NDABA NOVEMBER 2009.pmd - University of KwaZulu-Natal

Volume 6 Number 11 November 2009
Winner of the 2008 Institute for Marketing, Advancement & Communication in Education (MACE) Excellence Award for Best Internal Publication
Shaping Institutional Research
Conversations
aimed at interrogating
Institutional
Research (IR)
began at a University
Teaching and Learning
(UTLO) Symposium at the Howard
College campus on 23 October
attended by academics across the
spectrum of disciplines.
Presenters included UKZN’s Mr
Glen Barnes, Director: Division of
Management Information; Ms Ruth
Searle, Director: Centre for Higher
Education Studies; Professor
Michael Samuel, Dean: Faculty of
Education; and Professor Yusef
Waghid, Dean: Faculty of Education
at the University of Stellenbosch.
Dr Rubby Dhunpath, a Director at
the Teaching and Learning Office
and chair of the Symposium said
that the event was part of a process
of demystifying Institutional
Research and mapping an Institutional
Research agenda to tackle
the many imperatives facing universities
such as student exclusions,
throughput and dropout rates, some
of which are at unsustainable
levels. He said that IR was an
attempt to transcend the silo-effect
of disciplinary research and
develop macro-level insights into
institutions.
Ms Searle underlined the importance
of IR not just for strategic
planning, institutional management,
and policy development but
to gain greater understanding of
University communities – students,
staff and graduates. Such insights
should feed into teaching and
learning practices, as well as
enabling a better understanding of
the institutional ethos.
Professor Samuel used an innovative
approach to identify
enduring themes and emerging
trends in IR across universities
around the country and internationally.
His analysis of the
content of accredited local and
international journals revealed a
range of institutional concerns,
including pedagogical, sociological,
political, methodological,
(l-r) Mr Glen Barnes, Director of Data Management and Information; Dr Rubby Dhunpath, Director of Projects at
the UTLO; Ms Ruth Searle, Director of the Centre for Higher Education Studies; Professor Renuka Vithal, Deputy
Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning; Professor Michael Samuel, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Professor
Yusef Waghid, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Stellenbosch.
management and policy concerns.
He emphasised the possibilities for
inter/intra institutional collaboration
and research on issues of
common concern.
Professor Waghid, who is the editor
of the South African Journal of
Higher Education, alluded to the
paradox of IR: the tendency for
universities (driven by a performative
culture) to do IR for some
utilitarian purpose and in the
process, produce outcomes rather
than ideas. Within this culture, he
said, “we play the performative
game and abdicate our obligation
to critique”. This, he said was
“disinterested research” which did
not serve the public good and could
not be defended as legitimate
research in Higher Education.
- Neesha Maharaj
Picture: Neesha Maharaj
Picture: Kevin Joseph
UKZN scoops MACE Awards
UKZN received five Excellence
Awards at the Marketing, Advancement
and Communication in Education
(MACE) Annual Con-
ference held at the Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University (NMMU)
in Port Elizabeth from 28-30
October.
The UKZN delegation at the MACE Conference celebrates the University’s Excellence Awards.
The donor magazine Development
Brief won the award for best
external publication while
ukzndaba and the UKZN website
were runners-up in the Internal
Publications and Website categories.
The Rorke’s Drift/
Isandlwana Education Development
Project an initiative of the
UKZN Foundation, the David
Rattray Foundation and the University’s
Centre for the Advancement
of Science and Mathematics
Education (CASME) was a runnerup
in the Community Development
Project category. Pro-Vice-
Chancellor: Corporate Relations
Professor Dasarath Chetty received
an Excellence Award for outstanding
leadership of the marketing
advancement and communications
community.
Inside
2 ‘Beautiful research’ 5 Engineering ingenuity 6 UKZN achievers 8
MACE seeks to advance marketing
and communication within universities
and FET (Further Education
and Training) Colleges.
