05 December 2022
Volume: 10
Issue: 54
Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim.

UKZN AIDS Researcher Elected as The World Academy of Sciences President

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University of KwaZulu-Natal Pro Vice-Chancellor for African Health, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim has been elected President of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).

Professor Alfred Odindo at the National Faecal Sludge Management Strategy stakeholders’ consultation workshop.

UKZN Provides Vital Expertise to National Faecal Sludge Management Strategy

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Professor Alfred Odindo was invited to open the Department of Water and Sanitation’s (DWS) National Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) Strategy stakeholders’ consultation workshop thanks to UKZN’s proven expertise in the piloting of advanced scientific research related to FSM.

Music student, Mr Lindokuhle Mbothwe.

Music Student Performs Piano Solo at Final Exam Recital

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Music student, Mr Lindokuhle Mbothwe performed his final recital at the Howard College Theatre on Friday, 2 December 2022 under Dr Andrew Warburton, a lecturer in the School of Arts (Music).

From left: Reverend Armstrong Pitakaji, Dr Kenneth Mtata, and Professor Isobel Phiri.

UKZN Theology Alumnus Part of World Council of Churches

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UKZN alumnus in Theology, Reverend Armstrong Pitakaji was elected to the Executive Council of the World Council of Churches (WCC) at its recent Congress.

Scenes from the week-long CompLit4U training at the Westville campus.

CompLit4U Project Successfully Trains Another Group of CMS Staff

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The CompLit4U project recently ran its second basic computer literacy training for 2022 with a group of 15 Campus Management Services (CMS) staff on the Westville campus.

Highlights from the EcoHealth Conference.

Africa Hosts 8th Biennial EcoHealth Conference

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EcoHealth International, in partnership with UKZN, the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Convention Bureau, and South African and Durban Tourism hosted the 8th Biennial EcoHealth Conference recently.

Highlights from the Women in Science Breakfast hosted by UKZN’s School of Chemistry and Physics.

School of Chemistry and Physics Celebrates Women in Science

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The School of Chemistry and Physics recently held an interactive networking breakfast under the theme: Bridging the Gap between Women in Industry and Academia.

A humanitarian at heart, Professor Colleen Aldous is promoted to Full Professor.

What is the World Asking of Me?

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“What is the World Asking of Me?” was the question posed by Professor Colleen Aldous who was recently inaugurated as a full professor, the highest accolade in an academic’s career.

Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi.

Our Food. Our Heritage. Our Health

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As the latest presenter in the popular “What Do Scientists Do” series hosted online by UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, food security specialist, Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi discussed how increasing the production of indigenous crops could aid in the alleviation of hunger. 

Top from left: Dr Hema Hargovan, Dr Dave Gustafson and Ms Lesley Ann van Selm. Bottom from left: Ms Lisa Harries, Ms Venessa Padayachee and Mr Mike Batley.

Equitable Access to Restorative Approaches to Justice in South Africa

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The School of Built Environment and Development Studies within the College of Humanities in collaboration with the South African Coalition for Restorative Justice recently hosted a webinar under the theme of “Equitable Access to Restorative Approaches to Justice in South Africa.”

Attendees at the HPP 20-year celebration.

HPP Celebrates 20 Years of International Collaborations, Science and Making a Difference in the Community

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The HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) was established in 2002. For the past 20 years, it has aimed to build on existing collaborations between the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Harvard Medical School and Oxford University...

Professor Daisy Pillay.

Inaugural Lecture Explores Art, Artmaking and Educational Research as Transgressive Assemblages of Becoming

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Professor Daisy Pillay, an academic and senior lecturer in the School of Education, recently delivered her virtual inaugural lecture on Intellectual Journeying to Embodiment and Enfleshment Art, Artmaking and Educational Research as Transgressive Assemblages of Becoming.

Grade 9 learners interact with demonstrators from UKZN’s School of Life Sciences.

UKZN Participates in eThekwini Grade 9 Subject Choice Expo

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UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) recently took part in a three-day Grade 9 Expo hosted by the eThekwini Municipality in partnership with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education. 

ISFAP honours its first cohort of Medical graduates.

ISFAP Celebrates its First Cohort of Medical Graduates

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The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) recently celebrated the achievements of its first cohort of Medical graduates at a year-end function.
Ntombifuthi “Mchichwa” Khumalo, Bantwana U17 Assistant Coach.

Former UKZN Coach Joins the Big League

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Ntombifuthi “Mchichwa” Khumalo, a former coach for UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg girls’ soccer team, has taken up the position of Assistant Coach for the South African women’s U17 - Bantwana, taking her career to new heights.

Attendees at the recent stakeholder engagement session to discuss violent student protests at UKZN.

Stakeholders Engage in Discussions Over Violent Protests at UKZN

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal recently hosted a stakeholder engagement session to deliberate on violent student protests at the University with the aim of finding lasting solutions to the challenge.

UKZN’s LABRATS at the SAB Brewing and Tasting (Inter-Varsity) Competition in Bloemfontein.

