Brand Awareness Campaign for Staff and Students
UKZN promotes brand awareness through its Corporate Identity Manual.UKZN’s Corporate Relations Division (CRD) hosted a virtual awareness campaign to educate staff and students on the Institution’s corporate identity and how it can be used effectively.
In her welcome address, the custodian of UKZN’s communications and marketing strategy, Executive Director: CRD, Ms Normah Zondo, highlighted the importance of communicating a strong and coherent corporate identity.
‘To ensure consistency in using the UKZN brand, we have developed the University Corporate Identity Manual incorporating basic usage guidelines. It is vital that all our stakeholders understand and use these guidelines to ensure that our corporate image and identity is consistent, clear, and effective,’ she said.
Taking participants through some of the important guidelines in the manual, Principal Graphic Designer, Mr Lungelo Ngcobo, highlighted the preferred logo as being a full-colour landscape with deviations being a white logo against a dark background, with a black logo only to be used when colour reproduction is not possible. He also noted that the portrait version of the logo requires approval.
Listing some of the don’ts of logo usage, he said, ‘don’t distort the logo by squashing or stretching it; don’t add effects or filters, change the colour of any of the elements, place the logo over imagery or busy backgrounds of any kind, tilt or turn it in various directions, separate the logotype from the symbol in any manner, change the font of the descriptor or the letterhead, use a low resolution for print or a pixelated logo for digital platforms, or place the logo on a background that uses the same colour(s) as the logo.’
Ngcobo reviewed global brands such as Nike and Harvard University and their guidelines for logo usage and noted that UKZN follows international branding standards.
Focusing on fonts, he said that Century Gothic Bold is reserved for taglines, Myriad Pro is the preferred font for institutional and template adverts, and Arial is a general font for PowerPoint presentations.
Ngcobo added that a symbol for the UKZN acronym would be introduced this year to fit into tight spaces such as QR codes, social media, etc., and reported on progress made in designing College-themed invitations.
He said that in partner logo invitations, the UKZN logo should be on the left, with the co-sponsor on the right, separated by a 30% black line separator. ‘If the University is not the main partner, the UKZN logo can be placed on the right, with the main sponsor on the left.’
Regarding corporate clothing, Ngcobo also highlighted that the full-colour logo should only be used on white golfs or t-shirts, while coloured ones use a single-coloured logo.
During the question and answer session, the Manager for Student Health and Sport, Mr Mark Bashe, encouraged sporting clubs and societies to educate themselves on using the logo and branding when creating apparel that represents the University.
For queries or comments, contact the Corporate Relations team at Corporaterelations@ukzn.ac.za
To view the Corporate Identity Brand Awareness Campaign webinar, click here.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .Professor Promotes Street Law in India
Professor David McQuoid-Mason.Law Professor at UKZN David McQuoid-Mason visited India from 28 February to 10 March to run Street Law social justice workshops and deliver papers on aspects of social justice and human rights at two conferences. He also received international awards and recognition for his clinical legal education work in more than 60 Commonwealth and other countries.
On 1 March McQuoid-Mason conducted a full-day Street Law workshop on aspects of social justice at the National University of Law, Delhi for staff and students at the institution and elsewhere.
He attended the Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) Golden Jubilee International Conference to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the CLEA from 2 to 4 March, where he made four presentations and received two international awards.
On 2 March, McQuoid-Mason conducted another Street Law workshop and chaired the CLEA Biannual General Meeting at which he retired as President of the CLEA after serving for 27 years. He was replaced by Professor Siva Sivakumar of the Indian Law Institute, and was subsequently elected as President Emeritus of the CLEA.
From 3 to 5 March 2023, he chaired sessions on combating corruption, money laundering and transnational crime, including one at which his two ex-students and colleagues, Drs Franaaz Khan (now at the University of Johannesburg), and Vishal Surbun (UKZN), presented papers.
On 4 March, McQuoid-Mason received the First Professor NR Madhava Menon CLEA-Global Legal Education Award, the citation for which is engraved on a bronze tablet that states, inter alia:
‘Possessing the inestimable attributes of empathy, fortitude, tenacity, alliance, and readiness, Prof. David J. McQuoid-Mason has wielded a remarkable influence in the realm of legal education, not only in South Africa, but also throughout the world…Labouring unremittingly to empower socially disadvantaged sections through providing free legal aid and legal literacy, Prof. Mason has brought forth the light of justice, shining it upon those who would otherwise have been left in the shadows…’
He also received two other plaques commemorating the event.
From 5 to 9 March, Professor McQuoid-Mason attended the Commonwealth Lawyers Conference in Goa where he assisted in organising the CLEA Commonwealth Moot Competition and presented a paper to Commonwealth lawyers on The Right to Death with Dignity: A Basic Human Right - with Particular Reference to South Africa.
He commented on his Indian experiences: ‘After attending the CLEA sessions on combatting corruption, money laundering and transnational crime, I realised that we need to harness the type of energy that we used to fight apartheid during the struggle for democracy to combat these three evils that are destroying development in our country. The Southern Africa Chapter of the CLEA under the auspices of the Society of Law Teachers of Southern Africa will arrange follow-up workshops and training sessions for staff members at all law faculties and schools in Southern Africa later in 2023 so that these subjects are embedded in law curricula.’
Words: Thandiwe Jumo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Academic to Serve on Ministerial Task Team to Review Education White Paper 6
Professor Nithi Muthukrishna.Click here for the isiZulu version
Professor Emeritus in the School of Education, Nithi Muthukrishna has been appointed by the Minister of Basic Education Ms Angie Motshekga to serve as a member of the task team to review Education White Paper 6 on Special Needs Education: Building an Inclusive Education and Training System.
Muthukrishna said, ‘I am honoured to be yet again appointed to participate in a significant policy-making process in the country, and to contribute to the agenda of social justice, equity and quality education for all.’
Amongst the tasks she will be involved in are the development and management of the implementation framework and management plan for the review of the White Paper; creating a future vision, principles and strategies to build an inclusive education and training system; and investigating the implications for the education system as a whole, including curriculum and institutional development.
To the task team, Motshekga said, ‘I wish you success in carrying out this historic national task and I am sure that you will perform your duties with innovation, sensitivity, dedication and the necessary vision that it deserves.’
