servicing Beyond University Boarders
MSRC members share a moment with Mbopha High School learners and Principal. The UKZN Medical School Student Representative Council (MSRC) recently visited Mbopha High School in KwaHlabisa, northern KwaZulu-Natal, with the intent of unlocking academic potential at the school.
The MSRC provided information and advice regarding the applications process to universities as well as bursaries.
Members of the MSRC also motivated learners to work hard for their upcoming June exams whilst also sharing their university experiences with the learners.
During discussions, learners showed eagerness and determination to study further and to seek valuable opportunities to succeed in life.
Matric learners have big dreams but have limited knowledge on how to turn those dreams into reality. Members of the MSRC have thus taken it upon themselves to go back to their communities and advise learners on matters such as study opportunities.
‘It is surely an inspiration when we see young people coming back to speak and motivate others to pursue their dreams and realise their potential,’ said Mr Musawenkosi Silawule, Mbopha High School Principal.
Zimkhitha Ntozakhe, MSRC Community Development Officer, said the visit was worth it, adding that ‘nothing makes me happier than knowing that I have enabled yet another African child with information to strive for what they believe in.’ ‘If we had sufficient funding at our disposal, we would organise more of these visits and continue being agents of change within our societies.’
Words: Lihle Sosibo
author : .author email : .Orientation Session for Criminology and Forensic Studies Students
UKZN staff and students with DCS representatives during the recent Experiential Learning Orientation Session.The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) recently hosted an Experiential Learning Orientation Session for UKZN’s Criminology and Forensic Studies student volunteers where the group was given an insight into the environment of correctional centres as well as an overview of community risk profiling.
Held at the Howard College Theatre, the event was facilitated by DCS representatives Mr Azwihangwisi Nesengani, Mr Kagiso Mmutlane and Ms Magdeli Matji, who also encouraged students to volunteer on the criminology profiling learning programme.
The session was held as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between UKZN and the Department of Correctional Services which will be renewed for the next five years.
‘The Experiential Learning Programme is important for students because it will improve their learning and experience,’ said UKZN academic Professor Shanta Balgobind-Singh, adding, ‘It will also boost their curriculum vitae.’
Matji spoke to the students about the various needs based correctional programmes, which they could participate in to assist offenders. Some of these programmes – which address offending behaviour by inmates focus on anger management, alcohol and drug abuse. Programmes designed for female offenders that focus on relationships, career building and general life skills were also discussed.
Ms Thandanani Ngidi, a masters student who participated in the programme in 2016, advised students to participate in the programme. ‘This is a great opportunity and for me, it was an incredible experience, I learnt a lot and I got the chance to see what is untold. On the first day, it will be scary but working with the inmates will change your perceptions towards them,’ she said.
Nesengani, Community Liaison Director in the Department, said the Department would take responsibility to ensure that all students who participate in the programme are safe.
Words and photograph: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Shedding New Light on Effective Leadership in Poverty-Stricken Schools
Education academics with their new book: Leadership that Works in Deprived School Contexts of South Africa. Professor Vitallis Chikoko together with seven academics from the School of Education recently launched their new book titled Leadership that Works in Deprived School Contexts of South Africa.
The UKZN authors were Dr Inbanathan Naicker, Dr Thamsanqa Thulani Bhengu, Dr Phumlani Myende, Dr Bongani Nhlanhla Mkhize, Mr Sibonelo Blose, Dr Sekitla Daniel Makhasane, and Dr Sibusiso Bayeni.
Launched at the Edgewood campus, the book explores the author’s perception of successful leadership in selected South African primary and secondary schools that are considered deprived.
‘South Africa was under colonial rule for centuries and then under apartheid rule for 40 years,’ said Chikoko. ‘During the latter period in particular, society was structured according to race. The Black majority population suffered severe socio-economic and political oppression, thus, their communities, including rural areas and township settlements became deprived. Education therein was poor and under-resourced,’ he said.
While Chikoko notes the post-apartheid democratic government and the Department of Basic Education have and continue to make sterling efforts to redress the inequalities and injustices of the past, most historically Black communities remain socially and economically deprived.
‘In search of better education for their children, Black parents that can afford to take their children to former White, fortified schools leave the former Black schools in worse financial condition. This trend is unsustainable.
‘Against that backdrop and in the midst of many underperforming schools, there are schools in deprived contexts that are performing very well, particularly in terms of learner pass rates. This book is about leadership in the latter schools. In this book, the authors propose that leadership is the leading factor for such success,’ he said.