LABRATS Shine in Inter-Varsity Brewing Competition

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Hops, barley, and water is all one would think take to produce the ideal beer, right? Well, not entirely…

Staff and students at the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research celebrate the Institute’s 75th anniversary.

Campus-Based Forestry Research Institute Celebrates 75 Years

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This year (2022) marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR), situated on UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg campus where it was first established in 1947 as the Wattle Research Institute in the heart of South Africa’s most cultivated forest region of KwaZulu-Natal.

GirlCAD Demonstrator Team from left: Ms Ingrid Botha, Ms Nikita Perumal, Ms Tejal Mewalall and Ms Xolile Malembe.

UKZN and SAIMechE Empower Women!

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A special prize-giving ceremony was held on the Howard College campus recently where female high school learners from a number of schools were recognised and graduated from the three-part GirlCAD programme.

Mr Mthobisi Tshomela addresses learners in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

World Space Week Sends UKZN Rocket Scientists to Schools

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UKZN’s Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG) catapulted its researchers into schools and science centres to promote studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), specifically in the aerospace industry, and to support the world’s largest annual space event, World Space Week.

Challenge attendees, from left: Mrs Suvina Singh, Ms Tasmiyah Haffejee, Ms Ntando Mtshali, Mrs Simphiwe Gumede (entrepreneurship officer), Mr Dylan Naidoo, Ms Luyanda Makhobo, Dr Thea van der Westhuizen (EDHE CoP for Entrepreneurship in Teaching and Learning Chair & UKZN academic leader), Mr Khutso Ramontja, Mr Ntuthuko Ndebele, and Ms Nokulunga Ngcobo (entrepreneurship co-ordinators).

UKZN Student Entrepreneurs’ “Clean Sweep” at Regional Entrepreneurship Competition

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Four UKZN student entrepreneurs made a “clean sweep” at the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Round of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Challenge hosted by the Mangosuthu University of Technology, recently and represented KwaZulu-Natal in the finals in Johannesburg.

Mr Sanele Zuma.

“Meet Our Graduates” Alumni Series Explores the Dangers of Entitlement

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UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) relaunched its highly successful online alumni series with a discussion by Student Development Officer, Mr Sanele Zuma on the dangers of entitlement.

Ms Manoko Ratala.

Fostering Mental Health During Turbulent Times Through Afrocentric Approach

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The College of Humanities and the School of Applied Human Sciences recently hosted a wellness webinar on the topic of “Fostering Mental Health During Turbulent Times: An Afrocentric Approach”, presented by Ms Manoko Ratala, Industrial and Organisational Psychologist at Sekgwari Consulting.

Bodybuilding bronze medalist, Mr Lindile Shem.

Student Brings Home Bronze at the World Bodybuilding Championships

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Final-year LLB student, Mr Lindile Shem, has made UKZN proud by winning bronze at the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Mr and Mrs World Championship.

From left: Ms Roasia Hazarilall, Professor Donrich Thaldar, and Dr Bonginkosi Shozi.

Research Grant to Explore LGBTQ Persons’ Access to Reproductive Healthcare

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UKZN School of Law academics have once again proven to be trailblazers in the field of Reproductive Law as Professor Donrich Thaldar and his team, including Dr Bonginkosi Shozi and Ms Roasia Hazarilall, were recently awarded a grant by Ferring Pharmaceuticals.

Mr Celamusa Mthimkhulu is set to represent Africa at the Asia Natural Championships.

Alumnus Set to Represent Africa in International Bodybuilding

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Mr Celumusa Mthimkhulu, a UKZN alumnus who graduated with a Master’s in Agricultural Management in 2020, is set to represent the continent internationally at the Asia Natural Championships, scheduled to be held in Singapore on 10 December 2022.

Students and staff who attended the KREATE Artificial Intelligence workshop.

KREATE Hosts Artificial Intelligence Workshop

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The KwaZulu-Natal Centre for Radio Astronomy Economic Advancement, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (KREATE) recently hosted an Artificial Intelligence workshop series called “Artificial Intelligence for Everyone” in conjunction with UKZN’s Computer Science Discipline and the Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC).

From left: Dr Keshena Naidoo (UKZN Family Medicine), Ms Bongiwe Gumede, Ms Boniswa Mkhize, Ms Nosihle Nxumalo, Ms Geoginah Moropjane, Mr Ntlakanipho Manxeba, Ms Zahrah Ebrahim (UKZN Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences), Sr. Kirshia Kats and Sr. Joan Saunders.

UKZN Supports World Diabetes Day 2022 at Wentworth Hospital

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UKZN’s Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences (BELS) students, in partnership with Wentworth Hospital staff, commemorated World Diabetes Day by demonstrating and advising patients on the importance of exercise therapy.

Innovative Approaches to Student Development and Support in Higher Education.

9th Academic Monitoring and Support Colloquium

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The College of Health Sciences in partnership with UKZN Teaching and Learning Office hosted the 9th Annual Academic Monitoring and Support Colloquium (AMS) at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.