Tukkie 1 2016

Tukkie

Alumni magazine of the University of Pretoria | Alumnitydskrif van die Universiteit van Pretoria

Autumn/Herfs/Lehabula 2016 Volume 22 Number 1

60 Years

of Engineering Excellence

Contents Inhoud

Innovating tomorrow The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology School of Engineering

Top 1% globally*

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Protests at SA universities

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UP students praised for bravery in #FeesmustFall march

10

Faculty of Education new Dean

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Prof Irma groet Opvoedkunde as Dekaan

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Cover photo/Voorbladfoto

Celebration of academic excellence at UP

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The School of Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology celebrates its 60th birthday this year. Tukkie offers a range of articles about the Faculty and its people.

Prof Sandwith receives VC’s Book Award

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Teaching IFRS rookies

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Die Skool van Ingenieurswese in die Fakulteit van Ingenieurswese, Bou-omgewing en Inligtingtegnologie vier vanjaar sy 60ste verjaarsdag. Tukkie bied ‘n reeks artikels aan oor die Fakulteit en sy mense.

Regskliniek kry Toekenning vir Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid

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UP reaches 250 000 alumni

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Eredoktorsgraad in Teologie toegeken

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UP Thuthuka student first ever in Top 10

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Academic success for Carley

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Haugs kry saam graad

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Tracey left, Danielle right

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UP's Future Africa campus taking shape

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World class facilities opened

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Dynamic young researcher excels

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UP lecturer receives G200 Silver Angel Award

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Making bioprospecting work

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Graduate School of Technology Management Only Master’s Programme in Project Management in Africa which is accredited

INSiAVA has filed a suite of patents for more than 15 different inventions from

by the Global Accreditation Center for Project Management Education Programs (GAC), of the Project Management Institute, USA.

this School.

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Kumba Virtual Reality Centre for Mine Design — first in Africa

graduates 2011 — 2015

* Thomson Reuters International Science Index

School for the Built Environment

Leading institute providing management skills and knowledge to practising engineers and scientists.

School of Information Technology

The programme in architecture is accredited by the South

The BCom (Informatics) degree offered by the University

African Council for the

Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) of the USA.

of Pretoria is the only degree in Africa that is

internationally accredited by the Accreditation

Architectural Profession (SACAP) and the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA).

South African Council of Shopping Centres Chair — first in Africa

VC’s message

in Real Estate can lead to registration as a professional property valuer

EBIT boasts

63

NRF-rated researchers

fields in this School: Computer Science, Informatics and Infomation Science.

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undergraduate degrees are offered in this School

Enige redaksionele navrae of inligting kan gerig word aan: Marissa Greeff E-pos/Email: marissa.greeff@up.ac.za Tel: 012 420 5193 Change of address/Adresveranderings

Please send notification of change of address or cancellations to: Gee asseblief kennis van adresveranderings of kansellasies 60 years of engineering education at Tuks deur na: E-pos/Email: alumni@up.ac.za Tel: 012 420 3533 Celebrating a legacy

Faks/Fax: 012 362 5088 Quote the code that appears on the address label in all correspondence. Meld die kode wat op u adresetiket verskyn in alle korrespondensie.

36 733 15 932 undergraduate students 2011 — 2015

Menings in Tukkie is dié van die betrokke persoon en nie noodwendig die standpunt van die Universiteit van Pretoria nie. Tukkie word uitgegee deur die Universiteit van Pretoria se Departement Universiteitsbetrekkinge.

Any editorial queries or information can be sent to:

There are three study

An honours degree

Opinions expressed in Tukkie are those of the individual concerned and not necessarily the view of the University of Pretoria. Tukkie is published by the University of Pretoria’s Department of University Relations.

Editor/Redakteur: Marissa Greeff

postgraduate registrations 2012 — 2015

Make today matter

Writers /Skrywers: Alexander Andreou Annalize Brynard Enterprises University of Pretoria Marissa Greeff

Photos/Foto’s: EYEscape Studios, unless otherwise indicated EYEscape Studios, tensy anders vermeld UP Archives/UP Argief Subediting/Redigering: UP Language Unit/UP Taaleenheid

www.up.ac.za/ebit

Shakira Hoosain Gert Pienaar ScienceLink Vincent Turner

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Behind fire and brimstone: Prof Andrie GarbersCraig

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Ingenieurs verbeter kogleêre inplantings: Prof Tania Hanekom

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Turning grey matter green: Prof Elsabé Kearsley

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Mining giant thanks EBIT for solid foundation

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UP Ingenieursgraad maak deure oop

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Energetic engineering keeps the lights on

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UP leer toewyding aan die taak

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Weekend joggers, cyclists also to benefit

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Professional online development

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Three generations of family footprints at UP

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In memoriam

45 TUKKIE

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Principal’s message

Dear Tukkie reader Since last year South African universities have experienced unprecedented levels of protest about a variety of issues. What began in 2015 as peaceful protest against fee increases evolved into a rolling list of demands about a range of issues such as student accommodation, transformation and outsourced contract workers. At UP the #FeesmustFall campaign was conducted peacefully, and 2015 ended on a positive note. In 2016, however, we have had to deal with disruptions related to language policy and outsourced contract workers.

While we in South Africa were focussed on our own campus action, students at the University of Missouri in the United States were protesting to make the campus more diverse, equitable and inclusive. Meanwhile, thousands of students across India were rallying in support of their colleagues at Jawaharlal Nehru University, who were striking in protest against the arrest of a student leader on a charge of sedition.

Student protests are frequently at the forefront of change in a democracy. But in order to bring about sustainable change for the better, they

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

must be conducted in a peaceful and non-violent manner, with mutual respect, and without making people feel intimidated or otherwise threatened.

As management, we will continue to encourage and promote dialogue. We are committed to listening to all our students, and we will make every effort within our control and without undermining the sustainability of the University, to address issues raised by students.

The University has increased its contribution to more than 3 000 poor students, including providing funds for and reducing the cost of some food items. Fortunately, government has made good on the promise to fund the shortfall due to the declaration of no fee increases for 2016

by President Zuma and an additional R4.6 billion was allocated for students benefitting from the National Financial Aid Scheme. The SRC launched a fundraising drive aimed at raising R10 million as their contribution towards building a more inclusive and accessible institution. The launch was attended by the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Councillor Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and representatives from Absa Bank, who were the first two major contributors to the SRC initiative.

Looking back over the 108 years of UP’s existence, it is clearly a resilient institution that has not only survived internal and external challenges and turmoil but has been able to grow and develop despite difficult circumstances. A search through the archives shows that over the past century UP has survived the impact of two world wars, numerous riots and protests, and the rise and end of apartheid. One of the most challenging times was when the Second World War polarised the country in various factions. In June 1940 the internment of a Tuks student by the government led to such protests and turmoil among students that the Principal was forced to close the University one week earlier for the winter recess.

This meant starting the year-end examinations one week later than scheduled.

When we approved our long-term strategy, UP 2025, we anticipated encountering unforeseen circumstances along the way. This is why we referred to our driving principles as navigational markers: quality, relevance, diversity and sustainability. These principles remain firmly in place as they comprise the foundation of what makes a university great in the 21st century.

Until now we have been making steady progress towards reaching our UP 2015 objectives, for example with regard to international rankings. UP is included in the Times Higher Education World Rankings and is ranked 501-550 in the QS World University Rankings – the two top global university ranking systems.

At the beginning of 2016 UP welcomed as firstyear students many top academic achievers who had obtained six distinctions or more from all parts of the country. A total of 152 students with an average of higher than 90% in Grade 12 registered at UP; we attracted 20% of all National Senior Certificate candidates who achieved this average. The top achiever in Gauteng in 2015, Minét Uys from the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, matriculated with eight distinctions, and enrolled at UP for chemical engineering. Another inspiring example is Winnie Makgomo Ngoepe from Limpopo. She attended St Bede’s High School where she matriculated with seven distinctions.

A proud member of the JuniorTukkie Club since high school, she received a full bursary to study actuarial science at UP.

that operates on the basis of the public good, contributes to South Africa’s socio-economic development, and serves the national interest.

In taking on these responsibilities, the University responded to the call by government to increase the intake of medical, veterinary and engineering students in order to advance the national development goals.

Tangible proof of our commitment is the construction, with the help of generous grants from the National Skills Development Fund, of new infrastructure to accommodate the increased number of students on the Prinshof and Onderstepoort campuses, as well as the ongoing improvement and refurbishment of facilities for engineering students on the Hatfield Campus.

This edition of the Tukkie covers the official opening of the new Bophelong Student Residence for medical students on the Prinshof Campus and the opening of the Lesedi Complex serving the academic needs of veterinary students on the Onderstepoort Campus.

The story on 60 years of Engineering at UP reminds us that resilience and innovation are complementary attributes embedded in our institutional DNA. Resilience is generally defined as the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, and innovation is defined as making changes to something already in existence, for example by introducing new methods, ideas or products. The combination of not only withstanding and adapting to change or challenges, but simultaneously responding and using the opportunities offered by changing circumstances to develop new, and by implication better, ways of doing things, is what in the past guaranteed the success of the University of Pretoria and will continue to do so in the future.

Warmest Tukkie greetings

Prof Cheryl de la Rey Vice-Chancellor and Principal

As a public university the University of Pretoria is committed to being an engaged university

TUKKIE

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Rektor se boodskap Beste Tukkie-leser Universiteite in Suid-Afrika ondervind sedert verlede jaar ongekende vlakke van protes oor ’n verskeidenheid kwessies. Wat in 2015 as vreedsame protes teen die verhoging van fooie begin het, het gegroei tot ’n voortgaande lys eise oor ’n verskeidenheid kwessies soos akkommodasie vir studente, transformasie en uitkontraktering van werkers. By UP het die #FeesmustFall-veldtog vreedsaam verloop, en 2015 het op ’n positiewe noot geëindig. In 2016 het ons te doen met ontwrigting wat met die taalbeleid en uitkontraktering van werkers verband hou.

Terwyl ons in Suid-Afrika op ons eie kampusaksie gefokus was, het studente aan die Universiteit van Missouri in die Verenigde State geprotesteer om die kampus meer divers, billik en inklusief te maak. Terselfdertyd het duisende studente dwarsoor Indië betoog ter ondersteuning van hulle kollegas aan die Jawaharlal Nehruuniversiteit, wat gestaak het uit protes teen die arrestasie van ’n studenteleier op ’n aanklag van sedisie.

Studenteprotes is dikwels op die voorpunt van verandering in ’n demokrasie. Om volhoubare verandering ten goede teweeg te bring, moet dit vreedsaam en niegewelddadig geskied, met wedersydse respek en sonder om mense te laat voel dat hulle geïntimideer of andersins bedreig word. As bestuur wil ons dialoog aanmoedig en bevorder. Ons is daartoe verbind om na al ons studente te luister, en ons sal alles in ons vermoë doen, binne ons beheer en sonder om die volhoubaarheid van die Universiteit te ondermyn, om aandag te gee aan kwessies wat deur studente geopper word.

Die Universiteit het sy bydrae vir meer as 3 000 arm studente op verskeie maniere vermeerder,

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

insluitende befondsing vir en verlaging van die koste van sommige voedselitems. Gelukkig het die regering gehou by sy belofte om befondsing te verskaf vir die tekort voortspruitend uit president Zuma se verklaring van geen verhoging van fooie in 2016 nie, en 'n bykomende R4,6 miljard is aan die Nasionale Finansiële Hulpskema toegeken.

Die VSR het’n fondsinsamelingsprojek begin wat daarop gemik is om R10 miljoen in te samel as hulle bydrae tot die bou van ’n meer inklusiewe en toeganklike instelling. Die loodsing is bygewoon deur die Uitvoerende Burgemeester van die Stad Tshwane, raadslid Kgosientso Ramokgopa, en verteenwoordigers van Absa Bank, wat die eerste twee groot bydraers tot die VSR se inisiatief was.

By terugskoue oor die 108 jaar van UP se bestaan is dit duidelik dat dit ’n veerkragtige instelling is wat nie net interne en eksterne uitdagings en beroerings oorleef het nie maar gegroei en ontwikkel het ten spyte van moeilike omstandighede. ’n Kykie in die argiewe toon dat UP oor die afgelope eeu die impak van twee wêreldoorloë, talle oproere en proteste en die opkoms en einde van apartheid oorleef het. Een van die uitdagendste tye was toe die Tweede Wêreldoorlog die land in verskeie faksies verdeel het. In Junie 1940 het die internering van ’n Tukkiestudent deur die regering tot sulke proteste en beroerings onder studente gelei dat die Rektor genoodsaak was om die Universiteit 'n week vroeër te sluit vir die winterreses. Dit het meegebring dat die jaareindeksamens ’n week later begin het as wat beplan is.

