12 September 2013
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Dr Mahmoud Soliman.

R1.5 million high performance computing facility for UKZN

BY: MaryAnn Francis

The College of Health Science’s Molecular Modelling and Drug Design lab - headed by Dr Mahmoud Soliman – has been awarded a High Performance Computing (HPC) Facility worth more than R1.5 million. Awarded by the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), the Facility is set to enhance research at UKZN in computational chemistry.

Umfundi wase-UKZN uNksz Nontobeko Mvubu, othole umklomelo womfundaze weTATA emcimbini wama2013 DST Women in Science Awards nomfundisi wakhe uSolwazi Bala Pillay.

Umfundi wase-UKZN Kososayensi Abaphambili Besifazane

BY: Barrington Marais

Uzitholele umfundaze wakwa TATA umfundi weMicrobiology uNksz Nontobeko Mvubu emcimbini obuse Goli wokuklomelisa ososayensi besifazane ba-2013 owenziwa umnyango wezeSayensi nobuChwepheshe iDST.

From left: Professor Salim Washington, Professor Cheryl Potgieter and Dean and Head of the School of Arts Professor Nogwaja Zulu.

Renowned jazz musician gives Inaugural Lecture at UKZN

BY: Melissa Mungroo

Professor Salim Washington, a Harlem-based musician/scholar and an accomplished composer/arranger, recently gave his inaugural lecture at UKZN’s Unite Building.

(From left) Professor Yonah Seleti, Mrs Phumelele Mqina (Dr MV Gumede’s granddaughter), Dr Lindiwe Simelane (Dr Gumede’s daughter) and Professor Rob Slotow.

African traditional medicines in focus during Memorial Lecture

BY: MaryAnn Francis

The Chief Director of the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office in the Department of Science and Technology, Professor Yonah Seleti, delivered the keynote address at the College of Health Science’s 2013 Dr MV Gumede Memorial Lecture.

Dr Joel Netshitenze (left) and Dr Sibusiso Chalufu in conversation on the Howard College campus.

Netshitenzhe - keynote speaker at UKZN forum

BY: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

Dr Joel Netshitenzhe, Director of the Mapungubwe Institute of Strategic and Cultural Reflection (MISTRA), delivered the keynote address at a forum on the Howard College campus which focused on the National Development Plan (NDP) and post-apartheid democratic prospects.

Participants at the 2013 SAEON Indibano held in Cape Town.

Young researchers represent UKZN at SAEON-GSN Indibano conference

BY: Barrington Marais

Three postgraduate researchers from the African Environmental Change Lab research group in the School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, were selected to represent the University at the 6th Annual SAEON-GSN Indibano Conference held in Cape Town.

Educators sharing their concerns at the SAICA Maths workshop.

Workshop strives for answers to improve high school maths results

BY: Thandiwe Jumo

Finding innovative educational methodologies to improve mathematic results at Kwazulu-Natal’s high schools was the goal of the South African Institute of Charted Accountants maths educators workshop held at UKZN recently.

info4africa/WCRP Youth Forum learners worked in groups to design a project for their school or larger community.

Youth forum gains momentum

BY: Melissa Mungroo

Info4africa data collection staff attended the info4africa/ World Conference on Religions and Peace (WCRP) (Durban Chapter) Youth Forum recently. Info4africa is a self-funded Centre of the School of Applied Human Sciences within the College of Humanities.

Members of the newly formed UKZN Women’s Forum take a pledge during the launch.

Forum launched to support women students

BY: Sithembile Shabangu

UKZN’s HIV/AIDS and Wellness Programme recently launched a Women’s Forum for female students to discuss issues and challenges they face.

The Mayor of the uMgungundlovu Municipal District, Councillor Yusuf Bhamjee, and UKZN Law academic, Professor Michael Kidd, plant a tree.

Trees planted in celebration of new Research Centre and Arbour Week

BY: Barrington Marais

Representatives from the School of Law planted several trees in celebration of Arbour Week at their newly acquired Postgraduate Research Centre. Environmental Law researcher and Lecturer in the School of Law, Professor Michael Kidd, said the new centre would provide the best possible research facilities for the growing number of postgraduate students in the School.
Mr Ben Hoffman and Mr Frik Lemmer release a Cape Vulture back into the wild.