Muthukrishna is Professor Extraordinarius in the College of Education, University of South Africa (Unisa). She has been active in policy development in South Africa since 1994. In 1995, she was appointed by the Minister of Education to serve on the National Review Committee on the Organisation, Governance and Funding of Schools (Hunter Committee). This process informed the development of the South African Schools Act of 1996. In 1996-1997, she was appointed by former South African President Nelson Mandela to serve as a member of the National Commission on Special Needs in Education and Training.
Her research interests lie in the areas of social justice education; critical diversity studies; social inclusion/exclusion and childhood studies. She continues to publish in local and international peer-reviewed journals, and is engaged in postgraduate supervision. Over the years, she has served as an education consultant for national and international institutions and organisations in the field of education.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Building Bridges Between Two Continents for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods
Dr Leith Deacon (left) and Professor Betty Mubangizi.Click here for the isiZulu version
In August 2022, UKZN and the University of Guelph, Canada (UofG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to support cross-national, collaborative research and funding opportunities.
Professor Betty Mubangizi (UKZN) and Dr Leith Deacon (UofG) led this effort. Mubangizi is the Chair of Sustainable Rural Livelihoods based in the College of Law and Management Studies. She leads critical research that explores the opportunities and challenges confronting institutions in implementing development policies in Africa’s rural areas. Deacon is an Associate Professor in the Rural Planning and Development Program and is the primary investigator for a research programme on governance, resilience, mental health, planning, and policy, primarily related to small and rural communities.
The MOU formalises a relationship to support research that contributes to better understanding of the complexities and challenges that rural communities experience and how academia can assist in developing appropriate and reflective responses. It is based on a shared objective to support collaborative efforts to develop and disseminate research. The collaboration will support joint funding applications, co-authored publications and student/faculty exchanges. The MOU ensures that all data, communication, and outputs are ethically shared and distributed.
Given the variations between the two counties, to better understand both contexts, Deacon travelled to South Africa in February 2023. While supporting research capacity within each institution is important, Mubangizi and Deacon seek to ensure that the realities and challenges in each location are given adequate and equitable consideration.
Mubangizi and Deacon travelled to Matatiele in the Eastern Cape for a tour of the Umzimvubu Catchment hosted by the Umzimvubu Catchment Partnership (UCP) during its quarterly meeting. The five-hour drive was filled with images of rolling hills of sugar cane, pockets of pine forest, impressive mountains, and several small communities with scattered dwellings and children walking to and from school. Matatiele is a service centre for many of the small villages in the surrounding area and is home to medical, retail, and municipal services.
The UCP’s three-day programme was aligned with the United Nations’ Decade of Restoration and supported the ideals of Mubangizi’s Chair to explore challenges in implanting rural policy while building students’ research capacity. On the first day, Mubangizi and Deacon participated in a Wetlands and Waste field day with several stops that examined local issues, primarily around water management. They met with local councillors, representatives of international organisations, academics and students. There was also significant participation and representation from local residents who came out to ask questions and engage with the partners. While this was an educational outing, it was also an opportunity to support engagement with rural communities and residents.
The second day was dedicated to knowledge transmission and translation. There were several presentations on research being conducted in consultation with local support groups across the catchment. One presentation in particular by representatives of The EcoChamps - a group of young community-based extension workers who aim to increase the capacity of local populations to support sustainability - was indicative of the type of work supported by UKZN and its dedication to capacity building. Another presentation was on the recently completed project in which Mubangizi was a co-principal investigator.
Day three focused on policy and governance. Mubangizi led a critical discussion around the development of a research protocol to support and streamline research requests within and across the Umzimvubu catchment. Important discussions were held on ethics, participation, and local involvement and how this could increase capacity. The in-depth discussions were inclusive and participatory, with a range of people from various organisations contributing.
On the second day of the programme, Deacon delivered a presentation (via Zoom) to a small rural community in Canada. He began by describing Matatiele and noted that, while there are obvious differences between rural Canada and rural South Africa, there are similarities. Deacon highlighted the need to provide opportunities for all residents to have a voice in policy development and that the work led by UKZN is not dissimilar to that of the UofG; conducting research that supports all citizens - rural and urban - to have equitable access to resources and develop sustainability.
Later this year, Mubangizi and Deacon will travel to Uganda to launch a project that will investigate how COVID-19 was experienced by rural residents. Deacon recently led a project in Canada that surveyed more than 24 000 residents of rural communities about their experiences during the pandemic. The responses from Canada and Uganda will be compared to determine what was successful and what policies were effective and to share this information. The MOU between UKZN and the UofG will continue to support this shared project and outputs in the form of conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications will provide additional information to inform rural policy.
Words: NdabaOnline
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Health Sciences Researchers Featured in Mental Health Documentary
A behind the scenes look at Journey to Recovery.Mental illness is like any other illness. These were the words of audience members at a pre-screening of Journey to Recovery, a poignant documentary that explores the real-life journeys of Ms Fiona Pillay and Mr Christopher “Jomo” Mlambo.
Shot in Durban, Lindelani township, Ndwedwe and on UKZN’s Medical School campus, the documentary presents an intimate close-up of Pillay and Mlambo’s experiences as a snapshot of broader issues within South Africa’s mental healthcare system. The subjects and their families allowed themselves to be vulnerable after being approached by producer Mr Blessing Nemadziva who heard Pillay’s story at a wellness day event at the Durban University of Technology.
‘Her talk, though sad, was very fascinating for many reasons. First, I did not quite understand the bipolar condition. Then there was the issue of substance abuse among young people, and from the symptoms that Fiona had described, I felt it was extremely difficult to distinguish between someone suffering from the bipolar condition and someone under the influence of drugs,’ said Nemadziva.
‘Several weeks after the Wellness Fair, I found myself hunting for Fiona. I wanted answers. I wanted to know more about this sophisticated condition. Fiona was very kind to offer me an interview and I did a short video raising awareness about the condition among students.
‘At the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns, while aimlessly scanning through my computer files, I stumbled across that short video. Fiona’s journey was a story that just needed to be told. Six months into my research, I was amazed at what I had unearthed. It was no longer a story of Fiona’s journey. It became an extraordinary story at the intersections of science, culture, and spirituality. A truly African mental health story.’