Toe ons ons langtermynstrategie, UP 2025, goedgekeur het, het ons verwag om oor tyd onvoorsiene omstandighede te ondervind. Dit is hoekom ons ons dryfbeginsels as navigasiebakens beskou: kwaliteit, relevansie, diversiteit en volhoubaarheid. Hierdie beginsels bly stewig staan aangesien dit die grondslag is van ʼn

uitstekende universiteit in die 21ste eeu. Tot dusver het ons bestendige vordering gemaak om ons UP 2025-oogmerke te verwesenlik, byvoorbeeld met betrekking tot internasionale ranglyste. UP is ingesluit in die Times Higher Education-wêreldranglys en is 501-550 in die QS World University-ranglys – die twee topuniversiteitsranglysstelsels ter wêreld.

Aan die begin van 2016 het UP talle top akademiese presteerders wat ses of meer onderskeidings ontvang het, uit alle dele van die land as eerstejaarstudente verwelkom. Altesaam 152 studente met ’n gemiddelde van hoër as 90% in Graad 12 het aan UP geregistreer; ons het 20% van alle Nasionale Senior Sertifikaatkandidate wat hierdie gemiddelde behaal het, gelok. Die toppresteerder in 2015 in Gauteng, Minét Uys van die Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool, het met agt onderskeidings gematrikuleer en het vir chemiese ingenieurswese aan UP ingeskryf. Nog ’n besielende voorbeeld is Winnie Makgomo Ngoepe van Limpopo. Sy het die St Bede’s High School bygewoon, waar sy met sewe onderskeidings gematrikuleer het. As ’n trotse lid van die JuniorTukkieklub sedert hoërskool, het sy ’n volle beurs ontvang om aktuariële wetenskap aan UP te studeer.

behoeftes van veeartsenykundestudente op die Onderstepoortkampus gemik is.

Die verhaal van 60 jaar van Ingenieurswese aan UP herinner ons daaraan dat veerkragtigheid en innovasie komplementerende eienskappe is wat in ons institusionele DNS ingebed is.

Veerkragtigheid word gewoonlik omskryf as die vermoë om vinnig te herstel uit moeilike toestande, en innovasie word omskryf as die aanbring van veranderinge aan iets wat reeds bestaan, byvoorbeeld deur nuwe metodes, idees of produkte in te voer. Die kombinasie van nie net veranderinge of uitdagings te weerstaan en daarby aan te pas nie maar terselfdertyd te reageer op en gebruik te maak van die geleenthede wat deur veranderende omstandighede gebied word om nuwe, en by implikasie beter, maniere te ontwikkel om dinge te doen, is wat in die verlede die sukses van die Universiteit van Pretoria gewaarborg het, en dit sal in die toekoms ook so wees.

Vriendelike Tukkie-groete Prof Cheryl de la Rey Visekanselier en Rektor

As ’n openbare instelling is die Universiteit van Pretoria daartoe verbind om ’n betrokke universiteit te wees wat op die grondslag van die openbare welsyn funksioneer, tot SuidAfrika se sosio-ekonomiese ontwikkeling bydra en landsbelang dien. Met die aanvaarding van hierdie verantwoordelikhede het die Universiteit gereageer op die oproep deur die regering om die inname van mediese, veeartsenykundeen ingenieurstudente te verhoog ten einde die nasionale ontwikkelingsdoelwitte te help verwesenlik.

Tasbare bewys van ons verbintenis is die oprigting, met behulp van ruim toekennings uit die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingsfonds, van nuwe infrastruktuur om die groter aantal studente op die Prinshof- en die Onderstepoortkampus te akkommodeer, asook die deurlopende verbetering en opknapping van fasiliteite vir ingenieurstudente op die Hatfieldkampus. Hierdie uitgawe van die Tukkie dek die amptelike opening van die nuwe Bophelong-koshuis vir mediese studente op die Prinshofkampus en die opening van die Lesedi-kompleks, wat op die akademiese

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Prof De la Rey said there was a perception that UP had endless resources and she emphasized that the University’s resources were finite and diminishing.

at various institutions throughout 2015 with a ministerial summit on transformation in October and the announcement of a zero increase in tuition fees by President Zuma for 2016.

PROTESTS AT SA UNIVERSITIES “The University of Pretoria was founded on our dream of being world class and that dream is looming close to full realisation as we see our movement in the rankings. Let us not let go of that dream.”

The

Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, made these remarks when she briefed the staff of the University recently on student unrest and reflected on the implications thereof during her address at the academic opening of the University which coincides with the celebration of the University’s birthday on 10 February 2016.

It is clear that a difficult year lies ahead for higher education and the University in the light of the challenges facing the country, including,

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

among others, funding challenges for the higher education sector. Prof De la Rey thanked all staff for their cooperation, understanding and loyalty during the protests, and apologised for the inconvenience and emotional stress caused by the events.

Prof De la Rey told the UP staff gathered at the academic opening that these developments needed to be understood in relation to the external context in which the University operates.

She referred to international meetings in 2014 where university leaders from across the world reflected on the increasingly politicised environment of higher education against the background of student protests in Quebec, Canada in 2012 and in Chile between 2011 and 2013.

Nationally, Prof De la Rey referred to the #RhodesmustFall campaign and the nationwide #FeesmustFall movement at UCT in 2015 that placed the transformation of higher education under the spotlight. Protest action continued

At UP the 2015 #FeesmustFall protests were peaceful and in terms of an agreement reached with students as a result of the protests, the University provided from its own funds additional student financial aid amounting to R174 million.

End of the year examinations were completed without disruptions.

Government on 8 January announced an allocation of an additional R4.6 billion for NSFAS funding and R2.3 billion to universities to fund the shortfall created by the 0% increase. The University of Pretoria received R132 million from government towards the shortfall of R189 million and contributed R57 million from own funds.

Historic student debt has been provided for in the additional NSFAS allocation and in this category UP is owed R97 million. The 'missing middle' – students with a family income of R150 000 annually that do not qualify for NSFAS funding but who can also not afford tuition fees, will be addressed from 2018.

Notwithstanding the presidential announcement, protest over various issues continued into 2016 at many universities. The Vice-Chancellors of South African universities issued a statement on 11 January stating their common goals of affordable, quality higher education. They called on government to prioritise the funding of higher education as SA universities are underfunded both in comparison to other universities worldwide and universities in Africa.

Prof De la Rey said there was a perception that UP had endless resources and she emphasized that the University’s resources were finite and diminishing. UP’s current funding framework consists of funds that are earmarked and others that are Council controlled. Government’s subsidy constitutes 38% and student fees 28%.

The Minister of Higher Education informed the universities that in 2017 a regulatory funding framework will apply to address the issue of the affordability of higher education.

The Vice-Chancellor spelled out the implications of these events on the UP 2025 strategic objectives and the University’s five-year plans (2016 is the final year of the first five-year plan) based on the navigational markers of quality, relevance, diversity and sustainability. Prof De la Rey confirmed that these principles remain the foundation of what makes a great university in the 21st century. ¾

When the University of Pretoria looks back over the 108 years of its existence, it is clear that it is a resilient institution that has not only survived internal and external challenges and turmoil, but has developed and grown despite difficult circumstances.

When she welcomed first-year students and their families and friends at the start of the 2016 academic year, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, pointed out that UP has survived the impact of two world wars, numerous riots and protests and the rise and fall of apartheid over the past century. “The key lesson we can draw from our past is that if we remain open to being responsive and adaptive whilst not sacrificing quality and the essential characteristics of a good university, we will continue with our path of progress to our vision to be a leading university recognised for our quality, relevance and impact.”

The Gauteng Vice-Chancellors also stated their commitment to searching for solutions with students as well as their concern about disruptions and violence while the majority of students wanted to proceed with their studies.

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UP students praised for

bravery in #FeesmustFall march Two University of Pretoria students received recognition and praise from the University and the British High Commission for their bravery, compassion and exemplary conduct during the #FeesmustFall student march through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Buildings on 23 October 2015.

At the ceremony at the University with the ViceChancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, centre, are from left to right Ms Helen Horne of the British High Commission, Msizi Ndlovu, Modise Sefume and Ms Linda Hooper, British High Commission.

Msizi

Ndlovu and Modise Sefume came to the rescue of Helen Horne and Linda Hooper, two female staff members of the British High Commission, who were conducting official business in downtown Pretoria on the day when they were surrounded by a rampant mob that smashed the rear window of their vehicle with a brick.

Shocked, but physically unharmed, the ladies were struggling to extract themselves from the situation when the students appeared on the scene. They provided assistance, found a safe place to park

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

the vehicle and escorted the ladies to a nearby medical clinic which afforded security from the mob. They monitored the situation, remained with the ladies until the violence had passed and assisted with their eventual return to the British High Commission.

Members of the British High Commission conveyed their thanks to UP and the two young men at a small ceremony held at the University.

Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor of UP, said the actions of these students went far beyond peaceful conduct during protest actions. "Msizi and Modise acted with great responsibility, bravery and compassion to assist innocent bystanders, and are a great credit to themselves and our institution. I am honoured and humbled by the shining example of their truly remarkable conduct under difficult circumstances, which exemplifies the values of humanity, decency and social cohesion that we try to foster in our students. I do believe that they will in time receive recognition as role models to be emulated as we move together on our shared path to inclusivity and social cohesion as an institution and as a country."

Colonel John McCardle, Defence Adviser of the British High Commission, said the students' actions were worthy of both praise and recognition for themselves and UP. “Their actions bring great credit on themselves and the institution. We are all most grateful for their assistance in a time of need and their ability to stand up and be counted when the easier option was most likely to turn away.”

Ndlovu is a sixth year medical student at UP and Sefume completed his LLB degree in 2015. He is currently a candidate attorney with Schindler's Attorneys, Notaries and Conveyancers in Sandton.

"This wasn't a random act of kindness. If we were in the same situation today we will do exactly the same again, because this is the way we were raised and what we stand for," says Sefume. ¾

FACULTY OF EDUCATION NEW DEAN Prof Molatlhegi Trevor (Chika) Sehoole has been appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Education with effect from 1 June 2016. He succeeds Prof Irma Eloff who completes two successive terms as Dean of the Faculty at the end of May.

He

has been Head of the Department of Education Management and Policy Studies in the Faculty of Education since 2011.

Prof Sehoole has a BA in Pedagogics from the University of the North (now part of the University of Limpopo) and a Bachelor of Education, a master’s and a PhD in Education all from the University of the Witwatersrand.

His academic career started as a lecturer in UP’s Faculty of Education in 2001. After his promotion to associate professor in 2007, he was seconded to the National Department of Education until 2010 where he held the positions of Chief Director: Higher Education Policy and Development Support, and Chief Director: Higher Education Planning and Management Support.

Prof Sehoole is a Fullbright Scholar and was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois in 2003 and 2004, where he was supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation.

He has published extensively in the field of higher education. His single-authored book,

Democratizing higher education policy: Constraints of reform in post-apartheid South Africa was published by Routledge in 2005. He was co-editor of Internationalisation of African Higher Education: Towards achieving the MDGs published by Sense Publishers in 2013.

He has authored or co-authored a number of published peer-reviewed policy briefs, chapters in scholarly volumes and articles in accredited journals in his fields of research specialisation.

Between June 2013 and June 2014 he served on a task team of the Council on Higher Education, which conducted a 20-year review of the status of higher education in South Africa. During 2012 and 2013 he participated in a research initiative of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which focused on governance in higher education.

An NRF-rated scientist, he maintains a number of active research collaborations nationally and internationally. He has been involved in various outreach projects in local communities. ¾

TUKKIE

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Deur Annalize Brynard

Irma

Eloff se eerste herinneringe aan onderwys is die dae toe sy buite haar ma, ‘n graad een onderwyseres, se klaskamer op die stoep gespeel het. By die Hoërskool Noordheuwel in Krugersdorp het haar wiskunde onderwyseres haar daarop gewys dat sy gebore is vir die onderwys: “Ek hoop jy gaan vir jou ‘n TOD (Transvaalse Onderwysdepartement) beurs kry en onderwys studeer”, het sy haar aangemoedig.

Die verloop van prof Eloff se loopbaan het haar ook verras. Sy was aangetrokke tot die akademiese wêreld, veral tot Opvoedkundige Sielkunde omdat sy graag kinders met uitdagings wou help.

Prof Irma Eloff groet Opvoedkunde as Dekaan

Prof Irma Eloff, die sewende dekaan, maar die eerste vrou wat die posisie beklee het, tree aan die einde van Mei uit na agt jaar as Dekaan van die Fakulteit Opvoedkunde.

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

Nadat sy haar BA-graad by Noordwes Universiteit (destydse Potchefstroom Universiteit) voltooi het, het sy na Tukkies gekom vir haar Hoër Onderwysdiploma. “Die dag toe ek by die Fakulteit Opvoedkunde ingestap het, het ek dadelik tuis gevoel”, sê prof Eloff. Sy het nagraads in Opvoedkundige Sielkunde gestudeer en ‘n PhD-graad van die Universiteit van Stellenbosch verwerf. By UP se Fakulteit Opvoedkunde was sy onderwysassistent, navorsingsassistent, tegniese assistent en tutor. Daarna was sy dosent en toe hoof van die Departement Opvoedkundige Sielkunde, toe voorsitter van die Skool vir Opvoedkundige Studies en, op 39-jarige ouderdom, het sy dekaan geword.

menseverhoudinge binne en buite die Fakulteit.