The book is based on empirical evidence from various researches conducted in the schools in question. Comprised of 12 chapters, the book discusses the nature of deprivation; expansive leadership as an important feature in the schools; duties of principals’ and deputies’; teaching and learning; mobilisation and management of resources; school community partnership; school governance’ policy matters as well as school management teams’ lived experiences of transforming some of these schools. The book also features a guest chapter from Zimbabwe on ethical and responsible leadership in one of its schools.
Overall, the book is about how people, working together, can transform their own schools into viable, vibrant and moving institutions despite suffering deprivation. The authors believe that lessons therefore are relevant to all underprivileged schools around the world.
The book can be purchased at Nova Science Publishers.
Words and photograph: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Best Presenter Award for Biochemistry Academics
Professor Shahidul Islam (left) accepts his award from the President of the Korean Endocrine Society, Professor Dongsun Kim.Professor Shahidul Islam was awarded the prize for the Best Oral Presenter in the general category at the 2018 Seoul International Conference on Endocrinology and Metabolism (SICEM), an event organised by the Korean Endocrine Society.
Islam’s presentation was derived from his considerable research on the major public health problem of Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), a disease arising due to diet- and lifestyle-related factors. Over 90% of people affected by diabetes suffer from Type 2.
Islam explained that a major problem for diabetic patients is constant high blood glucose, or hyperglycaemia. If untreated, it can lead to numerous complications. To maintain a physiologically safe level of blood glucose, diabetic patients are required to reduce the sugar-derived calories that they consume, using sugar-free sweeteners as an alternative. These synthetic alternatives without calories, such as aspartame, neotame, saccharin, sucralose and cyclamate, are widely available on the market.
While chemically synthesised sugar substitutes are appealing because of their lack of calories, Islam is calling attention to their other side effects, some of which are potentially life-threatening.
In addition to chemically-derived sugar substitutes, Islam is also conducting research on the side effects of widely-available natural sugar substitutes such as fructose, high-fructose corn syrup and maple syrup, since chronic consumption of these sweeteners can also cause obesity. Obesity can be a factor in the development of Type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cerebral strokes, heart attacks and various other cardiovascular diseases.
His research has led him to investigate sugar alcohols, a type of natural sugar substitute which are neither sugar nor alcohol, but are synthesised by the hydrogenation of different types of sugars or carbohydrates, particularly mono- and di-saccharides. Sugar alcohols also feature similar or slightly less sweetness when compared to sucrose, and some feature lower calorific content. Islam has focused on the particular sugar alcohol of erythritol.
Islam’s recent study on erythritol found that while it does not reduce the absorption of glucose from the small intestine, it significantly increases glucose uptake for the production of energy, thereby reducing the blood glucose level in normal and diabetic conditions.
‘To understand the mechanisms behind the effects of erythritol on muscle glucose uptake, we investigated gene and protein expression which confirmed that erythritol induces muscular glucose uptake by enhancing the expression of some genes and proteins in the insulin signaling pathway,’ he said.
Islam is working on this research in collaboration with medical doctors and collaborators from St Claraspital Hospital in Basel, Switzerland, where the team’s clinical trials with erythritol and xylitol (another sugar alcohol) are running. Islam spent a month in Basel in 2017 establishing this collaboration. The researchers have published a number of papers in international journals concerning various sugar alcohols, including the European Journal of Nutrition, Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, the Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, the Journal of Food Science, Food and Function and the Journal of Medicinal Foods.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph supplied by: Shahidul Islam
author : .author email : .Umklomelo we-Prestigious LifeTime Achievement Kasaziwayo oyi-Hydrologist e-UKZN
USolwazi Roland Schulze (kwesobunxele) emukela umklomelo wakhe kuDkt Hellberg, i-oyiNhloko yakwa-Siemens e-Belgium.Click here for English version
U-Roland Schulze, onguSolwazi oyi-Emeritus kweze-Hydrology e-UKZN aphinde abe i-Senior Research Associate e-Centre for Water Resources Research (i-CWRR), uthole umklomelo we-Lifetime Achievement kuma-African Utility Week Industry Awards.
Umcimbi uklomelise abadlala indima kwezogesi namanzi e-Africa kuzigaba eziyi-12.
Zingaphezu kwama-600 izihambeli ezivela emazweni angama-30 ebezihambele lo mcimbi obusezingeni eliphezulu, abaningi bangochwepheshe abaziwayo ezimbonini zogesi namanzi. USchulze wathola umklomelo we-Lifetime Achievement ewunikezwa ngamajaji avela emhlabeni jikelele angama-22.