And so, began his journey of documenting the struggles and triumphs of mental health conditions within South Africa’s complex sociocultural contexts. The production crew included Nemadziva (Producer/Director/Researcher), Mr Douglas Odoh (Director/Editor), Mr Thobani Maphumulo (Producer), Mr Thomas van der Spuy (Cinematographer/Camera), and Ms Linda Makhathini (Sound). UKZN’s Professor Bonga Chiliza (HoD Discipline of Psychiatry) made a significant contribution, providing expert commentary on a range of issues within South Africa’s mental healthcare system.
The production team paid tribute to other UKZN staff members who were key in the making of the film, including:
Dr Nondumiso Dlamini (HoD Discipline of Radiology)
Dr Zama Msibi (Discipline of Physiology)
Dr Avi Gobindlall (Discipline of Radiology)
Dr Lindokuhle Thela (Discipline of Psychiatry)
Mrs Yogavellie Govender (Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Discipline of Radiology)
Ms Nuraan Mahomed (IALCH, Discipline of Radiology)
Ms Sthembile Jili (Discipline of Psychiatry)
Pillay said: ‘Given the stigma that surrounds mental health, especially bipolar mood disorder, I am hoping that this documentary is going to be one of hope for other sufferers. I want them to know that with lifestyle changes, the illness won’t be as bad.’
She advocated for identifying triggers, exercise, and healthy eating. ‘I realised that what I was putting into my brain was what I was going to get out during an episode,’ she said.
Neuroscientist in UKZN’s Department of Physiology Dr Zama Msibi commended the film as mental health often takes a backseat to other conditions. ‘We have made big strides with other conditions, but we are still lagging when it comes to mental health,’ she said.
Ms Hloniphiwe Mlambo (Jomo’s sister) implored government to be more active in addressing mental health challenges and expressed her appreciation to him and Pillay for sharing their stories and to the producers for giving them the opportunity to help overcome the stigma often associated with mental health illnesses.
Finishing touches including mastering of sound and colour correction are being added to the documentary which is expected to launch at some international film festivals later this year. The project was funded by the KZN Film Commission.
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Alumni Get-Togethers in Cape Town 2023
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UKZN alumni together with guest speaker, Professor Komala Pillay and Convocation President, Dr Qiniso Mlita (top left).Click here for the isiZulu version
UKZN’s Alumni Relations Office co-ordinated get-togethers for alumni in Cape Town on Friday, 24 and Saturday, 25 March. These events were particularly special as they were the first to be held in Cape Town after a lengthy absence due to COVID-19 protocols.
The first event took the form of afternoon tea at The Table Bay Hotel at the Waterfront and was hosted by the Alumni Relations team, Dr Qiniso Mlita (President and Chair of Convocation) and Ms Normah Zondo (Executive Director: Corporate Relations Division). Guests had the opportunity to network with one another and the UKZN staff in attendance.
The second event, a well-attended dinner at the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, provided an opportunity for alumni, donors and friends of UKZN to renew acquaintance, meet fellow alumni and be updated on developments at their alma mater. It featured an interesting and informative talk by alumnus, the Wernher and Beit Chair and Head of Pathology at the University of Cape Town, Professor Komala Pillay. Her address, titled: Give the path less travelled a chance - it may turn out to be magical, covered anecdotes on her career and life experiences and conveyed a positive and uplifting message.
Mlita highlighted recent developments at UKZN and the Convocation Executive Committee’s mission and encouraged attendees to support the University in whatever way they can. Zondo provided a comprehensive overview on current developments at UKZN and introduced the speakers.
All attendees went home with information packs containing the latest University publications and a corporate gift.
Words: Finn Christensen
Photographs: Nomcebo Msweli and Calvin Govender
author : .author email : .MCom Student Attends World Science Forum Conference
Participants during the World Science Forum Conference in Cape Town.Master of Commerce in Marketing student Ms Kelisha Pandaram, who attended the World Science Forum Conference in Cape Town last year, said it was an opportunity to explore how science and commerce can be merged to come up with solutions to global challenges.
Pandaram was selected as a student representative from the College of Law and Management Studies to participate in the 2022 Habitable Planet Workshop under the National Research Foundation (NRF) during the WSF conference.
The WSF is one of the most influential global platforms to interrogate what roles science should play in society. The event convened under the theme of ‘Science for Social Justice’ where different organisations debated what role science should play in ensuring resources, and opportunities in society.
‘Science and business are often treated as two separate disciplines. The forum focused on the social and economic relevance, influence, and responsibilities of science,’ she said.
Pandaram hopes to use her research to bring together scientists, businesses, and leaders to come up with strategies to address environmental degradation and inequality and promote sustainability, peace, and justice.
‘I am passionate about commerce and science and plan to incorporate both in my research to identify innovative solutions to global challenges such as climate change and to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),’ she said.
This biennial conference brought together leading global science organisations and government officials and business leaders from across the globe. The most recent event involved 150 lectures in different sessions addressing current concerns of Social Justice and ethical challenges arising from the rapid advances in technology.
‘I had the privilege of networking with many accomplished people, including astronauts, scientists, researchers, leaders, representatives and ministers, from all over the world. Amongst distinguished guests were His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa, Honourable Minister of Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, and CEO and Space Adventures traveler Dr Anousheh Ansari. It was truly an enlightening and inspirational experience,’ said Pandaram.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN’s International Journal of African Higher Education Receives Scopus Recognition
Professor Damtew Teferra, Founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of African Higher Education (IJAHE).Click here for the isiZulu version
The International Journal of African Higher Education (IJAHE) founded by Professor of Higher Education in the School of Education Damtew Teferra has been recognised and accepted by Scopus, the largest abstract and citation database of peer-reviewed literature (scientific journals, books and conference proceedings).
As a multidisciplinary journal, the IJAHE publishes research articles, essays and reviews on a multitude of Higher Education issues in Africa. It also publishes comparative, theme-based special issues. The journal not only publishes articles on the theory and practice of African Higher Education by scholars around the world, but also strongly encourages Higher Education practitioners on the continent to contribute and share their expertise and experience.
‘Only a tiny number of African journals are included in Scopus’ list. It is deeply gratifying, professionally and personally, that this is the only journal on Higher Education in and on Africa with such recognition - and the second journal at UKZN with such status. It has taken 10 years of hard work and an enormous amount of time and energy to obtain this recognition since the establishment of the journal in 2014,’ said Teferra.