Van die top leerders in die land doen aansoek om by ons Fakulteit te studeer”.

“Internasionaal hoef ons vir niemand terug te staan nie”, stel prof Eloff dit duidelik. Sy is trots op vele hoogtepunte in die Fakulteit in haar termyn maar in besonder daarop dat die Nasionale Navorsingsfederasie UP se Fakulteit Opvoedkunde as een van die top Opvoedkunde fakulteite met vele gegradeerde navorsers aangewys het.

Nog ‘n hoogtepunt was die QS World Rankings se gradering wat UP Opvoedkunde as een van die 150 beste wêreldwyd erken het.

Vir prof Eloff is die kampus infrastuktuurontwikkelings op die Groenkloofkampus van meer as R70 miljoen, wat in haar termyn aangepak en voltooi is, ook ‘n besondere hoogtepunt.

“Toe ek dekaan geword het, het ons nog nie geweet wat 'n i-pad was nie, daar was geen koffie- of boekwinkels op die Groenkloofkampus nie en die grootste lesinglokaal kon omtrent 150 studente neem. As ek terugkyk, weet ek ons het baie vermag en ek sien uit na wat die toekoms vir Opvoedkunde by Tukkies inhou. Die Fakulteit het besonderse akademici en personeel wat met toewyding werk om 'n verskil in die breë onderwyssektor te maak”, sê sy met trots.

Dat sy kans gesien het vir so ‘n verantwoordelike pos op so ‘n jong ouderdom, was te danke aan haar agtergrond. Irma is die oudste van drie kinders en haar ma was ‘n weduwee. Toe Irma in Graad 10 was, is haar ma met breingewasse gediagnoseer en as oudste dogter het sy baie van die verantwoordelikhede van die huishouding op haarself geneem. Dit het haar gereed gemaak vir die groter uitdagings wat in die toekoms sou wag.

“Natuurlik lê die nuwe model van die BEd program wat ontwikkel is en wat die vakkennis van onderwysers dramaties verdiep het, my baie naby na aan die hart en dit is in my oë ‘n reuse hoogtepunt”, sê sy met ʼn glimlag. Die samewerking tussen vier fakulteite, het die BEd baie sterk gemaak. Die Fakulteit het ook strategiese samewerkingsooreenkomste met verskeie universiteite in die buiteland.

Prof Eloff meen dat daar baie uitdagings rondom implementering in die onderwys bestaan. “Ons het goeie beleide. Ons het ook hoë vlakke van toewyding tot die onderwys en het ‘n ‘hart’ vir die onderwys, maar ongelukkig sukkel ons dikwels in die onderwys om beleid te implementeer en om mense aanspreeklik te hou”, sê sy.

Prof Eloff neem ‘n jaar sabbatsverlof en gaan akademiese artikels in Opvoedkundige Sielkunde skryf. Sy werk aan ‘n boek en is lid van die UNESCO Internasionale Taakspan vir Onderwysers “wat werk om die volhoubaarheidsdoelwitte (‘Global Sustainability Goals’) te bereik”.

Haar oë word sag as sy praat oor die mense in die Fakulteit Opvoedkunde op die Groenkloofkampus.

“Dis die ménse wat dit die uitnemende Fakulteit maak wat dit is. Die personeel is passievol oor die onderwys en hul handhaaf baie hoë standaarde vir hulself en vir hul studente. Hier is ‘n sterk kollegialiteit op ons kampus met baie goeie

Sy en haar man, Daan, het twee seuns wat albei

by Tukkies studeer. Daniël is ingeskryf vir die LLB graad in die Fakulteit Regsgeleerdheid en Rohann vir BCom (Regte) in die Fakulteit Ekonomiese en Bestuurswetenskappe. ¾

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13

Celebration of academic excellence at UP The academic achievers event has become one of the highlights on the University of Pretoria’s calendar. This event celebrates excellence in UP’s core functions of research, teaching and learning and community engagement.

Speaking

at the event that took place on 5 April, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, said that despite the turbulent times experienced by higher education in South Africa, a key success factor to survival and growth is dedicated staff that are committed to excellence.

She congratulated the University’s exceptional academic achievers, teaching excellence laureates, those who received awards and NRFrated researchers, saying that they light the way on the institution’s path of progress to its vision of becoming a leading research-intensive university in Africa, recognised for developing people, creating knowledge and making a difference both locally and globally.

Prof de la Rey said that it has become much more of a challenge to remain focused on the core academic business of the University, since protests and threats of protest action have dominated the discourse about universities.

“It is at a time like this, that the University relies on its staff to focus even more on the core academic mission of the University as the consequences of not doing so could be dire - not only for the University of Pretoria but for the country as a whole”.

The University of Pretoria continues to improve the quality and impact of its core functions as an established national flagship university, building on its excellent track record in teaching and learning through developing its hybrid teaching model and cementing and growing its role and standing as a leading research-intensive university in South Africa and Africa with a strong focus on development. All of this is achieved through the continued commitment and

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

hard work of the University’s core asset, its people.

Prof De la Rey posed the question as to how the risks, concerns and fears generated by the volatility in the sector can be mitigated. She said the answer lies in the idea of the university as a resilient institution and “resilience can be assured in our commitment to excellence”.

1

2

“Superlative performance is really a confluence of dozens of small skills or activities, each one learned or stumbled upon, which have been carefully drilled into habit and then are fitted together in a synthesised whole. I am confident that each academic achiever tonight is able to reflect on how, at some time, she or he took a decision to follow a path devoted to being excellent.”

The guest speaker at the event was Dr Molapo Qhobela, Chief Executive Officer of the National Research Foundation (NRF). Prof Bernard Slippers, research leader in the Tree Protection Co-operative Programme and the Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology in FAB, received the Chancellor’s Award for Research. Prof Patricia Forbes (Analytical Chemistry) received the individual Teaching Excellence and Innovation Laureate Award for the development of an educational spectrophotometer, the SpecUP, which students can assemble themselves and use to determine the composition of a sample.

Prof Pedro Crous (Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology) and Prof Erika de Wet, SARChI Professor of International Constitutional Law in the Faculty of Law, are the University’s latest A-rated researchers.

With six of the eight academics recognised as Exceptional Academic Achievers and both the Exceptional Young Researchers from the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, the Faculty shone as a banner of excellence. The Exceptional Academic Achievers from the Faculty are the Dean, Prof Jean Lubuma, Professors Johann Kirsten, Theresa Coutinho, Andrew McKechnie, John Taylor and Louis Nel. Prof Nico de Bruyn and Dr Peter le Roux are the Exceptional Young Researchers. Prof Frans Viljoen (Law) and Prof Liesel Ebersöhn (Education) are the other Exceptional Academic Achievers. ¾

3

4 1. The Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, Prof Wiseman Nkuhlu, presents the Chancellor’s Award: Research to Prof Bernard Slippers, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

2. Prof Josua Meyer, second from right, of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology received the Exceptional Supervisor Award. Here he is, from left, with Prof Stephanie Burton, Vice-Principal: Research and Postgraduate Education, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey and Dr Molapo Qhobela, CEO of the NRF and guest speaker.

3. Some of the University’s A-rated researchers with guests from the NRF are, from left, Prof Erika de Wet, A-rated researcher, Faculty of Law; Dr Dorsamy (Gansen) Pillay, Deputy Chief Executive Officer: Research and Innovation Support and Advancement, NRF; Prof Xiaohua Xia, A-rated researcher, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology; Prof Nkuhlu, Prof De la Rey, Dr Qhobela, Dr Rocky Skeef, Executive Director: Reviews and Evaluation, NRF; and Prof Pedro Crous, A-rated researcher, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.

4. Among the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences’ academics that were acknowledged as Exceptional Academic Achievers were, on the left, Prof Louis Nel and Prof Teresa Coutinho and on the right, Prof Jean Lubuma and Prof John Taylor. In the middle of the photograph are Dr Molapo Qhobela and Prof Cheryl de la Rey. TUKKIE

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Prof Sandwith receives VC’s Book Award Prof Corinne Sandwith of the Department of English received the VC’s Book Award in the category humanities and social sciences for her book, A world of letters: Reading communities and cultural debates in early apartheid South Africa.

The pioneering study recovers a rich historical tradition of public debate about literature and culture in South Africa. Moving away from the conventional emphasis on high culture and elite intellectual activity, Prof Sandwith constructs a fragmented history from the margins drawing on periodical reviews, magazine articles, debating societies and theatre groups. This finely grained and richly archived account of a South African tradition of democratic humanism restores to its rightful place a vibrant parallel stream of dissent under early apartheid.

Prof Sandwith is an associate professor in the Department of English who received the Faculty Researcher of the Year award (Languages Cluster in the Faculty of Humanities) in 2015. Her research interests include the history of reading, criticism and public debate in early apartheid South Africa with a particular focus on marginal print cultures and the dissident press. ¾

Teaching IFRS rookies

Research informs Astrid and Stephen’s teaching and they received funding to support their 16

Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

KRY TOEKENNING VIR GEMEENSKAPSBETROKKENHEID Die Universiteit van Pretoria se Regskliniek het oor die afgelope 35 jaar die kennis, vaardighede en waardes van finalejaar-regstudente deur kliniese regsopleiding ontwikkel. Die UP-Regskliniek het kantore in Hatfield, Mamelodi en Hammanskraal en bied toegang tot die regstelsel aan duisende behoeftige Suid-Afrikaners wat andersins nie toegang tot geregtigheid sou hê nie.

Die studente se gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is te danke aan ʼn toegewyde studenteafdeling onder leiding van Christo Fritz en Frik Grobler. Hulle gee klas, hou toesig, gee leiding, evalueer die praktiese werk van finalejaarregstudente en bestuur die afdeling.

Benewens hul pligte as lektore en toesighouers, is Christo en Frik direk betrokke by die gemeenskap deur kliënte in regsgedinge en nie-geregtelike aangeleenthede te verteenwoordig. Hulle help ook om fondse in te samel deur kort kursusse vir kollegas in die regsprofessie aan te bied en navorsingsverslae te lewer.

Christo Fritz het sy LLB aan die Universiteit van Pretoria behaal en is tans besig met sy finalejaar LLM-studie.

Hy is in Januarie 2012 as prokureur en notaris toegelaat. Nadat hy vir ʼn ruk in die Vrystaat gepraktiseer het, het Christo in 2013 by die Regskliniek aangesluit. Sedertdien het hy gevorderde kursusse in sportreg, arbeidsreg, inheemse reg en besigheidsredding voltooi.

Frik Grobler het in 2009 as kandidaatprokureur by die Regskliniek aangesluit. Hy het die grade BCom (Regte) en LLB aan die Universiteit van Pretoria behaal en het ʼn gevorderde sertifikaat in alternatiewe dispuutresolusie by die Arbitrasiestigting van Suid-Afrika voltooi. Hy is in 2010 as prokureur van die Hooggeregshof van Suid-Afrika toegelaat en in 2014 as notaris. ¾

UP reaches 250 000 alumni

Prof Stephen Coetzee and Ms Astrid Schmulian received the Team Award in the Teaching Excellence and Innovation Laureate Awards at the University of Pretoria’s annual Academic Achievers event.

Astrid and Stephen teach in the Department of Accounting in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. They introduced studentcentred, framework-based teaching to which they were exposed at an International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) teachers’ workshop in London and through research done by the University of Stanford's Prof Mary Barth. Their classes include boot camps, case studies, discussions, debates, opinions and role plays.

Funded by Deloitte, they entered the students’ universe, embracing YouTube and implementing webinars for tutorials, consultation and crisis management when faced by disruptions to the formal academic programme.

REGSKLINIEK

research from the International Association of Accounting Education and Research (IAAER).

They were the first South African-based authors to publish in Issues in Accounting Education. As a result of their supervision of students and also of their own doctoral studies, their local research community in the field of accounting education expands continuously. Today they are jointly ranked 8th on the Brigham Young Individual Accounting Education Ranking for 2015, making a significant contribution to UP’s ranking as one of the Top 5 universities in terms of this ranking. ¾

The University of Pretoria’s 2016 Autumn Graduation ceremonies were extra special because at the end of the four weeks of graduation ceremonies, the University reached the impressive total of 250 000 alumni registered on its database. The Autumn Graduation ceremonies took place from 30 March to 29 April.

“I wish to congratulate every graduate on this very special occasion,” said Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University. “UP has been the university of choice for many of the country’s top achievers at the end of matric, and as our reputation continues to grow, a qualification from this University remains highly sought after.”

During the Autumn ceremonies a total of 11 328 degrees, diplomas and certificates were conferred.

Among the 10 796 degrees awarded were 188 doctoral degrees, 1 430 master’s degrees and 2 988 honours degrees.

