04 December 2020
Volume: 8
Issue: 57
This word cloud represents responses received to one of the questions posed in the survey: ‘In a few words, please describe your 2020?’

How Was Your 2020? UKZN Staff Have Their Say

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UKZN recently held a survey to gauge staff members’ readiness for and understanding of Project Renewal - an initiative that will allow the University to embark on a journey of renewal, exploring the best way to deliver its mandate in future.

UKZN marks World AIDS Day 2020.

UKZN Commemorates World AIDS Day 2020

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In 2019 there were 38 million people worldwide living with HIV with about 700 000 deaths caused by the disease and 1.7 million new infections, translating into about 4 600 new cases every day.

Keynote speaker and United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Gender Inequality Under the Spotlight at Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture

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The 1995 World Conference on Women: Where to for South Africa and the Rest of the African Continent, was the theme for the virtual Chief Albert Luthuli Memorial Lecture.

Mr Sizwe Matenjwa developed a mathematics app.

Student Develops Maths App During Lockdown

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Information Systems and Technology (IS&T) “boffin” Mr Sizwe Matenjwa turned a negative into a positive using time during the COVID-19 crisis to create a Mathematics App.

Scenes from the Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial Lecture.

Struggle for Justice Explored in Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial Lecture

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Celebrating 60 years since Chief Albert Luthuli received the Nobel Peace Prize; UKZN hosted the Dr Phyllis Naidoo Memorial Lecture which explored the on-going struggle for justice.

Artists and musicians who performed at the African Cultural Calabash.

UKZN Celebrates 15th Annual African Cultural Calabash

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African Music and Dance (AMD) third-year students under the directorship of senior lecturer Dr Patricia Opondo hosted a successful 15th Annual African Cultural Calabash Festival under the umbrella of the African Music Project.

Dr Shona Bhadree with the linear accelerator machine used to provide radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer.

UKZN’s Department of Oncology Now Accredited to Train Registrars

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UKZN’s Department of Oncology has received accreditation for the training of Durban-based registrars from next year.

Professor Bonginkosi “Bonga” Chiliza.

High-Ranking Academic Appointed Adjunct Associate Professor at USA University

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UKZN’s Professor Bonginkosi “Bonga” Chiliza has been appointed adjunct associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine at Boston University (BU) in the United States.

Ms Tasneem Fareed Karani.

Doctoral Student Wins Free Registration for Dysphagia Conference

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UKZN Speech-Language Therapy doctoral student Ms Tasneem Karani has won free registration for the 2021 Dysphagia Research Society (DRS) virtual conference as well as a one-year student membership to the society.
Musician and PhD student, Ms Olpha Selepe.

65-Year-Old UKZN Student Produces Hit Song!

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Click here for isiZulu version

Singer and doctoral student Ms Olpha Selepe, aka Gee Six Five, is trending on social media since the release of her popular song Obani lababantu? (Who are those people?).

Ms Amira Abbas who received a PhD Fellowship from Google.

Google PhD Fellowship for Quantum Researcher - a First for Africa

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A PhD candidate in the Centre for Quantum Technology at UKZN, Ms Amira Abbas, is the first student from a university in Africa to receive a PhD Fellowship from Google in the category of quantum computing.

Participants in the UKZN webinar (from left) Professor Nana Poku, Professor Bernhard Gaede, Dr Ingrid Bamberg, Professor Betty Mubangizi, Professor Mershen Pillay and Professor Relebohile Moletsane.

Community Engagement at UKZN Examined during Webinar

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Community Engagement at UKZN: Current Practices, Future Directions was the title of a webinar hosted by the University’s Corporate Relations Division.

Performing a laparoscopic procedure are (from left) scrub nurse, Mr Jabulani Mthembu; Dr Maheshwar Naidoo; and Dr Kenny Mngoma.

Online Teaching Platforms Ideal for Medical Training

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General surgeons need to be aware that the learning arena has changed dramatically due to COVID-19, says UKZN lecturer and Head of Surgery at Ngwelezana Hospital in Empangeni, Dr Maheshwar Naidoo.

Choreographers who are part of the mentorship project.

Screen Dance Works Premiered Online

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Four screen dance works premiered online on 3 December in a project involving the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience and the Centre for Creative Arts.

Dr Sarojini Jeeva Panchu.

Indian-Born Scientist Awarded Physics Doctorate

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Research which explored using laser-derived molybdenite, a mineral similar to graphite, for application in several nanoelectric, biomedical and energy storage uses, earned Dr Sarojini Jeeva Panchu a PhD in Physics from UKZN.

Ms Fatima Timol (left) and Ms Angie Govindsami.

Disability Support Unit Hosts Capacity-Building Workshop

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UKZN’s Disability Support Unit (DSU) hosted a capacity-building workshop on the Zoom platform for staff on Thursday, 26 November 2020.

A Ford Wildlife Foundation vehicle in the field on the hippo project.

Ford Wildlife Foundation Vehicles Boost Life Sciences Research

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Research on hippos fish, herps, birds and other mammals by students and researchers in UKZN’s School of Life Sciences is benefitting from a donation by the Ford Wildlife Foundation (FWF) of two Ford Ranger (double cab) 4x4 vehicles.

Mr Thabo Magubane and Ms Lydia Mabaudi.

Law Students Advocate for Persons Living with Disabilities

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Third-year Law students Mr Thabo Magubane and Ms Lydia Mabaudi are advancing research in the area of law and technology and promoting advocacy for people living with disabilities.

Scenes from the Re-Defining Varsity Entrepreneurship event.

UKZN Celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week

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In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, UKZN InQubate hosted a three-day virtual event themed: Re-Defining Varsity Entrepreneurship.

UKZN alumnus Dineshrie Pillay’s new book titled: Ignition: 3 Steps to Drive from Newbie Presenter to Expert Speaker.

New Book on How to Become an Expert Public Speaker

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Ignition: 3 Steps to Drive from Newbie Presenter to Expert Speaker is a new book by business coach leadership consultant and UKZN alumnus Dineshrie Pillay which takes readers on a journey aimed at “unleashing the public speaker in them”.