Professor Sandile Songca, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning at UKZN said, ‘Congratulations to the IJAHE. This is a notable milestone for UKZN, the College of Humanities, and the African Higher Education sector. With the difficult times facing the sector internationally, which are exacerbated in Africa, this recognition will go a long way in enhancing the developmental goals of Higher Education, primarily equity, which the African Union has singled out as being at the centre of developmental priorities.’
Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize added, ‘This is an astounding achievement and we are proud that the journal is associated with our Institution.’
The IJAHE, which is published in partnership with multiple partners including the Association of African Universities, has also received sustained support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the Center for International Higher Education and the libraries of Boston College.
Teferra is a convener and founder of the Higher Education Forum for Africa, Asia and Latin America (HEFAALA). He is the chair of the Ethiopian Ministry of Education’s Advisory Council and facilitator of the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2016-25) Higher Education Cluster coordinated by the Association of African Universities. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and other think pieces and 10 books, including two award winning ones: African Higher Education: An International Reference Handbook (Indiana University Press, 2003) and Funding Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (Palgrave MacMillan, 2013).
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Symposium Interrogates Student Access and Success in Higher Education
Scenes from the Access and Success Symposium.UKZN’s Access and Success Advisory Forum (ASAF) which provides ongoing advice and support to the University’s Teaching and Learning Office (UTLO), hosted the Access and Success Symposium as part of the Siyaphumelela Network collaboration. Siyaphumelela, a national organisation, funded by the Kresge Foundation endeavours to broaden student access, success and quality in Higher Education.
The symposium which aimed to create awareness of how students’ approach, navigate and progress through Higher Education, provided a platform for ASAF members to present their research projects.
Director of Teaching and Learning, Professor Rubby Dhunpath said that the forum’s first gathering in 2020 resulted in the generation of a ‘theory of change and a model that encompasses the full trajectory of the student engagement and experience’. A range of student-centred projects and interventions were designed including the First-Year Experience (FYE) Programme, and the AutoScholar Advisor Platform used in the Cum Laude Tracking Project.
In his keynote address, Professor Victor Borden from Indiana University Bloomington in the USA shone a light on empowering change agents. Borden discussed four social psychological constructs that are required to promote change in Higher Education, namely, actor-observer bias; the self-determination theory which includes the basic human needs of competence, autonomy and relatedness; a fixed versus growth mindset; and generativity versus stagnation. ‘These are the ideas you have to grapple with to place yourself on a motivational spectrum that empowers you to take this work to places that make a difference for all students,’ he said.
Dean of Teaching and Learning in the College of Humanities, Professor Ruth Hoskins outlined the FYE programme which aims to support and assist first-year students as they transition from high school to campus life. She noted that it arose from the need to change how first-year students, particularly those from Quintile 1 and 3 schools, are inducted into the University. Highlighting the importance of becoming a change agent for the University, which requires understanding what is required of one, Hoskins encouraged staff members to embed themselves in UKZN’s vision, mission and values. She added that the Institution had re-envisioned the FYE programme, which was formerly College-based and highlighted its achievement of transitioning 10 000 students each year.
Ten presentations were made by ASAF members under the themes: Building a Culture of Using Data for Decision Making; Developing Systems for Enhancing Student Success; Redesigning the Curriculum for Student Success; Aligning the Curriculum to Advance Valued Graduate Attributes; Evaluating the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Student Support Systems at UKZN; At Risk Identification: Students, Courses and Programmes; Assessment Policy and Practices that Enhance Student Success; and Investigating Student Exceptionality.
Professor Oliver Mtapuri and Dr Ruwayda Petrus’ presentation on Exploring the Experience and Impact of Transitioning to Remote/Online Assessments on Student Academic Performance at UKZN interrogated the diverse assessment methods and tools adopted in the transition to online learning. Professor Orhe Arek-Bawa shared how this research is being adapted for a book titled, Assessment: Theory and Practice in Higher Education, which is set to be published later this year.
Ms Sethu Nguna an Instructional Designer at the UTLO examined her topic of Student Voices in Shaping Assessment Practices at UKZN and the extent to which students are afforded opportunities to negotiate and influence assessment practices, while Professor Randhir Rawatlal addressed the topic of how Advising at Scale: Pathways from Risk to Reward could predict and warn students of the potential of being at risk by using the mean of each class assessment. Dr Samukelisiwe Khumalo presented on Student Academic Success: Enhancing Potential Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude Students’ Success and discussed the use of the AutoScholar Advisor System to support and maintain students’ academic achievements.
Other presentations included: Graduate Attributes: Exploring Students Expectations; How Does the Programme Curriculum Design Influence Student Success? Reflective Voices of Final Year Undergraduate Students; Technology Enhanced Student Engagement with Student Support Services in the College of Health Sciences, UKZN; Students’ Attitudes Towards E-Learning in the College of Law and Management Studies, UKZN; and Entrenching Blended in “Blended Learning”.
In his closing address, Borden highlighted the importance of developing an evaluation design before creating an assessment system. ‘The key to education in the future lies in obtaining the information and making a connection in real-time. It’s not about retaining information anymore, but about having the skills to find it and apply it effectively.’
He encouraged Higher Education Institutions to take a step back on producing publications and to focus more on transformational outcomes. Borden urged academics to become more familiar and nuanced with online teaching strategies as holograms will play an increasingly important role in the future. He also highlighted the importance of the student voice, but questioned what role the voice of basic education plays.
Discussion sessions were held throughout the symposium, with the primary focus being whether the Higher Education degrees on offer are producing the required graduate attributes and promote graduate employability. Mr Abdulbaqi Badru, a Technology Consultant at UTLO reflected on the importance of reviewing whether Higher Education Institutions are meeting students’ expectations ‘when 90% of students expect to get jobs after they attain their qualification but are not’.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Claiming Human Rights in a Challenging Context
Guest speaker at the Human Rights lecture, and Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission, Ms Philile Ntuli.How do we claim, promote and protect human rights in the context of a “disappearing state”? This question was posed by UKZN alumnus and Commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Ms Philile Ntuli, at UKZN’s annual lecture to commemorate Human Rights Month.
Addressing the theme, Claiming, Protecting and Promoting Human Rights in an Age of Increased Socio-economic Disparities and Climate Change, Ntuli quoted Professor Barney Pityana’s human rights address at the SAHRC, which characterised South Africa as a “disappearing state”.