Conference delegates were exposed
to an eclectic programme presented
by seasoned journalists, e-
Marketing specialists, fundraisers,
and student development experts.
In his keynote address Professor
Chika Sehoole, the Chief Director
of Higher Education Policy
Development Support at the
Department of Higher Education
and Training stressed the importance
of the further empowerment
of FET Colleges, Sector Education
and Training Authorities (SETAs)
and Higher Education institutions
to skill school leavers.
- Neesha Maharaj
Surprise visitors
Founding
Campuses Edgewood Howard College Medical School Pietermaritzburg Westville

Picture: MaryAnn Francis
‘Beautiful research’
Dr Thavendran Govender
from the School of
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
at UKZN delivered a public
lecture on 28 October on the
advantages of multidisciplinary
collaboration on research projects.
Dr Govender is one of the four
project leaders in the GGKM
research group. The group is a
multi-disciplinary team of biochemists,
organic chemists,
inorganic chemists and pharmaceutical
chemists at UKZN. It was
founded in January 2007 and
focuses on creating the next generation
of scientists in Africa. Its
research focuses on the design,
synthesis and evaluation of compounds
targeting HIV, XDR TB,
cancer, Type II Diabetes,
Alzheimer’s disease and
asymmetric catalysis.
In his lecture, Dr Govender said
that collaborating with experts
from the various fields creates
“beautiful research” which can be
turned into a profit for the University.
The GGKM group through
its various collaborative projects is
committed to finding cures for all
the diseases in their current projects.
The group has already identified
patentable compounds for
HIV, XDR TB and cancer. The
success of the HIV project is
attributed to the multi-disciplinary
approach of synthetic chemistry,
biochemistry, computational
chemistry and biophysics. The
project on cancer was made possible
with collaborators in organic
chemistry, inorganic chemistry and
biochemistry.
Dr Govender cited the XDR TB
project as a good example of how
Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Professor Sabiha Essack and Dr
Thavendran Govender.
far a drug discovery project can be
realized at UKZN. In this project,
compounds were designed,
synthesised and evaluated for
biological activity through
collaboration between medical
scientists, pharmacologists and
chemists. The best compounds
have now been completed and
animal toxicology testing done.
Future projects include Peptides
For Africa, which is a collaboration
between the Schools of Pharmacy
and Pharmacology and Chemistry
at UKZN. The group is producing
peptides at half the price of their
nearest competitor. The second is
a project with the South African
Biotyper Laboratories where the
groups aims to provide same-day
biotyping of micro organisms. The
third project is through the South
African Proteonics Platform
whereby all micro organisms passing
through hospitals will be
monitored. In this way, specific
strains can be observed and hopefully
prevented before an outbreak.
Dr Govender concluded by
encouraging the audience to engage
in multi-disciplinary projects.
“Multi-disciplinary projects …
need not be scary but seen as an
exciting journey that we
researchers were born to take,” he
said.
Dr Govender began his career in
1995 at the former University of
Durban-Westville where he studied
for a BSc degree, majoring in
Chemistry and Biochemistry. He
went on to obtain Honours, Masters
and PhD degrees in the fields of
novel cage amino acids and chiral
macrocycles.
- MaryAnn Francis
Visit from Malaysian
university
Professor Datuk Zabid Abdul Razak, President of the University of Tun Abdul
in Malaysia with Professor Dasarath Chetty, Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Corporate
Relations.
A MALAYSIAN delegation from the University of Tun Abdul Razak in
Kuala Lumpur visited UKZN on 20 October to explore collaboration in
the area of entrepreneurship and leadership.
President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Zabid Abdul Rashid
accompanied by Mr Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, Company Secretary
and Mr C K Karan met with Pro-Vice-Chancellor: Corporate Relations,
Professor Dasarath Chetty to discuss the establishment of linkages that
would be mutually beneficial to both institutions. The representatives
shared ideas of “a responsive education system” which met Malaysia’s
economic and societal needs.