UKZN student involved in vulture conservation

BY: Barrington Marais

An MSc student in UKZN’s School of Life Sciences, Ms Morgan Pfeiffer, has devoted the past 18 months to the study of the Cape Vulture. The vulture is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) but with the number of poisoning incidents and other environmental factors the raptor could soon be up-listed to endangered.

New Director of UKZN’s Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, Professor Deenan Pillay.

New Director for UKZN HIV Research Centre

BY: Online Team

Leading Clinical Virologist, Professor Deenan Pillay, has been appointed as the new Director of UKZN’s Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies. Pillay is a Professor of Virology and Co-Director of the Division of Infection and Immunity, at University College London.

Professor Marius Ungerer.

The role of business in NDP explained

BY: Thandiwe Jumo

The role business and civil society had to play to be in line with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) was outlined at a Public Lecture at UKZN’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership by Professor Marius Ungerer, an Associate Professor: Strategy, Change and Leadership at the University of Stellenbosch’s Business School.

Representatives from WESSA, UKZN, WWF, Mondi and Barlow World Pietermaritzburg at the recent Wildlife Seminar held at the WESSA Venue, Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.

Mazda supporting conservation in KwaZulu-Natal

BY: Barrington Marais

Eight progressive conservation projects the Mazda Wildlife Fund is currently supporting in KwaZulu-Natal were outlined at a recent wildlife seminar held at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) venue at the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve near Howick.

Professor Sabiha Essack.

Health Science Dean on international pharmaceutical advisory panel

BY: MaryAnn Francis

Dean of UKZN’s School of Health Sciences, Professor Sabiha Essack, has been invited to serve on the Advisory Group of the Academic Institutional Membership (AIM) Dean’s Forum of the International Pharmaceutical Federations’ Education (FIPEd) Initiative.

From left: interns, Mr Sduduzo Mncwabe, Ms Preleen Sookoo, Ms Garlie Matabane, and Ms Waheeda Goga, with Mr Karl Swain, Professor Basil Pillay, Mr Suntosh Pillay, (seated) Dr Devi Rajab and Dr Thirusha Naidu.

Inspiring creative reflexivity in clinical psychologists

BY: Vijay Ramballie

Durban personality, Dr Devi Rajab, recently spoke at a function for clinical psychologists at the Department of Behavioural Medicine in the School of Public Health and Nursing. Many of the interns and their supervisors at the talk had a week earlier attended the show Botoo, at the Playhouse Theatre.

Stakeholders at the workshop on the Westville campus.

Indigenous Knowledge Systems and non-violence culture

BY: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer

A champions and stakeholders meeting to pool resources and chart a way forward for an initiative to build a culture of non-violence in early childhood development using Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) was held on UKZN’s Westville campus.

Women from agricultural farming groups dressed in traditional attire attend the 2013 Msinga Nutrition Fair.

Msinga Nutrition Fair a boon for the rural community

BY: Barrington Marais

As Women’s Month drew to a close, the scenic area of Msinga Top played host to the third annual Msinga Nutrition Fair organised by UKZN’s Farmer Support Group (FSG). The Fair is described as ‘a way of encouraging groups in Msinga to learn and reflect on their accomplishments annually’.

Musician Prince Bulo of Africa Plus performs at the 25th Annual Jazz Jol.

Annual jazz jol at UKZN

BY: Melissa Mungroo

The Centre for Jazz and Popular Music in partnership with Standard Bank recently presented the 25th Annual Jazz Jol which was attended by music lovers of all ages. The event opened with UKZN Voices, a close-harmony jazz vocal a Capella group, doing a short set.

Residence students thrilled by stage performances to celebrate Women’s Day.

Westville residence students celebrate Women’s Day

BY: Sizwe Sithole

Student Housing on the Westville Campus recently celebrated Women’s Day with students from the residences at a fun event on the cricket field. Despite the cold weather the venue was packed, mainly with male students there to support their female colleagues!