She said that South Africa’s Constitution had been celebrated since 1996 but has yet to address the deep divides and economic inequalities in society. Noting that 10% of the population owns more than 85% of the country’s total wealth, Ntuli listed some of the challenges that continue to plague South Africa, including the unprecedented energy crisis; high risk of economic stagnation; increasing infrastructure problems; climate change; record unemployment rates; elevated public debt and government corruption. ‘The contradiction between the reverence for our Constitution and the reality of being in the most unequal country in the world is one that should compel us to collectively seek new questions in pursuit of claiming, protecting and promoting human rights,’ she said.
Reflecting on Pityana’s address which likened South Africa to a “broken society and a nation in despair” due to the local government’s failure to deliver basic services such as access to food, sanitation, water and a clean environment, Ntuli reviewed the SAHRC’s role in promoting, protecting, developing, monitoring, investigating and seeking appropriate redress where human rights are violated. She said the commission had successfully executed its mandate but was concerned about growing human rights violations regarding service delivery.
She raised the need for a thorough human rights impact assessment of all economic policy and budgetary decisions, particularly at the local government level; citizens playing an active role in the affairs and administration of local government; and local media keeping the community abreast of government developments.
She also called on UKZN and its community to play a critical role in leading society, shaping the trajectory of emerging theories and discourses in this debate, and finding solutions through research and practical orientation by establishing ‘a centre of activism in pursuit of social justice’.
In her welcome address, Executive Director: Corporate Relations Division, Ms Normah Zondo, highlighted that the annual Human Rights lecture offers a platform for collaboration and exchanging ideas. ‘This event not only acknowledges the urgency of the issues we face but also serves as a commitment to finding solutions that safeguard our rights and those of future generations in the face of these challenges.’
Summarising the keynote address, senior lecturer in the School of Law, Dr Janine Hicks, listed a variety of questions which set the framework for a discussion, namely: How do the laws outlined in the Constitution become a lived reality for ordinary people? Why is the attainment of these rights so difficult? How do we respond to these persistent barriers? How do we use the Constitution to bring about the change needed? What do we do when the state isn’t delivering on its elected mandate? And whose role is it to claim, protect and promote human rights?
Acknowledging the role of Higher Educations Institutions in growing and producing the next generation of leaders, Hicks asked whether, instead of creating new theories and debates, the scope for new citizen action and public participation is needed.
In closing, Director for University Relations, Ms Xoliswa Zulu, thanked the keynote speaker, panellists, and attendees: ‘Following today’s engagement, I hope everyone will leave here with renewed vigour to challenge and change the things important to you and your community, no matter how big or small.’
Click here to watch the webinar.
Words: Hlengiwe Khwela
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Hosts Professor Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture
Guests at the Professor Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture.Click here for the isiZulu version
The School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics (SRPC)), in collaboration with the Cluster of Theological Institutions and United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) hosted the annual Professor Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture that honours the late UKZN staff member.
De Gruchy was one of UKZN’s outstanding academics and a globally celebrated theologian. He founded the Theology and Development Programme at UKZN and served as the Head of the SRPC. De Gruchy’s commitment to issues of justice and liberation were evident in his involvement in the Students’ Union for Christian Action and his stance as a conscientious objector in the 1980s. He served as a youth pastor at Rondebosch Congregational Church and as an ordained minister in the Athlone UCCSA.
Professor Simangaliso Kumalo, acting Dean of the SRPC, welcomed guests to the event, noting that congregationalism was introduced to the School by de Gruchy and that his legacy will live on.
‘He made a huge contribution in the community with his great work ethic. It was Steve de Gruchy who facilitated the signing of the MOU with UCCSA to establish the UCCSA House of Studies on the Pietermaritzburg campus that enables UCCSA students to study at UKZN. He also opened doors for UCCSA scholars to be seconded by the church to serve as researchers and teachers at the University, fully paid by the church,’ he added.
The lecture was delivered by Professor Edgardo Colón-Emeric, the Dean of Duke Divinity School, Irene and William McCutchen Professor of Reconciliation and Theology, and Director of the Centre for Reconciliation. ‘De Gruchy was an ecumenist who wrote about the work of Joseph Wing, commonly known as Mr Unity. He emphasised that unity, ecumenical movements and non-racialism are part of God’s mission,’ he said.
Colón-Emeric focused on the need for faith communities to work collaboratively for the liberation of marginalised members of society. He drew examples from the work, life and sacrifices made by Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of San Salvador who fought for justice for the oppressed, and highlighted the need for theological education rooted in the radical ecumenical tradition to produce church leaders who will work for the liberation and development of the poor and oppressed. He added that, while unity is the goal of the ecumenical movement, it is not always the goal of the Church. This needs to change if the Church’s mission in the world is to be credible.
Thanking everyone involved in the event, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Humanities, Professor Nhlanhla Mkhize said, ‘We are honoured to host the Professor de Gruchy lecture and are very proud of his legacy.’
The Professor Steve de Gruchy Memorial Lecture can be viewed here.
Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Webinar Explores ChatGPT and AI in Education
Panellists from left: Professors Hafizah Cheniah, Grace Leung, Gueguim Kana, and Andre Vosloo.UKZN’s School of Life Sciences (SLS) hosted a dialogue on the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT in teaching and learning, and research in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Dean and Head of the SLS Professor Ademola Olaniran described AI as computers and machines’ ability to perform human tasks, enabling machines to learn from experience and creating opportunities for progress in critical issues in health, education, and the environment.
ChatGPT, the AI chatbot developed by OpenAI and released in November 2022 was trained on massive text data to deliver human-like responses to prompts, engage in written conversation, and even generate original creative writing pieces and draft research abstracts, causing concern in the Higher Education sector. It made headlines for being able to pass prestigious graduate-level university examinations.
‘[According to CNN Business], this will change the way we use the Internet and the way we create. It adds to the ongoing challenging questions we have around how AI tools can upend professions and shift our relationship with technology, and enable students to cheat,’ said Olaniran.
The discussions were targeted at initiating a regional community of practice on the use of AI tools in teaching and learning, and research spaces.
Academic Leader (AL) of Teaching and Learning (T&L) in the SLS Professor Andre Vosloo chaired the panel comprising Olaniran, Professors Hafizah Cheniah and Gueguim Kana of the SLS and the University of Johannesburg’s Vice Dean of Teaching and Learning Professor Grace Leung.
‘We need everyone’s input and creativity to get around this disruption and harness the potential of these new technologies in our diverse fields,’ said Vosloo.