‘Ngiyaziqhenya futhi ngizizwa ngithinteka emoyeni,’ kusho uSchulze. Uzwakalise ukubonga kwabahlele lo mcimbi ngobusuku obuhle futhi angasoze abukhohlwa.
U-Schulze ubuyele emuva ekhuluma ngabantu nezikhungo ezimenze waba umuntu awuyena nempumelelo yakhe, kubalwe nabazali bakhe abahoxisa amaphupho abo ngenxa yokungabinayo imali, lokhu kwabenza bayeka ukufunda beneminyaka eyi-14 ukuze bayosebenza. Ubonge othisha bakhe ngokutshala imbewu yokusebenzisana nabanye, yokwazi kabanzi ngezemvelo kanye neyokuzimela. Ubonge abaqeqeshi bakhe baseNyuvesi, ikakhulukazi uSolwazi John Danial noPeter Tyson, ngokumkhuthaza ukuthi enze ucwaningo, kanye nasebenza naye uSolwazi Potgieter Meiring ngokumkhulula ekwenzeni umsebenzi wezesayensi.
Ubonge ngokukhethekile unkosikazi wakhe weminyaka engama-50, uWaltraut, kanye nezingane zabo ezimbili nabazukulu abayisikhombisa.
USchulze uphinde wabonga i-National Research Foundation, i-Water Research Commission (i-WRC), neminyango eyahlukene kahulumeni, abafundi bakhe be-Masters ne-PHD abanentshiseko, kanye nabacwaningi asebenza nabo ngokumeseka. Ubonge ukwesekwa abezemfundo lapho asebenza khona isikhathi esiningi ngokumvumela alethe ushintsho futhi aphumelele.
USchulze, ophethule izifundo zakhe ze-undergraduate, ze-Honours, ze-Masters kanye ne-PHD eNyuvesi yaseNatali, waqala ukusebenza njengo thisha wesayensi nezibalo esikoleni samabanga aphezulu, waba ingxenye ye-alma mater ngonyaka wezi-1969 lapho asebenza khona waze wathatha umhlalaphansi ngonyaka wezi-2007. Ekuqaleni kweminyaka wezi-1980s waphatha isifundo se-hydrology; lesi sifundi sakhula ngaphansi kobuholi bakhe sakha i-CWRR, useqeqesha abafundi abenza iziqu zamabanga aphansi abangaphezu kwama-150 kanye nabafundi abenza iziqu zamabanga aphezulu emhlabeni jikelele njalo ngonyaka.
U-Schulze wayenguSolwazi oyisivakashi e-IHE Delft Institute for Water Education ese-Netherlands nase-Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute. Usebe yingxenye yezifundo ezingaphezu kwe-100 ezimfushane ezikhuluma nge-hydrological modelling kanye nokushintsha kwesimo sezulu eNingizimu Afrika, Afrika naseYurophu.
Ukuba yingxenye kuka Schulze ocwaningweni lweze-hydrology lukazwelonke naphesheya sekuhambe iminyala engaphezu kwama-50, futhi eminyakeni engama-30 eyadlula ubeqhubeka nocwaningo oluphathelene nokushintsha kwesimo sezulu. Impumelelo yakhe eyinqophamlando ifaka ukuthuthukiswa kwe-Agricultural Catchments Research Unit (i-ACRU), uhlelo lwe-agro-hydrological modelling kanye ne-SCS-SA design hydrology simulating model.
Useshicilele imibhalo eyahlukahlukene engaphezu kwama-600 ngaphansi kwegama lakhe, kusukela kumaphephandaba kuya ezincwadini kanye nezihloko, miningi imibhalo esazophuma. Useqede izinsuku eziyisithupha zekhefu e-United Kingdom, e-Germany, e-United States kanye nase-Netherlands. U-Schulze useqeqeshe abafundi be-Masters ne-PHD abangama-20, kumanje uqeqesha abayisishagalombili. Laba ababengabafundi bakhe badlala indima enkulu emikhakheni eyahlukahlukene.
Imiklomelo ka-Schulze ihlanganisa i-Fellowship ye-University of Natal, i-Fellowship ye-Royal Society of South Africa, i-Life Membership ye-International Water Academy e-Norway, i-South African Institute of Agricultural Engineers (i-SAIAE) Fellowship, i-Membership ye-Academy of Science of South Africa kanye nemiklomelo eminingi yokuba uthisha oqavile. Unendondo yegolide nesiliva evela ku-SAIAE.