The Faculty of Law had reason to celebrate since 52 of their LLB graduates completed their degrees cum laude this year. ¾

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Autumn graduation ceremonies

Herfsgradeplegtighede

Eredoktorsgraad in Teologie toegeken Emeritus Prof Theo Sundermeier het ‘n eredoktorsgraad in Teologie van die Universiteit van Pretoria ontvang.

Hy het van tyd tot tyd as gasdosent in Europa, Afrika en Asië opgetree. Sy akademiese werk sluit meer as 20 boeke in waarvan hy enkel outeur of redakteur was. Hy het vir baie jare as redakteur, mede-redakteur of voorsitter van redaksionele rade vir ‘n verskeidenheid van joernaalreekse opgetree.

Prof Sundermeier het sy PhD studies aan die Universität Heidelberg voltooi. In die loop van sy akademiese loopbaan was hy ‘n dosent aan teologiese kolleges in Namibië en Suid-Afrika (Umpumulo) (1964 tot 1975), professor in die Teologie van Godsdiensgeskiedenis by die Universität Bochum (1975 tot 1983) en tot sy aftrede professor in Godsdienswetenskap en Missiologie by Universität Heidelberg (1983 tot 2000).

Sedert sy aftrede uit sy akademiese posisie, is prof Sundermeier steeds ‘n geesdriftige en produktiewe navorser. ¾

Prof Sundermeier het ook ‘n betekenisvolle rol in kerksake gespeel. Hy was onder andere voorsitter van die Deutschen Gesellschaft für Missionswissenschaft (1990 tot 2004) en van die komitee vir Kirchlichen Entwicklungsdienst van die Evangelische Kirche in Deutschlands (EKD) (1976 tot 1987). As akademikus was hy ‘n lid van verskeie akademiese verenigings: die International Association of Mission Studies (IAMS), die Gesellschaft für Wissenschaftliche Theologie en die Association Francophone Œcuménique waarvan hy ‘n ere-lid was.

As outeur van ‘n aansienlike aantal publikasies geniet hy steeds internasionale akademiese aansien. Sy belangstellingsvelde sluit sendingsteologie, teologie van godsdienste, interkulturele studies en godsdienskuns in.

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

UP Thuthuka student first ever in

Top

10

Azile Nkabinde, an academic trainee at UP who was a recent student on the University's Chartered Accountant Programme, is the first student in the Thuthuka Education Upliftment Project ever to pass the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants’ (SAICA) ITC exam (first professional exam towards a CA qualification) with honours and as one of the Top 10.

Project aims to transform the demographics of the accounting profession to reflect that of the country in terms of race and gender. The project provides educational support to African learners and students for the benefit of the profession, while helping to uplift communities.

Out of 2 561 students who wrote the national During her final year at Ferrum High School in ITC exam, Azile achieved the fourth place. She Newcastle, Azile knew there was no way her family graduated with distinction in both her BCom and could afford to send her to university. At the time BCom Honours (Accounting Sciences) degrees of her final Grade 12 exams Azile’s mother, a clerk and received subject prizes for best performance at Newcastle Hospital, had in Financial Accounting and She was told that she had been saved enough for university Auditing at honours level accepted as a Thuthuka Bursary registration but not for the in 2015. The University first year of tuition. She is extremely proud of its recipient and would be able fervently hoped she would get contribution to moulding a to study at the University of one of the bursaries for which student of Azile’s calibre and Pretoria. she had applied. character.

Azile's achievement was also celebrated by the SAICA and the Thuthuka Bursary Fund.

Prof Sundermeier, links, en die Dekaan van die Fakulteit Teologie, prof Johan Buitendag, tydens die gradeplegtigheid.

Her love for accounting started when she attended a SAICA Maths Development Camp at Durban’s Adams College in her Grade 11 year.

It was at this camp that Azile became aware of the Thuthuka Bursary Fund. In contributing to transformation and skills development in the country, SAICA’s Thuthuka Education Upliftment

Then she received the call that changed her life: She was told that she had been accepted as a Thuthuka Bursary recipient and would be able to study at the University of Pretoria. Azile’s dream of becoming a chartered accountant was coming true.

Azile currently mentors other Thuthuka students as an academic trainee in UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. ¾

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Autumn graduation ceremonies

Academic success for Carley Carley Lomax received her master’s degree in Recreation and Sports Management at the graduation ceremony that took place on 6 April. What sets Carley apart from the other 1 429 alumni who received master’s degrees in the course of the Autumn graduation ceremonies, is that she was born partially blind.

She obtained her BSport Science degree in 2011 and completed the honours course the following year. Carley is an accomplished athlete who is training to qualify for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and hopes to represent South Africa. She represented South Africa at the International Blind Sports Association athletics world championships in 2007 and participated in the 2015 All Africa Games.

A visual impression of UP’s Future Africa campus, a new hub of scientific discovery and innovation to be built on the Experimental Farm.

Tracey left, Danielle right

Haugs kry saam graad Mev Juanita Haug en haar seun Ricky het albei op 12 April graad gekry. Juanita het die graad BAdmin (Publieke Administrasie) ontvang en Ricky het die graad BAdmin (Openbare Bestuur) ontvang. Juanita is ‘n senior administratiewe beampte by UP se Departement Sielkunde.

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

UP’s Future Africa campus taking shape The Future Africa campus, a new hub of scientific discovery and innovation for Africa, is located on UP’s Experimental Farm. The sodturning ceremony took place on 25 April.

The Steenkamp twins of the Institute for Sports Research received their master’s degrees in Biokinetics (Master of Arts Human Movement Science (Biokinetics)) on 6 April.

Danielle and Tracey work as biokineticists at the University’s Institute for Sports Research. They coordinate the cardiac/diabetes clinic, the hydrotherapy clinic and work mostly with medium to high risk clients.

The twins say they have always performed equally in both academia and sports. When they added the marks of all their years of tertiary study together their total, final marks differed by 0.2%.

What kind of researcher, academic leader and PhD graduate Africa needs in the 21st century?

Those who are steeped in transdisciplinary, innovative, problem-solving and policy-driven research. UP’s Future Africa campus is designed to produce that kind of researcher.

The Future Africa campus will bring together Africa's leading scientists and scholars to leverage

the benefits of transdisciplinary research to address the grand challenges that face Africa and the world Future Africa will host a community of fellows and attract local, African and international scholars, representing a range of disciplines. It will also be home to a number of postgraduate students as well as postdoctoral and research fellows. Through the culture of transdisciplinary engagement and project design, Future Africa will provide a platform to promote the very best of research and innovation and will assist Africa to leap its current development trajectory in the technology and science sectors and nurture a new generation of world-class scholars on the continent. ¾

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World class facilities opened In accordance with UP’s core function as an institution involved with its community, the faculties of Health Sciences and Veterinary Science have undertaken to increase the University’s output of qualified professionals.

Bophelong residence on Prinshof Campus

The Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Mr Gwebs Qonde, left, visited the Veterinary Skills Laboratory accompanied by Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Dr Misheck Mulumba, Director of ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Prof Darrell Abernethy, Dean, and Prof Dieter Holm of Production Animal Studies.

22

Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, greets students on his arrival on the Prinshof Campus for the opening of the Bophelong residence.

Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

The

University received government funding to help it in developing the infrastructure required to boost socioeconomic development in South Africa and Africa inter alia by training human capital in these identified scarce skills categories.

The Tuks Bophelong residence at the Faculty of Health Sciences was officially opened on 1 February by Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education and Training.

The Faculty of Veterinary Science’s Lesedi Complex provide facilities that enable the Faculty to increase its annual intake of veterinary students. The complex was also funded by money received from the National Skills Development Fund and houses a multidisciplinary laboratory, the Veterinary Skills Laboratory, offices for Student Administration and a Student Study Centre.

The complex was opened by the DirectorGeneral of the Department of Higher Education "The provision of accessible, decent and safe and Training, Mr Gwebs Quonde. Prof Darrell student accommodation that promotes learning, Abernethy, Dean of the Faculty, said there is tremendously important for the quality of the are numerous reasons why veterinarians are higher education system and the success of our important to the country’s economy and welfare. students at South African universities, especially They contribute to national those who come from rural and poor backgrounds," the The provision of accessible, decent food security by ensuring the safety of food animal Minister said. "Decent and and safe student accommodation products, improve animal affordable accommodation that promotes learning, is health and production, and enable students to focus support emerging farmers. tremendously important for the their energy on their

academic activities, which quality of the higher education "We have made significant improve their chances progress over the past system. of success. There is number of years in ensuring conclusive evidence that the that the Faculty meets our throughput of students living in residence is much country’s aspirations and needs. In our recently better that those who commute to universities," introduced six-year programme, the emphasis he added. is much more on livestock production and experiential training. We have a wide variety of The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UP, Prof research programmes, many of which focus Cheryl de la Rey, said the new residence forms on crucial national needs such as controlling part of the University’s reaction to the request of dangerous animal diseases and enhancing the the ministers of Health and of Higher Education income of small farmers. The Faculty can now and Training to universities to increase their increase its annual intake of veterinary students intake of medical students so at to provide in our from 140 to 190 in order to provide in South country’s need for medical doctors.

Africa’s growing demand for veterinarians," said UP received funding from the National Skills Prof Abernethy.

Development Fund to upgrade the medical UP is the only institution in South Africa to train campus. Tuks Bophelong residence is the veterinarians and veterinary nurses. The Faculty first major project funded directly from this has 1 000 undergraduate students and more than infrastructure allocation, and was completed at a 330 postgraduate students who are registered cost of about R96 million. for a wide variety of honours, master’s and PhD The facility is located on top of the hill overlooking degrees.

Steve Biko Academic Hospital on the University’s The Lesedi Complex was designed to form a new Prinshof Campus. It comprises five residential entrance to the Onderstepoort Campus and blocks with 301 single rooms, a communal facility has strong, modern, South African architectural 2 and a house parents’ residence of 200 m . Four elements. Open foyers link it to the Sir Arnold rooms are designed and equipped to meet the Theiler Building and the Onderstepoort Veterinary needs of students with physical disabilities.

Academic Hospital. ¾

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Dynamic young researcher excels Kgadi

Mathabathe from the Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education in the Faculty of Education has been chosen by the Embassy of the United States to participate in the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship programme of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). As a Mandela Washington Fellow, Kgadi will be in the United States for six weeks from mid-June and will take part in an academic programme hosted by an US institution of higher education. She will also share her leadership skills and network with other young leaders from sub-Saharan Africa and the United States.

After the academic residency, she will travel to Washington, DC, to participate in the three-day Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit hosted

by President Barack Obama.

During the summit, Kgadi will have the opportunity to interact with leaders in the fields of business, government, and the non-profit sector.

She has also been selected as one of a small number of fellows who will remain in the United States for additional professional development experiences at US companies, non-profit organisations, or government agencies. Upon completion of the programme, her fellowship will continue in South Africa where she will have access to professional development, networking and a variety of funding sources. ¾

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

UP lecturer receives G200 Silver Angel Award Ms

Sedzani Siaga, a senior lecturer in the Department of Accounting in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, was awarded a Silver Angel Award at the annual G200 Youth Forum, that took place in Germany in April this year.

The 2016 G200 Youth Forum is organised by the Swiss-based G200 Association, who annually selects between 150 and 200 of the best students and young experts in the field of international relations, economics, finance and law, who are eligible to become young heads of state or ministers in the national youth delegations to the G200 Youth Summit. The selected young leaders, students and academics, along with representatives of the business world and governments from across the globe participated in this year's Forum, which was one of the largest international events organised by the Association to date.

The G200 Association, of which Ms Siaga is an executive member, is an international NGO that brings its alumni together to foster professional development by organising international alumni meetings, G200 Youth Forums and other events. Through these events, the Association endeavours to create a platform for interaction and to facilitate cooperation on a wide range of day-to-day issues. The overall aim is to represent the independent views and opinions of a new generation of young leaders in resolving the most pressing economic and social problems in the world. The Association’s members include young leaders from some 200 countries, who are successfully building careers in various organisations in both the public and the private sectors. ¾

MAKING BIOPROSPECTING WORK South Africa is one of only Prof Namrita Lall of 17 countries worldwide the Section Medicinal considered mega-diverse in Plant Science in the terms of plant species. It has more than 25 000 different Department of Plant plants or about 10% of all the Science, Faculty known species of plants on of Natural and Earth.

Agricultural Sciences, One such medicinal plant, combines science Ceratonia siliqua, is used in one of the top organic with traditional skincare ranges, Kalahari by knowledge and Carina Franck, an international makes it accessible brand available in Africa and in Europe. Prof Lall has to the modern discovered a number of market by tapping other plants that are effective Prof Namrita Lall at the exhibition of into South Africa’s in treating skin conditions pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical ranging from pigmentation rich pool of plant products developed from phytomedicinal and wrinkles to acne. She research. diversity for is awaiting finalisation of medicinal and permits so that these can also be commercialised. Other products developed cosmeceutical purposes.

The

University hosted an exhibition in April to showcase commercially available products emanating from 12 years’ research by Prof Lall and her students.