Cheniah, whose research focuses on antimicrobial resistance and drug discovery using microbes, is interested in using active and blended learning strategies to engage students and improve skills development. She emphasised that ChatGPT is a narrow AI that focuses on narrowly defined tasks and should not be anthropomorphised or feared.
Cheniah said it is important to formulate concrete recommendations not only for detection but also to improve students’ learning processes and teachers’ delivery.
She highlighted the limitations of the tool but said it could bring about a shift in skills-based and problem-solving educational approaches. She delved into critical issues associated with AI technology from ethical concerns to the entrenchment of the digital divide.
‘ChatGPT is this worldwide experiment that OpenAI is carrying out, using us to further train its machine tools,’ said Cheniah.
‘AI is not a replacement for human teachers; it’s a tool to augment and support our humanised, transformative teaching,’ she said.
She suggested focusing on knowledge application and student engagement with ChatGPT outputs that encourage critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving.
Leung is a computer scientist who teaches software engineering ethics and computer forensics. She addressed the topic of ChatGPT being a co-pilot in the classroom, noting that there are several applications of this technology that could be taken advantage of. She described large language models and addressed issues including copyright, racism, inaccuracies, old knowledge, and the re-training of the model. She demonstrated ChatGPT by asking and answering multiple-choice questions, creating lesson plans, and writing academic essays, while noting its limitations.
‘If used correctly, ChatGPT can be a good tool to start someone on their lesson plan and reinforce their learning,’ said Leung.
Leung also highlighted other AI tools such as Microsoft Bing for up-to-date information.
Kana, a bioprocess technology expert with a keen interest in the application of AI in process modelling and optimisation, began exploring the use of AI a decade ago. He spoke about the future of postgraduate research and harnessing the power of ChatGPT, detailing the practical use of appropriate prompts for the entire scientific research process.
‘The capabilities of this technology are tremendous; it will outline the most important element of your research and provide information to include in your proposal: the background, the research gap, the research objectives, the methodology to be used, the expected outcome, and can even advise on sources of funding,’ said Kana.
‘ChatGPT could streamline the effort in developing research work and give enough time to our students to acquire skills that will increase their employability,’ he said.
‘There is a need to re-think not only how we assess students, but what we teach and how we teach it,’ said Kana.
In his role as AL of T&L, Vosloo has guided the SLS through a tumultuous period featuring remote online learning, AI, and chatbots through active engagement with technology.
‘The ship has sailed on whether we should embed AI in Higher Education systems generally; we cannot responsibly send students out into the world who cannot drive this technology,’ he said.
‘What we’ve discussed has primed us for the power and potential that AI and ChatGPT have, but what is also critically important are the limitations; this is not the magic bullet or fix-all; it’s an enormously powerful resource with major limitations to be aware of,’ he added.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Image: Supplied
author : .author email : .Doctoral Student’s Abstract Selected for CHE Conference
Mr Simangaliso Zulu at the CHE conference.PhD candidate, Mr Simangaliso Zulu from the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance presented his research abstract at the Higher Education Conference hosted by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) in Pretoria on 3 March. The theme of the conference was Promoting Access to and Success in Postgraduate Studies.
This annual conference brings together leading academics, researchers, policymakers, students, and government officials, among others to share their experiences and research findings and discuss topical Higher Education issues.
Zulu’s presentation received positive feedback from the track chair and conference participants. His research titled, Key Factors Influencing Graduation on Time Among Postgraduate Students: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, investigated the factors that enable master’s and PhD students at a South African university to graduate on time.
‘My extended abstract was in alignment with the conference theme and received significant interest which served the purpose very well. My investment in academic writing is now paying dividends. This is one of my proudest moments,’ he said.
The CHE is a statutory body established with a mandate to advise on matters pertaining to Higher Education. Zulu was amongst the youngest researchers to have their research abstract selected for presentation. ‘When I received an email advising me that I was selected for a stand-up presentation, I was overwhelmed with joy. The entire experience meant the world to me,’ he said.
Zulu is currently working on various research projects collaborating with researchers at local and international universities to investigate the role of local government in city branding and its contribution to local economic development. He is also examining the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on SMMEs in the tourism sector in eThekwini Municipality.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .UKZN Sailing Team Starts 2023 Season Strong
The UKZN Yacht Club team members out on the water on their L26 yacht, and (from left) postgraduate students Mr Kwanele Masondo and Ms Ayanda Nkala with Mr Keyuren Maharaj and fourth-year Nursing student Ms Thandeka Cele at the Youth Sailor of the Year event.UKZN’s Yacht Club kicked off the 2023 season by achieving excellent results in their first regatta of the year, placing fifth, second, and second, respectively in the three races that made up the KwaZulu-Natal Sail Africa Varsity Cup.
Captained by Mr Keyuren Maharaj, a third-year student in mechanical engineering who is the recipient of a Sailing Sports Scholarship at UKZN, the team included postgraduate student in mechanical engineering Mr Jordan Silver, third- and fourth-year land surveying engineering students Ms Zethembiso Mbuyazi and Mr Sandiso Mbanjwa, and first-year student Ms Ngozi Egbuna.
This continues the club’s 2022 successes when they placed fourth in the L26 provincials and won their category at the 2022 Point Yacht Club (PYC) Sigma Series. In 2021, Maharaj won an award for Junior Sailor of the Year.
After a lull brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic when students were learning remotely, Maharaj is eager to see renewed activity and more sign-ups for sailing at UKZN, saying the sport offers a unique opportunity to learn leadership, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills in a dynamic environment that requires strong teamwork and quick thinking.
UKZN is one of only a handful of Higher Education Institutions in South Africa that boasts a strong sailing team, having had an active sailing club since the 1970s. Its position in coastal Durban and longstanding relationships with supporters like the PYC, Sail Africa, and other universities’ clubs also offer students exposure to the sport.
The club comprises between 15 and 20 members, with an optimum membership of around 30, and is run by a committee that includes Maharaj, Silver and Ms Lungelo Myeza as well as PYC Vice Commodore Mr Edrich de Lange. The group leases an L26 yacht from the PYC, which accommodates seven team members at a time. They are not limited to this vessel or to Durban’s harbour and coastline - sailing events and races are hosted all over the country both off-shore and on inland waters, and the team has access to other crafts such as Hobie Cats and Laser dinghies for inland races.