Usesebenze kumabhodi okuhlela amajenali esayensi amaningi emhlabeni jikelele, amaningi e-South African National Committees, amakomidi okululeka, kanye nama- WRC Project Steering Committees angama-74. Usesebenze kumabhodi/ amakomidi ahlukahlukene aphesheya, esebenzisa amakhono akhe ahlukene, esebenzela izinhlangano ezifaka i-United Nations, European Union kanye ne-UNESCO. Ngaphandle kwezokufunda, usesebenzele i-Board of Deutsche Schule Hermannsburg iminyaka engama-22, umkhandlu wasesontweni lakhe iminyaka engama-11, kanye ne-Board of Truestees e-Kew Gardens.
U-Schulze usemenywe ezingqungqutheleni zaphesheya ezingaphezu kwama-170 njengesikhulumi sosuku.
Umbono ka-Schulze ngekusasa lomkhakha wakhe wukuthi ama-Hydrologists nabaphathi bamanzi baqondisise ngokwenzekayo ohlelweni olubucayi lwezamanzi angaphansi komhlaba kanye emazweni anenselelo yokuntuleka kwamanzi Ugcizelele isidingo sokuba ochwepheshe, bashintshe izinto, bahlanganise ukugcinwa kwamanzi, ukudla kanye namandla ogesi.
Amagama: u-Christine Cuénod
Isithombe sithathwe ku-Roland Schulze SchulzeR@ukzn.ac.za
author : .author email : .Fulbright Scholar’s Overseas Training to Enable SA Molecular Research First
Dr Anathi Magadlela’s overseas training will enable molecular research first in South Africa.Dr Anathi Magadlela, a Plant Molecular Biologist in the School of Life Sciences, is the recipient of a Fulbright Visiting Research Scholar Program (FVRSP) which will enable him to conduct research in his field of expertise at an institution in the United States for three to nine months.
The FVRSP is intended to strengthen academic programs or curricula at the scholar’s home institution.
Magadlela has been at UKZN since 2016 after being drawn to the University’s international reputation of excellence in teaching and research. He completed his undergraduate and Honours studies at Walter Sisulu University, and his master’s and PhD degrees at Stellenbosch University. He focuses his research on functional and evolutionary aspects of plant-soil-microbe interactions during nutrient and drought stress.
Under the FVRSP, Magadlela will be undertaking molecular biological training at the Genetics and Developmental Biology Laboratory at West Virginia University in the United States from September 2018 to February 2019.
Magadlela was inspired to apply for the programme since this molecular research approach has not yet been attempted in South Africa, making it a first for the country. ‘Internationally, this approach of molecular eco-physiology of legumes is not very well established. However, this research training opportunity will afford me the ability to combine my existing skills with in-depth molecular biology, in order to bring a step-change to this field.
‘My previous research focused on the area of metabolic plant physiology of legumes during phosphorus stress, so this training will add incredible depth to my current whole plant research approach,’ said Magadlela.
The training he will receive under the fellowship will include the use of Illumina Next-Generation Sequencing, Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequence data analysis, generation of gene networks, phylogeny studies, real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) and gene cloning. Magadlela plans to implement these techniques in his research at UKZN.
Magadlela thanked his mother and sister, Ms Nobethu Magadlela and Ms Asanda Magadlela, for their financial and emotional support during his studies and credited his master’s and PhD supervisor Professor Alexander Valentine for his encouragement, motivation and exceptional guidance. He also acknowledged UKZN and the SLS in particular, for affording him the opportunity to grow as a scientist.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photograph supplied by: Anathi Magadlela
author : .author email : .College of Humanities Hosts First Gender, Religion and Sexuality Conference
From left: Professors David Spurrett, Kwok Pui Lan, Charlene van der Walt, Lilian Siwila and Dr Federico Settler. The School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics (SRPC) in the College of Humanities recently hosted the first Religion, Gender and Sexuality in Africa Conference.
The conference, held at the Pietermaritzburg campus, brought together more than 65 religion, gender and sexuality scholars and activists from around the Global South who presented papers and performances.
‘This conference not only asserted and showcased UKZN, as a leading school in the field of gender and sexuality studies, but also the multidisciplinary approach that we take to it in the College of Humanities,’ said Professor Charlene van der Walt, UKZN academic and Programme Leader of the postgraduate programme gender, religion and sexuality.
‘The conference organising committee has already contracted agreements to publish a selection of the conference papers in themed or special editions of three South African peer-reviewed journals and one edited volume following the review process,’ said van der Walt.