Prof Lall has been researching medicinal plants for more than 20 years and succeeded in validating traditional knowledge by utilising science to prove the plants’ efficacy. The huge demand in Europe and industry for plant-based medicines encouraged Prof Lall to further her knowledge with research findings. Although the testing of plants for beneficial properties is often delayed by constraints in terms of resources and time, Prof Lall has successfully completed the process for a number of plants that are now ready for commercialisation. She is the first researcher at UP to have received a bioprospecting permit for two plants she studies that came from UP’s garden.

At present, an estimated 20 000 plant species are used for medicinal purposes and a number of ingredients used in modern medicine to treat serious disease originated from phytomedicine.

by Prof Lall include an effective mouthwash for periodontal disease and chemo-preventative skincare.

Prof Lall explains that plants are selected in one of two ways, namely on the basis of ethno-botany or using phytochemistry. In the ethno-botanical approach, plants traditionally used by indigenous communities for food and medicinal purposes are tested for their medicinal value.

"The phytochemistry approach is where we use existing knowledge about the chemical substances found in specific plants. So, if we know a plant is rich in a specific chemical compound that could be of medicinal or cosmeceutical use, we isolate that compound and run trials to determine its usability," explains Prof Lall.

She puts a high premium on community work.

With her postgraduate students she is involved in a project in the Mamelodi community to help farmers cultivate plants that could be used for medicinal purposes. "The communities where we work are always involved and will benefit from the results once some of these projects become economically viable," she says. ¾

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60 years of Engineering Education

60 YEARS

OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION AT TUKS

1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

School of Engineering

In 1955 the world looked on in amazement as engineering for entertainment came to life with the launch of Disneyland in California. 1955 was also the year when the decision was taken to establish the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Pretoria and in 1956 the first students were registered. This year the Faculty celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Although

by 1920 UP was already presenting lectures in Agricultural Engineering, the need to educate students in other branches of engineering became increasingly apparent. The idea of having a separate Faculty of Engineering at UP was first mooted in the 1930s, but all plans were put on hold with the outbreak of World War II. In 1946, the then Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences investigated the possibility of introducing

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

a few second year courses in engineering as a step towards establishing a faculty.

In 1947, Senate appointed a committee to conduct further research and in 1948, the following announcement was made: 'The Council is in favour of the establishment of a Faculty of Engineering and looks forward to the realisation of this plan, but has decided that at this stage preference has to be given to the consolidation of the existing faculties and that, in view of the considerable cost of such consolidation, the establishment of a Faculty of Engineering will have to be postponed unless new sources of funding were to be allocated specifically for that purpose, making it possible to continue with the establishment of such a Faculty without any disadvantage to the needs of the existing faculties and the extensions to which they were entitled.'

While South Africa was in dire need of engineers, UP continued researching, investigating and planning how best to go about establishing a faculty. The South African Academy for Science and Arts and the Department of Education, Arts and Science conducted research on the projected shortage of engineers the country was facing. The Institute for Civil Engineers backed up this claim, citing UP’s proximity to research centres and industry as additional supporting factors.

continue on p 28

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

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27

1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

It was also felt that the tremendous potential for recruiting engineering students from the large rural Afrikaans population of the northern part of the country (then Transvaal) was largely untapped, as many Afrikaans speakers were reluctant to study engineering in English at the University of the Witwatersrand. On this basis, it was decided that UP was in a good position to open a new faculty to supply engineers for South African industries.

official announcement on the establishment of the faculty was only made during the university recess of December 1955, but arrangements were made to ensure that the project would not be delayed.

There was uncertainty as to whether there would be a second year of study available in 1957, but the intake of students for Mechanical, Civil and Electro-technical Engineering proceeded. With the help of temporary staff, support from Agricultural Engineering and assistance from external bodies for laboratory use, lectures could commence at the start of the 1956 academic year.

In 1959 the first Metallurgical and Chemical Engineering students were admitted. The first students in Industrial Engineering enrolled in 1960, and the first Mining Engineering students in 1962. In 1976 Electronic Engineering was added as a degree programme and in 1999 Computer Engineering was introduced.

The Department of Engineering and Technology Management was founded in 1994 and in 2007 changed its name to the Graduate School of Technology Management.

The Faculty of Engineering enjoys very close The initial cost of establishing a faculty consisting cooperation with industry through the of six departments and accommodating 600 establishment of the Laboratory for Advanced students was high, but the University Council Engineering, which facilitates the availability of approved the budget provided that sufficient the expertise of the academic staff in consulting, funds could be raised. The City Council of Pretoria research and development. This includes the and private donations offering of continuing supplied 50% of the education courses.

In 1956 the first intake of 64 funds required, and a Today these activities engineering students was addressed by government subsidy are coordinated covered the remainder. the Principal, Prof CH Rautenbach, to campus-wide through It was estimated that the Enterprises at University mark the event. faculty could produce of Pretoria. a maximum of 80 In 1994 the first courses with English as medium graduates per annum. The new faculty was set of instruction were introduced in response to a to house the departments of Mechanical, Civil, need identified among students in the Pretoria Electro-technical, Metallurgical, Chemical and region. These English-medium courses were Mining Engineering, with the existing Department initially offered only in Electrical, Electronic, of Agricultural Engineering as the seventh Mechanical and Chemical Engineering. At the department. same time a formal, five-year extended degree It took 34 years since the first Agricultural programme was introduced.

Engineering classes were presented at UP to approve a fully-fledged faculty of engineering. The

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

Since 2001 the nine undergraduate programmes of the School of Engineering have been subject to a five-yearly internationally recognised accreditation process by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Accreditation is granted in terms of prescribed standards of the Washington Accord which is currently used to assess the training of professional engineers in 17 countries across the world, including Australia, India, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. In 2000 restructuring at the University resulted in the establishment of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT). Today, the UP School of Engineering in the EBIT faculty is the largest entity offering degree courses in engineering in South Africa. In 2015 there were 5 734 undergraduate and 2 546 postgraduate enrolments, translating into a total of 8 280 students. In 1969 the first woman obtained the BScEng degree in the Faculty.

In 2015 there were 2 061 registered women students – about 25% of the total number of registered students. The first group of 42 black students enrolled in 1994. In 2015 there were

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

3 606 registered black students – about 44% of the total number of registered students. In 2014, 595 BEng, 503 honours, 203 master’s and 24 doctoral degrees were awarded.

Reflecting on the history of the Faculty, Prof Sunil Maharaj, Dean of EBIT, says: "Today, almost one in three engineers in South Africa are UP graduates.

We have good facilities and do excellent research work. There are strong links between the Faculty and industry. When I first came to UP more than 15 years ago, it already had a reputation for excellence. Being the South African engineering school ranked highest in the top 1% globally is also encouraging. I think one of the things that makes a UP engineering degree prestigious is that the Faculty has always had good academics and support from management, industry and government."

"What sets UP engineers apart from others in the field is the fact that they take pride in their work, are disciplined, think out of the box and solve problems creatively." ¾

Celebrating a legacy The Dean, Prof Sunil Maharaj, addresses guests at the gala dinner.

A gala dinner on 12 March marked the start of the School of Engineering's 60th anniversary celebrations in 2016. Pioneering academics of the former faculty and current stakeholders of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology came together to celebrate a legacy of hope, innovation and change.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Mr Norman Mbazima, CEO of Kumba Iron Ore. He shared the stage with Prof GT van Rooyen who was the first head of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering in 1959, and Prof Jan Malherbe who was the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering from 1989 to 1998. Prof Cheryl de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, addressed

the audience and confirmed that the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology is undoubtedly a flagship faculty of the University.

Prof Sunil Maharaj, Dean of the Faculty, hosted the event and launched a commemorative booklet compiled by Prof Gert Pienaar. The booklet relates the history and achievements of the Faculty, honours the pioneers and inspires the present leaders to continue with their excellent work and contributions towards creating a better future. The University congratulates and salutes the School of Engineering, its staff, students, alumni, industry partners and all other stakeholders! ¾

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60 years of Engineering Education

Women in Engineering + Behind fire and brimstone:

Prof Andrie Garbers-Craig processing, and also investigates refractory materials used in smelters and iron ore agglomeration.

Refractory materials act as heat buffers and conserve energy in a smelting process, she explains. They have a very high melting point, making them able to withstand temperatures up to 1 700 °C and maintain their structural properties during extraction.

They are mostly used in the iron and steel industry, for instance in linings for reactors and incinerators, as well as in the cement, ceramics, chemical and glass industries.

Pyrometallurgy refers to thermal treatment of minerals, ores and concentrates during extraction. A large portion of South Africa"s mineral resources are pyrometallurgically treated to produce commodities such as steel, stainless steel, ferrochrome, copper and platinum group metals.

Platinum

and other valuable metals play a crucial but under-appreciated role in modern society.

Without these metals and the complex processes required to extract and manipulate them, we would not have many of the luxuries we consider indispensable in the modern world.

"Most people are not even aware of how refractory materials assist technology. The use of these materials is closely linked to mineral extraction," says Prof Andrie Garbers-Craig, professor in the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering who heads up the Centre for Pyrometallurgy at the University of Pretoria. Her research improves extraction processes used for platinum group metal

30

Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

"Without these processes and extraction of valuable metals and materials, society would not be as we know it," says Prof Garbers-Craig. "Our lives depend on the availability of everything from electronic components to stainless steel."

The processes involved in extraction offer many interesting challenges for metallurgical engineers.

Prof Garbers-Craig says she has always been mesmerised by the processes and changing nature of minerals during extraction. "Many of these extraction processes, like smelting, are very energy intensive, leaving lots of room for innovation. My work focuses on ways to make extracting these metals more cost effective and reducing the environmental impact."

South African researchers are at the cutting-edge of new developments in mining and extraction processes, she says. Her department does industry-relevant research for mining companies

like Anglo American Platinum, Kumba Iron Ore and ArcelorMittal.

South Africa has more than 80 per cent of the world"s platinum reserves, and is the world's largest producer of platinum group metals.

However, given the recent downturn in commodity prices, the industry is under pressure. "These and other metals are considered indispensable to modern society. We therefore need to find better and more resource-efficient ways to extract them."

Prof Garbers-Craig's work looks at the environmental impact of extraction as most pyrometallurgically processes require huge amounts of energy to sustain the high temperatures at which they take place. The processes also generate a great deal of waste, such as airborne emissions, slag and wastewater.

1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

Women in Engineering +

School of Engineering

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

Prof Andrie Garbers-Craig completed her MS (Metallurgy) in 1989 at MIT, Boston, USA, and completed her PhD in Pyrometallurgy in 1995 at the University of Pretoria. She started her career at Mintek where she was involved in fundamental and applied research in the field, after which she joined ITEC, the research and development section at Iscor Ltd where she was mainly engaged in the study of slag systems and slag-refractory-metal interactions. In 1999 she joined the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology (EBIT).

She also investigates toxic hexavalent chrome ions, known as chromium(VI) or Cr(VI).

Pyrometallurgically wastes, such as stainless steel and ferrochrome plant dust, often contain Cr(VI) and can dissolve in water. ¾

By ScienceLink (sciencelink.co.za)

Ingenieurs verbeter kogleêre inplantings:

Prof Tania Hanekom

Hoewel

kogleêre inplantings reeds duisende gehoorgestremde persone gehelp het om weer te hoor, is hulle nie perfek nie. Die elektriese stroom wat deur ʼn kogleêre inplanting uitgestuur word om die gehoorsenuwee van ʼn gehoorgestremde persoon te stimuleer, veroorsaak soms spiertrekkings in die gesig.

Dit is ʼn indirekte gevolg daarvan dat gesigsenuwees naby die koglea in die skedel geleë is. In sommige gevalle veroorsaak die spesifieke anatomie van die persoon wat die inplanting ontvang dat die stroom na die gesigsenuwees versprei en daardeur onwillekeurige sametrekking van die gesigspiere veroorsaak. Dit kan baie

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60

Women in Engineering +

Women in Engineering +

years of Engineering Education

frustrerend wees vir gebruikers wat hul hoop daarop gevestig het dat hulle weer sal kan hoor sonder om aan moontlike ongewenste neweeffekte te dink.

Gebruikers met dié newe-effek is onder diegene wat in ʼn groot mate sou kon baat by navorsing deur prof Tania Hanekom, ʼn medeprofessor in UP se Departement Elektriese, Elektroniese en Rekenaaringenieurswese. Haar werk het ten doel om persoon-spesifieke rekenaarmodelle van kogleêre inplantings te skep.

Anders as gehoorapparate, wat klank versterk, is kogleêre inplantings elektroniese mediese apparate wat soos beskadigde dele van die binneoor (koglea) funksioneer om klankseine via die kogleêre senuwee na die brein te stuur.

“In essensie maak ons gebruik van ingenieursinstrumente om die funksionering van kogleêre inplantings te ondersoek ten einde by te dra tot hul verbetering,” sê prof Hanekom.

“Dit behels die bou van wiskundige rekenaarmodelle wat ons help om die funksionering van kogleêre inplantingstelsels te verstaan en te beskryf."

