28 May 2020
Volume: 8
Issue: 17
Mr Kapil Nairain (left) with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO.

Medical Student to Lead African Youth Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Final-year Medical student at UKZN’s Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Mr Kapil Narain has been appointed as the Chair of the Federation of African Medical Students Association (FAMSA) COVID-19 Technical Working Group (TWG), a continent-wide youth response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The COVID-19 Crisis: From Winter of Despair to Spring of Hope?

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We currently live, in the words of the memorable opening lines of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, in “the worst of times”, a “season of darkness”.

Professor Vannie Naidoo from the College of Law and Management Studies.

Virtual Lecture Focuses on Learning During the Age of COVID-19

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UKZN’s Professor Vannie Naidoo presented a virtual guest lecture via zoom on 15 May to staff and students at Semarang State University in Indonesia on the theme of learning during the age of the COVID-19 (corona-virus).

Cybersecurity issues have increased exponentially during COVID-19 lockdown conditions.

Africa, You’ve Been Phished

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Whilst “zoom” might be the new buzzword during lockdown, so too is “zoombombing”. Cybersecurity, scams and disinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic was the topic of the latest data@breakfast online webinar, co-presented by UKZN senior lecturer in computer science Dr Brett van Niekerk and KnowBe4 Managing Director Ms Anna Collard.

Mr Simangaliso Bayabonga Zulu, Academic Development Officer in the College of Law and Management Studies.

Tips and Tools for Online Teaching and Learning

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The global spread of COVID-19 has put governments and universities under severe pressure. Academic programmes have been disrupted, with students forced to remain at home.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the uMgungundlovu District.

Food Disruptions Highlight Importance of Transdisciplinary Research and Action

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The COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts have gone far beyond individuals’ health, transforming social, economic and ecological landscapes, as well as the food systems many rely on and leading to dire predictions of increased poverty, unemployment and food insecurity that could reverse much of the progress made in recent times.
From left: Mr Shimon Corcos, Mr Luthando Molefe, Ms Namutula Mukelabai, Mr Simangaliso Bayabonga Zulu and Ms Silindile Shazi.

UKZN’s Most Inspiring Students

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UKZN has recognised its students who Inspire Greatness. The awards celebrate excellence in community service, student influence, music and arts, academic prowess and leadership and aim to shine a spotlight on students who are flying the University flag high.

Master’s in Education student, Ms Fiona Khan.

Master’s Student Selected for Prestigious Writing Residency

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Master’s in Education student and accomplished author, Ms Fiona Khan, has been selected from 40 international authors for a prestigious one-month Writing Residency at Grondel’s House in Iceland.

Small-scale farmers at work in their homestead and communal gardens.

A Looming Crisis: The Impact of COVID-19 on Small-Scale Farmers

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UKZN experts and facilitators working on the uMngeni Resilience Project (URP) have weighed in on the looming “crisis within a crisis” for informal and local food systems as the COVID-19 pandemic affects various sectors of society.

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Academics Call for Amendments to the Patent Law in Response to COVID-19

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We commend our government’s efforts in responding swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic by the measures already taken to slow down the rate of infections, and to prepare our health facilities for the inevitable demand for beds and health services. But importantly, steps must also be taken urgently to ensure access to COVID-19 health products, both existing and prospective.

Professor Kriben Pillay, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Business and Leadership.

The Elephant in the COVID-19 Room: A Heretical Inquiry into the Heart of Death

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I do not expect this to be published widely because this inquiry dares to point out the elephant in the room of the COVID-19 pandemic; our terrifying fear of death.

Professor Damtew Teferra, Professor of Higher Education at UKZN and founding Director of the International Network for Higher Education in Africa.

COVID-19 – A Vindictive Messenger for Multilateralism

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shattered the deep-seated notion of the invincibility, supremacy and affluence of the Goliaths of the world.