Professor Kwok Pui Lan from Emory University delivered the opening keynote address in which she explored the intersections of theology, gender, and sexuality, focusing on the concerns of African and African-American women.
‘Today, in the age of globalisation in which time and space are compressed, feminist theologians need to pay attention to how the global has impacted the local. As the cultural contexts have changed, feminist theologians from the Global South must constantly renew their hermeneutical tools and borrow insights from interdisciplinary studies of gender and sexuality.
‘Africans and Africans in diaspora have unique contributions to make because of their experience of cultural negotiation and social adaptation in many continents. They can offer a subversive story of globalisation and global impact, placing race at the centre to counteract White stories and myths,’ said Pui Lan.
In addition to negotiating with changing cultures and shifting gender and sexual norms, Pui Lan also said people need to deepen their postcolonial engagement with Biblical texts.
She offered her approaches of postcolonial feminist biblical criticism such as investigating the symbolisation of women and the deployment of gender in the text in relation to class, modes of production, status, power, and colonial domination.
‘We need to pay attention to the depiction of women in the contact zone, such as Rahab, and offer reconstructive readings as counter-narratives. Postcolonial feminist critics should scrutinise metropolitan interpretations, including those offered by both male and feminist scholars, to see if their readings support colonising ideology,’ she said.
Pui Lan suggests subverting Eurocentric readings, postcolonial feminist critics, especially those from Africa, to emphasise the roles and contributions of ordinary and nonacademic female readers. She stated that she has also learned much from colleagues such as Professors Gerald West from UKZN, Mercy Oduyoye from Ghana and Musa Dube from Botswana in their reading of the Bible with grassroots communities.
‘Postcolonial feminist interpreters need to pay attention to the politics of the social location of the critic and the poetics of location. The pioneering generation of African and African American women theologians - Musimbi Kanyoro, Esther Mombo, Jacqueline Grant, Delores Williams, Katie Geneva Cannon, and others have spoken truth to power in their own ways.
‘They have broadened our visions, to imagine other ways of thinking about God and the world. We are grateful to their work and witness,’she said.
UKZN was also showcased through paper presentations by 11 academic staff, 13 students, and three postdoctoral fellows who come from a range of disciplines including religion and theology, drama, law, social work, public health and education.
One of the highlights of the conference was a variety of performances hosted in the evenings after the paper session including a drama performance by Pumelela Nqelenga and Nomcebisi Moyikwa, story-telling by renowned African storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe titled Sitting in the Story Circle and an evening of jazz with Salim Washington and Sankofa.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
author : .author email : .Honouring Distinguished Teachers
From left: Professor Gueguim Kana, Dr Ansurie Pillay, and Professor Naven Chetty at UKZN’s Distinguished Teachers’ Dinner.UKZN academics, Professor Naven Chetty, Professor Gueguim Kana and Dr Ansurie Pillay received Distinguished Teachers’ Awards at a gala dinner hosted by the University’s Teaching and Learning Office (UTLO) at Coastlands on the Ridge.
Welcoming guests, Professor Bala Pillay, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, said the awards recognise and reward excellent teaching. He remarked that while in the past, teaching was often seen as research’s “poor cousin,” there has been a global shift to recognise good teaching, adding that educational institutions are the biggest assets we have.’
Chetty, an Associate Professor in the School of Chemistry and Physics, was recognised for his innovative approach to teaching. Chetty tries to keep students “engrossed and entertained” and uses YouTube and mobile apps to reach “techno-savvy” students.
Kana, an Associate Professor in the School of Life Sciences, was recognised for his excellent teaching portfolio as well his student-centred approach. Kana said he takes into account the different interests of students and uses web-based interactive tools in his teaching.
Pillay, a senior lecturer in the School of Education, was recognised for her excellent teaching portfolio and promotion of transformative education for social justice and change.
Pillay said she gets a “high” from teaching and emphasised the importance of ensuring students do not feel marginalised.
UKZN alumnus and Cape Peninsula University of Technology academic, Mr Siddique Motala, delivered the keynote address titled Between Art and Science: Storytelling and Ethics in Engineering Education.
Motala emphasised the importance of relating knowledge to the everyday lives of students.
Motala advocated for ethics, social justice, a deliberate focus on Africa, and ‘making space for the students’ voices.’
The event was rounded off by a video montage of the DTA awardees and a selection of their students.
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photograph: Albert Hirasen
author : .author email : .