“Die gehoorsensasie wat ʼn kogleêre inplanting ontlok, is in ʼn groot mate gebruiker-afhanklik.

RT-skanderings stel ons in staat om 3D elektriese kogleêre modelle van ʼn spesifieke gebruiker se elektries gestimuleerde gehoorstelsel te bou.

Daarmee kan ons binne-in ʼn gebruiker se kop kyk en sien hoe die kogleêre inplanting met sy of haar gehoorsenuwees interageer wanneer ons die manier waarop ons die stimulasie toedien, verander.”

Die digitale modelle wat deur prof Hanekom en haar kollegas in die Departement se bioingenieurswese-navorsingsgroep geskep word, kan in model-voorspelde kartering en modelgebaseerde diagnostiek gebruik word.

Model-voorspelde kartering verwys na die gebruik van modelle om te voorspel hoe ʼn gebruiker se inplanting gekonfigureer en opgestel moet word sonder dat uitgebreide gehoortoetse gedoen hoef te word. Dit is veral van waarde in babas.

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

Model-gebaseerde diagnostiek verwys na die gebruik van skanderings en modelle om verskillende veranderlikes en intervensies te bestudeer ten einde te sien hoe die funksionering van die inplanting verbeter kan word in ʼn gebruiker wat probleme soos die stimulasie van die gesigsenuwees ervaar.

Prof Hanekom beskou haar navorsing oor kogleêre inplantings as slegs een helfte van haar pligte by die Universiteit; die ander helfte is onderrig aan voorgraadse studente.

“Die module oor mikrobeheerders wat ek aanbied, is gebou om ʼn enkele projek, naamlik die bou van klein robotkarretjies,” sê prof Hanekom.

“Studente leer waardevolle praktiese vaardighede oor hoe om met elektroniese toerusting, robotte en mikrobeheerders te werk. Aan die einde van die semester hou ons ʼn Wedrendag wanneer al die robotkarretjies teen mekaar meeding. Verlede jaar het ons meer as ʼn duisend toeskouers gelok – die studente vind dit geweldig opwindend.”

Prof Hanekom het in 2015 die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese, Bou-omgewing en Inligtingtegnologie (IBIT) se Toekenning vir Onderrig en Leer ontvang vir haar baanbrekerswerk in voorgraadse onderrig.

Daarna is sy vereer met die Universiteit se 2014/15 Laureaattoekenning vir Uitnemendheid in Onderrig en Innovasie en die 2015 Nasionale Toekenning vir Uitnemendheid in Onderrig en Leer van die Raad op Hoër Onderwys.

Sy is ʼn provinsiale meestersatleet wat primêr aan die 100 meter en verspring deelneem – "omdat ek vinniger as die studente moet wees!" ¾ Deur ScienceLink (sciencelink.co.za)

As voorgraadse student aan UP het prof Tania Hanekom se finalejaarprojek gefokus op die ontwerp van elektrodes vir kogleêre inplantings. Sy het dié onderwerp verder nagevors tydens haar meesters- en PhDstudies.

Sy was vyf jaar lank ʼn voltydse nagraadse navorser in die Departement totdat sy in 1999 as deeltydse lektor en later as medeprofessor aangestel is.

"Ek was maar altyd hier. Ek het selfs met prof Johan Hanekom, my voorgraadse projekleier, getrou. Ons doen nou al vir meer as 20 jaar saam navorsing as ʼn egpaar."

1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

School of Engineering

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

industry can help provide major pathways to progress."

Turning grey matter green:

Prof Elsabé Kearsley Prof

Kearsley, professor in and former Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at UP, focuses on ways to reduce the environmental impact of cement and concrete used in the building and engineering sector. This involves developing processes to reduce the raw materials used and increasing re-use and recycling of waste materials.

Her research focuses on high-strength concrete, lightweight and foamed concrete mixtures, as well as actual concrete properties.

By optimising the composition and curing regimen of the concrete mix, it is already possible to manufacture concrete with properties and behaviour resembling that of mild steel. This super-strength concrete – about ten times stronger than normal concrete – has many useful applications. "The fact that it does not break up in brittle pieces enables us to reduce the size of structural elements," says Prof Kearsley. "This reduces the weight of building structures and the volume of raw material needed to construct it."

The weight of structures can also be reduced by substituting tiny air bubbles or air voids for the sand and stone normally used as concrete fillers.

Prof Kearsley has pioneered research on the resultant substance, known as foamed concrete.

This light-weight concrete can be used as backfill and building material, and Cement is a bonding offers great possibility 'Modern society cannot operate substance that tightly holds for low-cost housing without engineers providing basic developments in particular. together other materials.

Concrete is a stone-like infrastructure and services.'

Much less of it is needed material formed when during the building process, cement is mixed with cutting costs dramatically. other materials. Both have "At the same time it provides stronger, more been around since ancient times. Her research durable structures that are also fire resistant," uses nanotechnology and chemical processes to she says. It can also be used in mine supports, strengthen these substances. as props manufactured from foamed concrete compress into themselves during tremors, "A combination of new technology, innovation and allowing miners to escape before escape routes efforts to decrease energy used in manufacturing close up. is needed so we can build with greener concrete.

It lasts for a really, really long time so we need to Prof Kearsley also looks at how recycled building make more resource-efficient versions of it," she waste, ash and slag influence cement and says. concrete properties. Fly ash, a high-volume byCement and concrete also have a significant environmental footprint, mostly because of the amount of energy needed to produce and transport these substances. According to Prof Kearsley, the concrete industry's share of global carbon emissions is a massive 8%.

Despite this, it is 'entirely possible' to produce greener versions of it, even with current technology. Given the recent emphasis on improving South Africa's aging infrastructure, Prof Kearsley expects significant increases in the supply of recycled concrete and the demand for better and less resource-intensive concrete. "This

product of coal-fired power generation, offers great potential in this regard. ¾

By ScienceLink (sciencelink.co.za)

Prof Elsabe Kearsley graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pretoria and holds a PhD from the University of Leeds.

After working as a structural engineer both in South Africa and the UK, she joined the University of Pretoria in 1990.

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1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

Deur Joe Meyer BSc Siv Ing Pr

As

Dr Con Fauconnier

the end of 2016, Dr Con Fauconnier will be able to list half a century's experience in the South African mining industry on his CV. Add to this awards like Boss of the Year – presented to him in 2004 for his exceptional leadership – and many would rightly consider him a giant in his field.

Ek het in 1966 aan die Hoërskool Piet Potgieter op Makopane (Potgietersrus) gematrikuleer en in 1968 ‘n vakleerlingskap as elektromeganikus

by Yskor begin omdat ek nie ‘n beurs kon kry om ingenieurswese te studeer nie. Beurse was toe nog baie skaars. Ek maak NTS 3, 4 en 5 klaar by die Pretoria Tegniese Kollege in elektriese en meganiese ingenieurswese.

However, few people realise that the contribution

by Dr Fauconnier to higher education in South Africa, especially at UP, is just as big.

When asked about mining engineers and their future, Dr Fauconnier is relatively optimistic.

"The future of the mining industry in South Africa should be a good one." He explains that by the end of 2016, he will have been in the mining industry for 50 years. He has lived through a number of difficult cycles in the industry. "Cycles come and go, and yes, the current slump is quite deep, but we will come out of it. And then we will need mining engineers again," Dr Fauconnier says. "We need innovation if we want the industry to survive."

Yskor het my toegelaat om na-uurs ingenieurswese te studeer van 1969 af. Die eerste en tweede jaar was elk oor twee jaar versprei en in 1972 maak ek die tweede jaar klaar. In 1974 begin ek voltyds studeer met ‘n Yskorbeurs om my derde en vierde jaar klaar te maak. Aanvanklik het dit goed gegaan, maar toe word my seuntjie, Gerhard, met leukemie gediagnoseer en sy behandeling het baie tyd vereis. Ek het in 1978 klaar gemaak en my gradeplegtigheid was maar hartseer want my seuntjie is in daardie tyd oorlede.

He is convinced that, although it is shrinking at the moment, the impact mines have and will have on the South African economy will remain significant.

"Tuks can be very proud of its EBIT Faculty.

Internationally it is highly rated and regarded."

In 1979 begin ek by Yskor werk as siviele ingenieur en daar het ’n nuwe wêreld vir my oopgegaan. By Yskor Mynbou het ons aan baie interessante projekte gewerk soos die SishenSaldanhaspoorlyn wat toe gebou is. Ons jong ingenieurs is in ‘n ontwikkelingsplan geplaas sodat ons almal professioneel kon registreer binne drie jaar na graduering.

At UP, he has been instrumental in several departmental initiatives, including fundraising to establish new facilities like the Mining Industry Study Centre on the Hatfield Campus. He serves on the advisory boards of both the Department and EBIT and is also a fellow of UP's Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

"I consider it my contribution to give back to society," he says. "The University of Pretoria

34

bosveldkind sou ek nie in my wildste drome kon weet watter verskil die ontwikkeling by die Universiteit van Pretoria se Ingenieursfakulteit in my lewe en loopbaan sou maak nie. In 1978 was ons 94 finalejaars en dit was ‘n voorreg om elke dag met soveel talentvolle klasmaats skouers te skuur.

provided me with a foundation that helped me tremendously later in my life." He says that the opportunity to act as a sounding board, raise funds for the Department of Mining Engineering and provide pro bono work for GIBS are his way of ploughing back into engineering and into the country.

The former CEO of Exxaro Resources Limited and Kumba Resources Limited is an alumnus and honorary professor in the Department of Mining Engineering. He is a registered professional engineer and a fellow of the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, the Mine Ventilation Society of South Africa, the Institute of Directors and the South African Academy of Engineering. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of the Free State. His lifetime of outstanding service to the mining industry has been recognised on numerous occasions by a number of professional organisations.

Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

years of Engineering Education

maak deure oop

for solid foundation

At

60

UP Ingenieursgraad

Mining giant thanks EBIT

School of Engineering

He believes that some collective pride is in order for the wisdom of the University to continually invest in EBIT. "This benefits the country as a whole. The Faculty will remain one of the most important of its kind in South Africa."

"And so, in short, let me say this to congratulate the Faculty: Well done and keep doing it." ¾

By ScienceLink (sciencelink.co.za)

Ek registreer in 1982 professioneel en begin wyd binne Yskor se mynboudepartement werk. Die nuwe Grootegeluk Steenkoolmyn word gebou en in produksie geplaas. Nuwe opgraderings word by al die myne gedoen. Ons het ons uitgeleef in die ingenieurswese en het verskeie toekennings gekry vir die werk wat ons gedoen het. Yskor belê baie

in ons bestuursopleiding en ons doen van die heel beste kursusse, onder andere by UP. In 1983 word ek word aangestel as Senior Projekingenieur en bevorder tot bestuurder van die Siviele Ontwerpkantoor van Mynbou. Vir die tweede en derde fases van Grootegelukmyn se uitbreidings om die Matimba Kragstasie van steenkool te voorsien (14 miljoen ton) word ek in 1989 aangestel as die Senior Siviele Projekingenieur. Hierdie uitbreidings is twee jaar later suksesvol afgehandel.

In Yskor was daar ’n mentorstelsel en oud-Tukkies Johan Deetlefs en dr Con Fauconnier lewer ‘n groot bydrae tot ons ontwikkeling.

Ek maak in 1992 ‘n loopbaanverandering na mynbouingenieurswese en word die volgende jaar aangestel as groefbestuurder by die Sishen Ysterertsmyn. Die hoofbestuurder by Yskor Mynbou, oud-Tukkie Ben Alberts, het my geinspireer om uit te styg.

Ek word bestuurder van die Tshikondeni Steenkoolmyn in die noorde van Limpopo (1995).

Yskor word ontbondel en die mynbougedeelte word Kumba Resources. Baie tyd en geld word spandeer aan senior bestuursopleiding en ons doen kursusse by Tuks, Unisa en in die buiteland.

In 2000 word ek aangestel as mynbestuurder van Thabazimbi Ysterertsmyn en die volgende jaar as hoofbestuurder van die Grootegeluk Steenkoolmyn.

Op ouderdom 59, in 2007, word ek gevra om die verdubbeling van die Grootegelukmyn se produksie te hanteer om 15 miljoen ton steenkool per jaar vir 40 jaar aan Medupi Kragstasie te lewer. Die begroting vir die projek was R12.5 biljoen. Die projek is suksesvol afgehandel en in 2014 aan die myn oorhandig. In dieselfde jaar, op 30 Junie, gaan ek met pensioen.

Dankie Tuks. Baie deure het vir my oopgegaan met julle graad en ontwikkeling agter my naam. ¾

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1958 – 2016

1958 – 2016

School of Engineering

60 years of Engineering Education

Engineer George Mahlangu is a Technical Director at Aurecon, a global engineering, consulting and technical services firm. He works as a project manager in the company's Energy Services Division in Johannesburg. He explains that his career success as project manager was boosted when he turned to the University of Pretoria 'to fill in some of the gaps'. He completed a postgraduate qualification in Project Management at UP. His experience ranges from engineering network planning, the design of low-voltage to high-voltage network distribution, business development and project management of complex greenfield projects, to refurbishment projects.