Resources remain a constraint - they would like to have a second L26 available to accommodate two teams at a time, and Maharaj took the initiative to print UKZN stickers for the craft they use, saying that UKZN branding in the form of racing kits and more would be a boon and improve the team’s visibility as ambassadors for the University.
The team works toward weekly sailing meets at the Durban harbour, and with three members holding skippers’ licenses they can take students out for practice sessions to cover the basics of sailing. Sail Africa also provides introductory courses for students new to the sport. Races require considerable planning and the selection of seven team members to represent the club. The sailing season, which runs from March to September, comprises several events including an inter-varsity regatta that UKZN will host. The club also participates in the Wednesday Night Racing Series held weekly in the summer months.
A major highlight is the MSC Week Regatta in July which comprises provincial and national events, which can win the team their provincial colours or national honours if they place well. Series events take place every second or third month throughout the season and there is an inter-varsity championship. The club aims to take part in as many events as possible, although the cost of entry fees, transport, food, and accommodation can be prohibitive.
UKZN’s team has benefited from some backing from the University and its sports department, as well as from de Lange, but needs more sustained support to help the club meet its full potential, reach different kinds of people, and access the myriad of opportunities that include international exchange and competition.
Team members’ long-term vision includes the establishment of a water sports club at UKZN that would encompass activities like yachting, canoeing, and scuba diving and ensure the proper maintenance and use of equipment and facilities.
Membership is open to students from across the University and all that is required is basic water safety skills. The club runs Facebook and Instagram profiles to publicise its activities.
Words: Christine Cuénod
Photographs: Supplied
author : .author email : .Education Student Presents Research at Doctoral Colloquium in Mauritius
Mr Luthando Molefe.PhD in Education student Mr Luthando Molefe presented his ongoing research on Mentoring for Sustainable Learning of Novice Teachers in Selected School Contexts at the 2nd Doctoral Colloquium held at the University of Mauritius.
The colloquium was organised in collaboration with the Poles of Research Excellence and Research Centres of the University of Mauritius and the School of Management, Information Technology and Governance at UKZN.
It brought together doctoral students from across the world to present their research to a distinguished panel of academics who offered constructive feedback and advice.
Speaking about his research, Molefe said, ‘The alarming rates of novice teacher attrition continue to be a global stumbling block that negatively affects the “normal” and effective functioning of a country’s schools as primary sites for learning and teaching and their education systems. South Africa is no exception. Novice teachers tend to leave the teaching profession early because they perceive it as too demanding due to the lack of mentoring. Consequently, these teachers are left to “sink or swim”. There is a great need for sustainable mentoring initiatives and mechanisms to deal with this conundrum.’
As a participant-researcher in his study, Molefe used memory drawings and letter writing as data generation methods to redefine himself through mentoring as a (former) teacher in a disadvantaged South African school.
He observed that, ‘this memory work and reflective exercise opened my mind to think deeply and make visible my lived experiences of mentoring as a (former) novice teacher and to contemplate how these experiences relate to those of other novice teachers.’
Molefe argued that ‘countries need to adopt a sustainability stance. My research seeks to critically contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 - Quality Education. Mentors actively provide a helping hand in the mentees’ personal and professional development. However, any intervention should offer the participants room for self-empowerment.’
Molefe is grateful to his mentors and former lecturers in Teacher Development Studies, Professors Kathleen Pithouse-Morgan (University of Nottingham) and Daisy Pillay (UKZN) who continue to mentor him in many ways and who introduced him to the critical research practices of memory work and arts-informed research. ‘These practices have power in evoking our personal-professional selves into deep conversations about the past and present and aiming for a more hopeful future for societal change.’
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Supplied
author : .author email : .Second Umgeni Water Research Symposium Highlights Innovative Water Resources Research
Participants in the Umgeni Water Research Symposium.UKZN’s Umgeni Water (UW) Chair of Water Resources Research and Innovation hosted its annual research symposium as a hybrid event, attracting more than 50 delegates from academia and industry.
The symposium, the second since Professor Jeff Smithers assumed the Chair in 2021, was designed around the wide range of diverse research themes within the Chair’s ambit, including flood studies and water supply, water reuse and sediment erosion, water and sludge treatment, and aquatic ecosystems.
Smithers welcomed participants, including the Chairperson of the Board of UW Ms Gabsie Mathenjwa and its acting CEO Dr Sipho Manana.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between UKZN and Umgeni Water was signed in July 2010 and renewed for a second decade in 2021. It aims to launch mutually beneficial projects in teaching, research, and technical services, and to continue to support an endowed research chair at UKZN.
UW funds the Chair, two postdoctoral research fellows, several postgraduate students, and research projects supervised by academics at UKZN and industry leaders at UW, while UKZN’s Research Office supports a complementary postdoctoral researcher. The research group promotes multi-disciplinary, collaborative, innovative research designed for the end-user or water resource manager.
A total of 16 presentations were made at the symposium by students and researchers in the Schools of Chemistry and Physics, Engineering, and Life Sciences. The research presented included work on flood estimation and risk assessment; optimisation of water distribution systems; biofilm control; flood damage assessment; new technologies for wastewater treatment; interventions to limit soil erosion; rural sanitation strategies; identification of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs in wastewater treatment plants; removal of pharmaceutical compounds using activated carbon; the efficacy of fishway and in-stream barrier controls; and the importance of river connectivity to sustain aquatic life.
Smithers, who is also the Director of the Centre of Water Resources Research at UKZN said the partnership between UW and UKZN is key for national capacity development, from undergraduate-level teaching to postgraduate supervision, and to support research on water resources and related fields. The Chair promotes closer collaboration between UW and UKZN and encourages research at UKZN to focus on issues relevant to UW’s research and development master plan.
The students who presented at the symposium are among the more than 40 postgraduate students supported by UW in 2021 and 2022. Bursaries administered through the Chair since 2021 have amounted to over R4 million, in addition to specific research contracts.
‘We deeply appreciate the funding and support that we have received from UW,’ said Smithers.
The symposium provided feedback on research progress to industry leaders at UW with the opportunity for discussion and promoted communication and collaboration between the two institutions.
‘We want to create awareness at UKZN of the research that has been funded by UW. We often tend to work in silos, and we want to try to break down those silos and expand multidisciplinary collaboration,’ said Smithers.
