20 October 2022
Volume: 10
Issue: 48
Gift of the Givers and Care Sisters Network donates Optometry kits to UKZN’s Optometry Discipline.

Optometry Kits Worth R750 000 Donated to Optometry Discipline

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The Gift of the Givers Foundation, in partnership with the Caring Sisters Network (CSN), have donated 25 Optometry kits valued at R30 000 each to the Optometry Discipline to loan out to students who cannot afford to buy their own.

Professor Genene Tessema Mola.

Thin Film Polymer Solar Cells as an Alternative Source of Renewable Energy Explored in Inaugural Lecture

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Opportunities and Challenges of Thin-Film Polymer Solar Cells (TFPSC) in Contributing Towards the Realisation of Cheap Renewable Energy was the topic of an inaugural lecture presented by UKZN Physicist, Professor Genene Tessema Mola.

Professor Johnson Lin.

Saving the Environment - Using the Little Things

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UKZN’s Professor Johnson Lin is fascinated with the little things. As a microbiologist, his main focus of research is on environmental microbiology and bioremediation, and he used the occasion of his inaugural lecture to share his insights into this area.

From left: Dr Danielle Roberts, Professor Delia North, Ms Nombuso Zondo (UKZN); Mr Andre Zitzke (SAS); Professor Albert Modi (UKZN); Professor Christine Franklin (University of Georgia, American Statistical Association Ambassador); Mr Lethani Ndwandwe, Professor James Allison (NWU); Dr Julia Keddie, Dr Humphrey Brydon, and Professor Renette Blignaut (UWC).

UKZN and SAS Extend Teachers4DataAnalytics Across SA - and Africa is in Their Sights

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‘UKZN is very well respected nationally and internationally with regard to providing cutting-edge training for the data age!’ These are the words of UKZN Statistician and former Dean and Head of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, Professor Delia North, who is passionate about upskilling young South Africans. Data analytics in particular is her thing.

Third-year and final-year students who participated in the Court Shadowing Programme.

An Insight of Court Proceeding for Law Students

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Students for Law and Social Justice (SLSJ) recently hosted its inaugural court shadowing programme.

From left: SAEF lecturers Mr Mohamed Suleman, Dr Jessica Goebel and Dr Michelle Hatch, and (right) Grade 8 students preparing for Kids MBA pitches.

SAEF Lecturers Lend Helping Hand to Kids MBA

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Lecturers within the UKZN School of Accounting, Economics and Finance (SAEF) recently completed community service work with KHULA Education on the Kids Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme.

Professor David Spurrett speaks about Hostile Scaffolding at the University of Wollongong.

Humanities Academic is a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University

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Professor David Spurrett, academic within the School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics (SRPC), recently spent a month as a Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra.

From left: Ms Samukelisiwe Ndlovu (SASL winner), Dr Ashley Subbiah (Disability Unit), and Mr Khumbulani Mngadi, Director (Acting): ULPDO.

ULPDO Spreads Deaf Awareness

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The month of September saw South Africans commemorate Heritage Month and Deaf Awareness Month. The University Language Planning and Development Office (ULPDO) used this opportunity to raise awareness for South African Sign Language under the theme: SASL Matters: Towards an Inclusive and Mindful Society.

UKZN academic, Professor Vivian Ojong.

Inaugural Lecture Explores Anthropological Knowledge and Virtual Communities

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Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences, Professor Vivian Ojong delivered her virtual inaugural lecture titled: “Territories in Flow and Flux”: Anthropological Knowledge and Virtual Communities".

UKZN staff and students walk for better mental health at Durban’s North Beach.

Walking for Better Mental Health

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Hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal Mental Health Advocacy Group in partnership with civil society organisations such as the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), the annual Mental Health Walk was held recently on Durban’s North Beach and attracted hundreds of participants including UKZN staff and students.

Poet, Mr Sandile Ngidi delivers the 8th annual Mafika Gwala Memorial Lecture.

Mafika Gwala Memorial Lecture Opens Poetry Africa Festival in Durban

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The Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) within the College of Humanities recently hosted the 2022 Mafika Gwala Memorial Lecture. The lecture was launched in 2015 as a collaboration between the College of Humanities, South African History Online (SAHO), and the National Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS).

Professor Betty C Mubangizi (left) and Dr Londeka Ngubane.

UKZN Academics Present Research Findings at 1st International Conference on Disasters

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A multidisciplinary team implementing a project on the Interplay Among Vulnerabilities, Livelihoods, and Institutional Dynamics in the Context of COVID-19 recently presented their work at the First Disaster and Risk Management Conference at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The conference took place from 1 to 4 October 2022.

Mr Alexander Samuels.

Supply Chain Academic Actively Producing Research

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School of Management, Information Technology and Governance academic, Mr Alexander Samuels is actively publishing research in the field of supply chain management.

The College of Law and Management Studies hosted an induction workshop for Class Representatives.

Teaching and Learning Induction Workshop for Class Representatives

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The Teaching and Learning Unit within the College of Law and Management Studies (CLMS) hosted an online induction workshop for 27 class representatives.