Aurecon South Africa continues to be involved with UP and the EBIT faculty, most notably in infrastructure development. The company has received numerous South African Property Owners Association Innovative Excellence Awards for the work they did on both the Engineering 3 Building and the Mining

36

Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

years of Engineering Education

Deur Louis Beukes

Ek

is ‘n elektriese ingenieur wat met my ingenieursgraad wat ek aan die Universiteit van Pretoria behaal het, ‘n loopbaan van meer as 39 jaar in die land se spoorwegorganisasies gebou het.

George Mahlangu

Terms

60

UP leer toewyding aan die taak

Energetic engineering keeps the lights on such as 'load shedding' and 'electricity shortages' have become part of the vocabulary of most South Africans. However, for a smaller group of professionals in the country, terms such as 'high voltage', 'connections' or 'substations' refer to their daily engineering or project management duties aimed at keeping the lights on.

School of Engineering

Industry Study Centre. A great number of qualified Aurecon engineers and project managers, spread across 27 countries, are UP alumni.

"When overseeing the whole life cycle of a project, I think it is critical that qualified engineers should act as project managers," George says. "In the field of energy, especially in South Africa with its insufficient infrastructure, the role played by welltrained engineers is very important."

UP shares Mahlangu's view on the importance of energy and the role engineers and researchers can play in finding solutions. Energy is one of the University's Institutional Research Themes (IRTs) that allows UP to support the development of strong multidisciplinary research groups clustered around research identified as important or having high impact.

Mahlangu lauds UP and similar institutions that educate the next generation of engineers for the contribution they continue to make to the country. "We need faculties like EBIT to make a contribution, to bring about change."

He believes that this change may be accelerated if university educated engineers are supported to gain professional experience at an accelerated pace. "The industry as a whole should work towards filling the gap," he says. ¾

By ScienceLink (sciencelink.co.za)

Ek het aan die Hoërskool Port Natal in Durban gematrikuleer en in 1972 by UP vir ‘n graad in Elektriese Ingenieurswese ingeskryf.

Ek wou by UP studeer omdat die Universiteit bekend was vir sy akademiese prestasie in sowel navorsing as die oordra van kundigheid in verskillende ingenieurspraktyke. Profs Heyman en Van Biljon was absolute kundiges op die gebiede van transmissiestelsels (Kabora Bassaprojek) en die ontwikkeling van mikroëlektronika.

Daarbenewens het UP se Skool vir Ingenieurswese ‘n interne progressiewe kultuur van professionele optrede en toewyding aan die taak op hande.

Ek was in Huis Mopani en kan met trots sê ek was Mopani se eerste snoekerkampioen. Benewens die feit dat ek my graad aan Tukkies behaal het, het ek my vrou in 1974 tydens een van die gereelde ingenieurstudietoere ontmoet.

Die graad in Elektriese Ingenieurswese het my nie net ʼn platform van kundigheid gegee om my beursverpligtinge teenoor die Suid Afrikaanse Spoorweë en Hawens/Suid- Afrikaanse Vervoerdienste (SAVD) na te kom nie, maar het vir my die deur oopgemaak na die spoorwegindustrie wat die ekonomie van Suid Afrika vir baie jare in sy groeifase vergesel het. Die vernuwing van sinjaleen telekommunikasiestelsels in die laat 1970’s het my ‘n loopbaan in die spoorwegorganisasies gegee.

My loopbaan het in Johannesburg begin waarna ek vir agt jaar in Nelspruit was en toe, na drie jaar in die navorsingsafdeling van SA Vervoerdienste

se Hoofkantoor in Johannesburg, is ek Kaapstad toe verplaas.

In Kaapstad het ek die oorgang van SAVD na Transnet en later die ontstaan van Metrorail en die Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) meegemaak. Ek het ook in verskeie leierskapen bestuursposisies gefunksioneer, insluitende Streekingenieur: Sinjale, Senior Bestuurder: Infrastruktuurinstandhouding, Senior Bestuurder: PRASA Moderniseringsprojekkantoor en as lid van Spoornet en later Metrorail se uitvoerende streeksbestuurspanne.

Ek het verskeie toegepaste spoorwegingenieursen tegniese kursusse suksesvol by UP voltooi. Die kursusse is deur die Transnet Leerstoel in die Ingenieursfakulteit ondersteun. Ek het ook verder gestudeer by die universiteite van Kaapstad en Stellenbosch en ek het as oud-Tukkie altyd met trots met alumni van die ander universiteite omgegaan.

My loopbaangeleenthede in die Kaap het verder gestrek as slegs suiwer ingenieursbedrywighede.

Ek was deel van verskeie projekte van die Stad Kaapstad en die Wes-Kaapse regering. Ek is tans hoof van die Beplanningskantoor van PRASA se batevervanging- en moderniseringsprogram vir Metrorail in Kaapstad.

Enkele van my ander beroepshoogtepunte die afgelope 39 jaar sluit in spanwerk in die departemente onder my beheer en sertifisering van Metrorail in die Wes-Kaap as ‘n ISO 9001 maatskappy en my rol as projekleier van PRASA se Metrorail batevervanging- en vernuwingsprogram.

Ek het twee keer erkenning van die Instituut vir Sinjaalingenieurs gekry vir die beste referaat gelewer tydens ‘n tegniese vergadering.

Ek is baie bevoorreg dat ek soveel geleenthede oor die jare heen gekry het en alles het begin toe ek in 1972 by Tukkies ingeskryf het. ¾

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the previous Olympic and Commonwealth Games were assisted by UP staff and facilities.

According to a recent review of sports medicine, biokinetics, physiotherapy, exercise and sports sciences, sport psychology, sports law, and sport nutrition at UP, two in every three papers produced between 2011 and 2014 fit into one or more of the Institute’s five main research areas.

Weekend joggers, cyclists also to benefit

The Institute’s activities are already off to a good start. Prof Schwellnus' appointment as director of one of nine International Olympic Committee (IOC) Research Centres opens doors for collaboration between UP and similar centres in the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Qatar, Japan and Australia. The University benefits from existing links with the International Football Federation (FIFA) Medical Committee and the International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS).

Although it has a service and consultancy arm, research is at the core of the Institute's work.

Fifteen postgraduate students are working on projects ranging from promoting safe participation in endurance events, such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour, to reducing the risks of injury and medical complications in distance runners.

By Engela Duvenage

UPTuks athletes such as Chad Herman and Akani Simbine will benefit from the work of the recently established Institute for Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Research.

So,

too, will the UP rugby team and South African athletes at UP's High Performance Centre (hpc) preparing for the Rio Olympic Games. Also to benefit are former coach potatoes Dave and Margie Smith from Vereeniging, who in their late thirties decided to be more health conscious and took up cycling.

People like the Smiths are the reason why 'lifestyle' was quite deliberately and strategically added to the Institute’s name when this multifaceted, interfaculty initiative was announced in December 2015.

The word 'lifestyle' emphasises the fact that there is more to healthy living than just sport and exercise.

It also sets the Institute apart from similar entities at other South African universities.

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" 'Sports' refers to exercise and physical activity, while 'lifestyle' incorporates these aspects along with very important lifestyle factors such as psychosocial issues, nutrition, smoking and alcohol use," explains the Institute's Director, leading sports physician Prof Martin Schwellnus.

"Our research, consultancy work and intervention programmes do not focus on top athletes only, but also aim to make a difference in the lives of ordinary people who need and want to stay fit and healthy," he says.

"Chronic or non-communicable lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer are the single most important current and future health threats to both developed and developing nations. Such diseases might soon become the most common cause of death in South Africa, but can be avoided by making the right lifestyle choices: how much you eat, drink and exercise, and whether you smoke," says Prof Schwellnus.

"At UP we already have clinicians and researchers who are engaged in prevention, diagnosis and management of non-communicable diseases, which

provide a unique opportunity to grow this area into a leading niche research focus," he explains.

Such initiatives will not be restricted to the Sports Campus or UP’s world-class facilities. The Institute has, among others, recently thrown its weight behind the Department of Family Medicine’s Community-orientated Primary Care (COPC) Living Laboratory Research Unit at numerous clinics in the Tshwane district. It will also work alongside various clinical departments at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and other health centres.

Building on existing expertise The Institute is the realisation of one of the four strategic niche areas of research that UP is pursuing over the next decade. Its home base is in the Faculty of Health Sciences, but its influence stretches across various disciplines and faculties.

It is not necessarily a brand-new idea, but rather the logical grouping together of existing formidable research expertise in sports and medicine at UP. The University has a proud culture of participation in sports and excellence as a result of its club structure. In fact, half of South Africa’s medallists at

"It is not only about growing the existing complement of researchers, but also about drawing new ones into the field," says Prof Schwellnus, who is excited about working with recognised academics and clinicians.

Other than its lifestyle-related research, the Institute's endeavours will investigate how to support and enhance the performance of top athletes. Research will also be done on how best to prevent, manage and rehabilitate injuries, medical conditions and illness in professionals, as well as participants in recreational sports, like the Smiths.

Lastly, it is not only about the physical brawn, sweat and muscle of exercise. The paperwork, money, ethics and education involved in activities are also taken into account. To this end, the Institute collaborates with sports law experts about legal issues, doping control and the rules and regulations guiding prescription drugs.

Although still in its infancy, the Institute for Sport, Exercise Medicine and Lifestyle Research is well positioned to improve the health and fitness of professional and recreational athletes alike. ¾

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Professional online development Quest for lifelong learning beyond the classroom

By Enterprises University of Pretoria

Online

learning has arguably been one of the biggest game-changers in higher education in recent years. This kind of change has not been seen in the knowledge access environment – especially in the way that we consume and use information – since the invention of the printing press in the 15th century.

With technology shifting the way we see and experience the world on a daily basis, perhaps the most evident change in the drive for advanced knowledge is the approach to postgraduate studies and professional training.

Unlike yesteryear, today’s professionals require a knowledge base that is as dynamic as their contexts.

They have to configure their own knowledge and skills based on the demands of an ever-changing world of work and the concomitant learning requirements and opportunities.

A growing online demand Today’s dynamic and ambitious professionals appreciate the importance of upskilling specific areas of expertise quickly so that their knowledge base can remain current. It also means that they constantly need easy access to bestpractice industry bodies of knowledge. This is where specialised short courses and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes are increasingly important.

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

Thus, in response to giving new life to further education and professional development through an online environment and possibilities beyond the classroom, the University of Pretoria (UP) has made the shift towards offering accessible opportunities for continuing lifelong learning by consolidating its online learning offerings, also known as professional online development (POD).

Available anywhere, any time The POD concept was launched in 2015 at the Flexible Futures Conference hosted by the VicePrincipal: Academic, Prof Norman Duncan. At the conference, UP showcased its wide range of online and blended learning opportunities under the POD umbrella as one of the key components of how online learning is shaping the new hybrid teaching and learning model at the University.

‘With its grounded history in nurturing and growing professionals to reach their potential, the University now provides a way for them to enjoy the flexibility of online learning while still having access to worldclass knowledge outputs from the University,’ explains Prof Duncan.

Underpinning the hybrid model’s strength of encapsulating real-time engagement, developing hybrid possibilities and meeting an ever-growing demand for online learning, the POD offering includes open education resources (OERs) and various online short courses.

Prof Duncan adds that PODs provide skills development training through intensive, collaborative and focused learning opportunities that are available anywhere, at any time. ‘The online learning environment also optimises participation of global expertise while taking advantage of the lifelong learning interventions presented by experts at UP.’

specialist insights in a much shorter time than traditional teaching and learning formats,’ says Mrs Hermien Dorfling, Executive Manager: Training Solutions at Enterprises University of Pretoria.

Establishing communities of practice

These courses avail professionals and postgraduate students’ access to free resources for learning and assessment or to specialised online learning programmes that include credit-bearing modules, tests or other assessments that can be completed for CPD points.

The University first formalised its professional development offerings in 2000 by means of campus entities such as Continuing Education at UP (CE at UP) (now Enterprises University of Pretoria) and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).

These entities enable continued, specialised training for all to maintain and improve their professional competence, enhance career progression and keep abreast of technological advances and industry practices while complying with professional regulations.

The benefits of this continued pursuit of learning are irrefutable. It brings together professionals in a specific field of interest to create opportunities for networking and collaborative learning across the globe. It also enables the advancement of industryspecific knowledge and skills that can catapult professional success beyond traditional constraints.

Participants in many online and blended learning options feel part of a more tightly knit group with a single common goal: creating a community of practice. This refers to how people (often professional settings) learn through daily social interactions and practices, rather than by focusing on situations intentionally set up.

Interaction and engagement in activities or discussions are part and parcel of the online experience. Communities of practice develop through a shared collection of experiences, stories and best practices to solve problems that are either encountered during learning interventions, set by course presenters or in their respective professional settings.