UW’s Mr Mcebo Mkhize said UW is a learning organisation whose long-term vision is to take up a global leadership position in the water sector. UW believes that investing in research, development and innovation is vital and is enhanced through a wide-ranging partnership with academia. Its priorities include human capital development for a strengthened knowledge economy, facilitation and promotion of cross-disciplinary research, international and local collaboration, translation of scholarly work into high-impact innovation for economic growth and sustainability, and applied research to support evidence-based policy development.
‘We are pleased to have UKZN as a key partner in driving some of our research efforts,’ said Mkhize.
Mathenjwa expressed the UW’s Board’s pleasure at the renewal of the Chair as it improves the entity’s relevance. She highlighted that the partnership is not only about UKZN and UW, but related to the people of KwaZulu-Natal and the province’s unique challenges. She added that the province aims to be exemplary in demonstrating how a water board and university can work together to enhance work in the water sector, province, and country.
‘This partnership is not only about water, but about innovation, research, and people - we are developing future leaders for the country,’ she said.
Mathenjwa said the second decade will be better than the first, with more research, innovation, technology, and skills development.
UW Manager of Research and Development Dr Wilson John said it was encouraging to witness the presenters’ enthusiasm, and how UW’s joint efforts and strategic plans with UKZN are proceeding. He congratulated the presenters for their excellent presentations and invaluable contributions to new knowledge. He commended Smithers for the highly focused, relevant research programme, credited senior researchers and supervisors for providing leadership and mentorship, and thanked the symposium organising committee.
Smithers said it was pleasing to see the research progress being made, and emphasised the need to ensure research has an impact on practice and operations. He thanked the student presenters, UW staff, and other participants for their engagement, as well as the organisers and UKZN’s audio-visual team.
Words and photograph: Christine Cuénod
author : .author email : .Seminar Explores Role of Pollinators in Sustainable Development
In-person participants at the SASUF Bees and the SDGs seminar.UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science co-hosted a hybrid seminar with the South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) on the Pietermaritzburg campus and online via Zoom on the topic of how pollinators promote the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Titled Bees and the SDGs, the seminar brought together researchers and students to explore and collectively develop ideas on pollination, plant ecology, and evolution, and their links to the SDGs. It presented critical perspectives on this underexplored topic and explored possibilities for future collaboration between South African and Swedish universities.
The SASUF is a strategic internationalisation project launched in 2018 to strengthen ties between Sweden and South Africa in research, education, and innovation. The second phase of the project plan, SASUF 2030, runs from 2022 to 2024. The collaboration comprises 40 partner universities and is funded by these and the Swedish Foundation for International Cooperation in Research and Higher Education, with seed funding facilitating student involvement, virtual exchange grants, and other grants and scholarships. The project is supported by the SASUF Student Network and the embassies in both countries.
The seminar was a satellite event hosted as part of the launch of the SASUF 2030, with more than 100 participants from more than five countries.
The programme comprised six presentations, two delivered by visiting faculty from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Alnarp, Sweden: Associate Professor Paul Egan and Dr Carolina Diller, a former postdoctoral research fellow at UKZN and co-organiser of the event.
Egan described the links between pollination and at least five of the SDGs, saying that all these goals are integrated and require a systems perspective. Pollinators have a role to play in livelihood development, sustainable agriculture, human health, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and biodiversity conservation.
Mrs Vidushi Patel from the University of Western Australia joined online to speak about why bees are critical for sustainable development. She said that every species has a specific role in the biosphere that forms the foundation for the SDGs.
Patel noted that flowering plants and bees have co-evolved and that the creatures visit 90% of the world’s top 107 edible crops, as well as making other ecological, economic, and cultural contributions to at least 15 of the SDGs and 30 of their targets. She highlighted their contributions to innovation and inspiration, the quantity and quality of food, nutrition and medicine, inclusive communities, biofuels, forest conservation and regrowth, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and economic opportunities.
Patel said the SDGs are key to communicating the impact of sustainability initiatives and could highlight the potential contributions of species groups, landscapes, seascapes, waterways, or environmental features, demonstrating the importance of systems thinking and influencing policy decisions.
Dr Margarita López-Uribe of Penn State University in the United States presented virtually on insect adaptations to agricultural environments in the case of squash bees, which have adapted to large-scale agricultural crops.
‘We are studying agriculture as a force for environmental change, so we are interested in understanding how the specific context of these agricultural systems not only shapes ecological interactions between pollinators and plants, but also the evolutionary trajectories of pollinators,’ said López-Uribe, noting that agriculture has been associated with a decline in bee populations and biodiversity loss.
UKZN’s Professor Timo van der Niet, who co-organised the event, presented evolutionary-inspired solutions to the crop pollination crisis, based on his research on fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes to understand the role of pollinators in driving plant evolution.
‘The similarity between what goes on in natural systems and agricultural systems inspired me to think about ways in which my research can inform research on applied issues [and vice versa],’ he said.
Van der Niet said there are clear links between pollinators and the SDGs, particularly for food provision and human health. He described the current use of several ecological and technological interventions to address yield limits linked to pollination, but also suggested how insight from natural systems could be used to explore alternative solutions. Pollination crises are a widespread issue in natural systems, and knowledge of evolutionary responses to these could be applied to crops using smart breeding.
Diller spoke about strawberry reproduction under climate change. She examined the biotic and physiological effects of temperature and water stress, particularly species turnover or decline and a change in plant-insect interactions, as well as reduced flower numbers and size, and increased pollen sterility.
Diller said pollinators improve the commercial quality of berries and reduce yield loss and touched on the environmental impacts of unsustainable strawberry production and the effect of climate change on plant-insect interactions.
In a pre-recorded contribution, Professor Jeff Ollerton of the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom touched on research from his book Pollinators & Pollination: Nature and Society to describe how plant-pollinator interactions underpin terrestrial biodiversity, in turn supporting the 17 SDGs. He noted that pollinators support sustainable agriculture and said they are critical for habitat restoration, pointing out their contributions to soil carbon storage through the products of pollination.
Egan said it is vital to link pollinators to the architecture of the SDGs, account for SDG interactions, examine SDG conflicts from a multisectoral perspective, and identify and fill knowledge gaps via “translational” research, especially in terms of human health linkages, and climate shocks and disaster risk reduction.
The hybrid seminar brought together scientists from four continents and demonstrated that UKZN is firmly embedded in an international context.
Words and photograph: Christine Cuénod
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