Building a learning portfolio much quicker ‘PODs are an attractive way to pursue lifelong learning. They present professionals and postgraduate students with an opportunity to gain

‘They can, for instance, select the specific area in which they would like to upskill – let’s say a short course in decoding the Protection of Personal Information Act – instead of completing an entire law degree.’

Enterprises University of Pretoria, for instance, has taken the lead in presenting a comprehensive range of online training courses for both professionals and individuals with the aim of self- or career development. With various online short courses, open online courses (free enrolment for members of the public) and online CPD courses, a full range of PODs can be accessed by enrolling online and completing courses through UP’s online learning platform.

Perfectly positioned for the future Gutenberg’s printing press first spread texts – and thus knowledge – to the masses in an efficient, durable way many centuries ago. Similarly, the impact of finding and sharing information online will ultimately lead to an increase in online courses and training opportunities for a much wider range of people.

As the future of the knowledge drive is aimed at the rapid accumulation of specific technical knowledge and skills, the University is perfectly positioned to offer both world-class postgraduate qualifications and specialised short courses in the quest to prepare students and professionals alike for a range of modern-day professions using contemporary cutting-edge formats.

For more information about the full POD offering and other professional learning interventions presented by UP, visit www.enterprises.up.ac.za/ training-solutions. More information about POD and its link to UP’s hybrid model can be found at www. up.ac.za/teaching-and-learning. ¾

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3

generations

of family footprints at UP

A family history by Dr GVS Turner and A Andreou

harbour town in the 1800s. Sidney was educated at Dale College in King William’s Town and, in 1931, enrolled for his BSc Agriculture degree at TUKS, where he stayed in Kollegehuis men’s residence.

After studying Agriculture for two years, Sidney left the University to work at Standard Bank in order to help pay for his younger brother’s schooling. In 1935 Sidney returned to Tuks enrolling for a degree in Veterinary Science. While at Blazer badge for representing the University, he took part in athletics South African Universities in and captained both the Tuks and South 1937 African Universities athletic teams. In his final year at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, Sidney was Chairman of the Onderstepoort House Committee. At the end of 1938 he graduated as a Sidney Turner veterinarian – one in a class of five. While practising Sidney Turner was born on 29 December 1911 in as a veterinarian, Sidney was an active Rotarian, Port St Johns, where his grandfather had pioneered serving as Club President in Port Shepstone for the establishment and development of the small several years. He was a keen, competent angler and represented Natal in the sport. He was selected to represent South Africa, but could unfortunately not do so owing to work commitments. Sidney died on 12 November 1969 at the age of 58 while still in private practice.

As

a family, Sidney Turner (at UP between 1931 and 1938), his son, Vincent Turner (at UP between 1964 and 1990) and their respective great-grandchildren and grandchildren, Alexandros Andreou (2011 to the present) and Savanna Andreou (2015 to the present) have taken delight in being associated with Tuks for 85 years and have made a meaningful contribution to the University of Pretoria.

Vincent Turner Vincent, the only child of the late Sidney and Natalie Turner, was born on 8 April 1945 in Johannesburg.

Like his father, Vincent attended Dale College and went on to study Veterinary Science at Tuks at Onderstepoort. As a student, he was an accomplished cross-country athlete representing the University of Pretoria and the then Northern Transvaal.

At this stage Veterinary Science classes were restricted to 45 students, with very few women Sidney Turner as a young man and later in the 1960s

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students. In 1967 Vincent graduated at age 22 and joined his father’s practice in Port Shepstone, which he took over after the death of his father in 1969.

Owing to a change in professional interests, he joined the Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1974 as a senior lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Public Health. For the next 16 years, he enjoyed an illustrious academic career during which he was awarded a number of postgraduate qualifications and participated in an intensive research programme. After obtaining a diploma in Veterinary Public Health and the MMed Vet degree at Tuks, Vincent left the University and moved to Texas A&M University where he was appointed as a part-time assistant professor so as to enter their postgraduate programme. While at Texas A&M, he completed the specialist certificate in conjunction with the American College of Preventive Medicine. During this period, Vincent Turner on BVSc graduation Vincent became day in 1968 a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (UK). On completing his PhD degree at Texas A&M at the end of 1982, Vincent returned to Tuks and the Department of Veterinary Public Health where he subsequently became professor and Head of the Department. Recognised as a Veterinary specialist both in South Africa and the United States, Vincent left the University in 1990 to start his private practice as a specialist in udder health and quality milk production, where he still works today.

Certificate for First Place in athletics meeting in 1936 between TUKS and the Athletic Club of Salisbury (Harare, Zimbabwe)

Studies and then went on to do a postgraduate diploma in Museum Science through Tuks, and Museology and Heritage Conservation through the University of Stellenbosch. Alexandros is the Museum Cultural Officer of the University of Pretoria Museums in the Department of UP Arts for 2016, after being the Museum Researcher in 2015 and volunteer in 2014.

He hopes to pursue his MA and DPhil degrees in Museology and to serve UP in an academic capacity on a permanent basis.

Prof Vincent Turner as Head of Department of Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria from 1988

Vincent Turner today

Savanna is in her second year of BCom Marketing and a 2016 recipient of the BankSeta Bursary in Skills Development. After completing her BCom, she hopes to pursue postgraduate studies in education. ¾

Alexandros and Savanna Andreou Vincent’s grandchildren, Alexandros and Savanna Andreou, are also at Tuks now. Alexandros, born in 1992, completed a BA degree in 2013 majoring in Archaeology and Ancient Culture Vincent’s grandchildren, Savanna and Alexandros Andreou

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IN MEMORIAM

Endless career possibilities!

Do you wanna be a vet?

Prof Jan H van der Merwe

Career opportunities

i VET

• • • • • • • • • • •

Private practice Research Academia (Teaching) State Veterinary Services Veterinary public health Industry Diagnostic laboratories Wildlife management Intensive animal production Animal welfare Consultancy services to both the farm animal and pet industries

Prof Jan H van der Merwe, een van Suid-Afrika se bekendste fisici, is op 28 Februarie oorlede. Hy was 92 jaar oud.

Prof Van der Merwe is in Humpata, Angola gebore as die seun van Dorslandtrekkers. Hy het in 1941 Ingenieurswese aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch gestudeer en in 1945 sy MSc in Toegepaste Wiskunde met lof geslaag. In 1946 het hy ’n junior lektor in die Departement Toegepaste Wiskunde by US geword. In 1947 het hy by die Wetenskaplike Nywerheid- en Navorsingsraad (WNNR) in Pretoria begin werk. Met ʼn WNNRbeurs het hy sy PhD in Teoretiese Vastetoestand Fisika onder die leiding van Sir Neville Mott (’n Nobel-laureaat) aan die Bristol-universiteit voltooi.

Vanaf 1953 tot 1964 was hy ’n senior lektor en daarna medeprofessor in die Departement Fisika by UP waar hy ook ʼn MSc in Wiskunde gedoen het. In 1965 is hy na die Universiteit van Port Elizabeth as Hoof van die Departement Toegepaste Wiskunde. Gedurende hierdie tyd het hy vriendskapsbande met ’n Bristol-kollega, prof Frank Nabarro, Hoof van Fisika aan die Universiteit van die Witwatersrand, herbevestig.

In 1969 het hy ’n professoraat in Toegepaste Wiskunde by Unisa aanvaar en in 1972 teruggekeer na UP as Hoof van die Departement en professor in Fisika. Met die vestiging van die

Stigting vir Navorsingsontwikkeling (SNO) was hy een van die eerste groep wetenskaplikes wat gegradeer is en hy het ’n A-gradering ontvang.

Hierdie addisionele navorsingsbefondsing en die prestige van die toekenning het hom in staat gestel om besoekende wetenskaplikes vir langer tydperke te nooi en prof Gary Shiflet van die University of Virginia het ’n vriend en medewerker geword. Na sy verpligte aftrede op die ouderdom van 65 jaar by UP, was hy vanaf 1990 tot 2003 Buitengewone Professor by Unisa se Departement Fisika en van 2004 af was hy ereprofessor in die Departement Fisika by UP. Gedurende die tydperk by UPE, het hy lewenslange vriendskappe met welbekende oppervlakte-wetenskaplikes soos prof Ernst Bauer (Technical University of Clausthal) en prof Ralf Vanselow (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) gesmee.

Benewens twee studieverlof-periodes in 1961 en 1970 by die University of Virginia (waar hy met nog ’n lewenslange vriend, prof Bill Jesser, saamgewerk het), het prof Jan ook lang tydperke as Besoekende Professor by die Technical University of Claustal-Zellerfeld, Duitsland (1981 en 1989), University of Virginia, VSA (1981) en Besoekende Navorser by Kodak Research Labs, Richmond, VSA deurgebring.

Prof Van der Merwe het ’n groot aantal toekennings ontvang waaronder die Havenga-prys vir Fisika (1967) van die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns, die EW Muller-toekenning (University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, VSA), die De Beers Goue Medalje in Fisika (1984), DSc (honoris causa) Universiteit van Suid-Afrika (1984), ’n SAMES-toekenning vir die beste publikasie in die South African Journal of Physics (1987), die Suid- Afrika Orde vir Uitnemende Diens, Klas 1: Goud (1989), DSc (honoris causa) Universiteit van Pretoria (1990), DSc (honoris causa) Universiteit van Port Elizabeth (1994) en ’n Goue Medalje van die Suid-Afrikaanse Vereniging vir die Bevordering van Wetenskap (1998). In 2000 is ’n simposium ter ere van prof Van der Merwe op die 50ste

www.veterinary.up.ac.za vetrecruitment@up.ac.za

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herdenking van sy ontdekking van die Interfacial Dislocations deur die American Society for Metals, Materials and Minerals aangebied. Sy lys van nagraadse studente lees soos die Wie is Wie in Fisika in Suid-Afrika. Sy grootste nalatenskap is sy omvangryke invloed op studente se denkwyse en probleemoplossingsvaardighede. Sy studente, kollegas, vriende, familie en die vakwetenskap Fisika sal hom met deernis mis.

Erkenning: Bydraes deur prof Johan Malherbe en prof Max Braun

Prof Johan Knoetze Prof Johan Knoetze, formerly of the Faculty of Education, passed away on 15 December 2015.

Prof Knoetze started his teaching career as a science teacher at the Pretoria West High School.

After obtaining an Honours degree he was appointed as a researcher at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

Here he developed a keen interest in computer assisted teaching and the use of the computer in education.

He joined the University of Pretoria as a fulltime academic in 1990. He was passionate about the use of technology as an educational tool and was held in high esteem by the many postgraduate students that he supervised to successful completion of their studies. Since 2008 he was associate professor in the Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education.

Chris du Toit Chris du Toit is op ‘n plaas naby Petrus Steyn in die Vrystaat gebore. Hy het aan Lindley Hoërskool gematrikuleer en het ‘n Hoër Onderwysdiplioma aan die Universiteit van Pretoria behaal. Hy het vir tien jaar by Pretoria Boys’ High School skoolgehou voordat ‘n beurs van die British Council hom na Bangor University in Noord-Wallis geneem het

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

waar hy ‘n diploma in Linguistiek verwerf het. Terug in SuidAfrika het hy ‘n BAhonneurs by Tukkies gedoen en vir ‘n paar jaar aan UP klas gegee.

Chris du Toit

Hy was bekend as akteur, regisseur en draaiboekskrywer.

Sy bekendste films was Sien jou môre, Die Vlindervanger en Boland. Hy het ‘n kinderboek geskryf, Madiba, the story of Nelson Mandela (Actua Press) wat reeds in sy sewende druk is.

Die Departement van Onderwys het die boek voorgeskryf vir gebruik in skole. Chris du Toit is op 9 Maart 2016 aan ‘n hartaanval oorlede. Hy was 82 jaar oud.

Prof Duncan Baker PrEng, SciNat, Fellow IEEE, Fellow SAIEE, Hon Member Russian Popov Society

Prof Duncan Baker, a former lecturer at the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology passed away on 12 March 2016. He obtained an MSc in Physics at Rhodes University. Between 1961 and 1963 he worked with the South African National Antarctic Expedition (SANAE) as an ionosphericist and was on the maiden voyage of the first Antarctic supply ship. He headed ionospheric research at the National Institute for Telecommunications Research (NITR) at the CSIR from 1969. In 1982 he moved to the University of Pretoria until his retirement in 2003. He continued to serve his community as a City Councillor for the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Pretoria. ¾ (Source: http://ieee.org.za/obituary-duncan-baker-1938-2016)

Empowering professionals through targeted training and skills Our online Training Solutions provide you with intensive, collaborative and focused learning development solutions. opportunities that you can access anywhere, at any time. Presented as part of the University of

Shift to lifelong learning online wherever you are.

Pretoria’s Professional Online Development (PODs) offering, not even the sky is the limit.

More than 500 career-focused short courses across 20 fields of industry.

Online courses

Free online courses

Online CPD

Scheduled courses | Online courses | CPD courses | Customised courses

Shifting knowledge to insight

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Universiteit van Pretoria | University of Pretoria | Yunibesithi ya Pretoria

enterprises.up.ac.za/pods