“We pride ourselves in being a university which inculcates social
entrepreneurship in resolving society’s problems, thus creating economic
opportunities for poverty stricken citizens… When developing an
education programme we look at the market needs of the programme
and draw on the expertise of industry players who inform us of their
expansion plans so that our graduates are absorbed into the respective
industry,” said Professor Zabid.
He said he looked forward to establishing collaborative research and
academic programmes that would be mutually beneficial in the disciplines
of Management, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Information
Technology and Hospitality.
- Neesha Maharaj
Picture: Neesha Maharaj
Making dreams
come true
TWELVE-year-old Miss
Portia Vayo has a dream to
study medicine at the Nelson
R Mandela School of
Medicine so the Reach for a
Dream Foundation made it
possible for her to visit the
Faculty with her mother and
brother.
Ms Charissa Jaganath, a
volunteer worker from the
Foundation and a current
UKZN masters student in
Environmental Studies,
accompanied them.
Miss Vayo, who stays in Port
Elizabeth, suffers from Type
1 Diabetes, which is a
chronic disease that occurs
when the pancreas does not
produce enough insulin to
control blood sugar levels.
Type 1 Diabetes can occur at
any age but is most often
diagnosed in children,
adolescents or young adults.
Currently in Grade 6, Miss
Vayo has thought about
becoming a doctor for many
years. Having spent quite a
lot of time in hospital
undergoing treatment, she is
determined to learn the skills
of a medical practitioner in
order to treat illnesses.
She was fortunate to sit in a
second-year class lecture on
needle stick injuries and the
prevention of HIV. After the
lecture, Miss Vayo accompanied
the students to the
Skills Laboratory for demonstrations
on the various
sharps, sharps containers,
testing of blood samples and
(l-r) Ms Charissa Jaganath, Mrs Pamela Vayo, Mr Siyanda Vayo and Ms
Portia Vayo.
preventative measures conducted
by Dr Dan Govender.
Mr Dumisane Nobetsiki, a
final year student at the
Medical School who also
hails from the Eastern Cape,
gave Miss Vayo some sound
advice: “Never let go of your
dreams, always persevere,
study hard and make sure
your family values are not
lost when you’re so far from
home.”
- MaryAnn Francis
Picture: MaryAnn Francis
2

Picture: Supplied
“Give back to society”
The MEC for Finance in
KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs Ina
Cronjé, has appealed to
Economics and Finance students at
UKZN to use their wisdom to help
build the nation.
“As finance and economic students
you have knowledge and information
that can help so many
people to live better lives. I urge
you to move the knowledge from
your computers to ordinary people.
It will certainly improve people’s
lives when they have a better
understanding of financial management,”
she said.
Mrs Cronjé was a guest speaker at
an awards ceremony hosted on the
Pietermaritzburg campus by the
School of Economics and Finance
in the Faculty of Management
Studies. The School honoured 32
students who performed exception-
ally in individual modules and
courses this year.
Mrs Cronjé applauded UKZN for
celebrating excellence. “We have
come to the end of the academic
year. This is the time when most
schools review their progress and
deserving students are rewarded for
their hard work.”
The MEC encouraged the students
to give something back to society.
“You can choose to take from
society or to give to society.”
Mrs Cronjé said the Provincial
Treasury department and other
government departments needed
graduates with analytical skills.
“The most successful people are
eternal students. It is crucial that
we maintain a broad perspective
and willingness to expand our
knowledge and experience.
“I am confident that we have a new
cohort of researchers, innovators
and entrepreneurs in the making.
They will be the ones to drive our
future economic success or
failure.”
Head of the School of Economics
and Finance, Professor Trevor
Jones, said it was important that
schools reward high performing
students. “Rewarding excellence is
something UKZN takes very
seriously.”
The event was supported by the
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Treasury, the Pietermaritzburg
Chamber of Commerce represented
by its CEO, Mr Andrew
Layman, the UKZN Scholarships
Office and the School of Economics
and Finance.
- Thembeka Dlungwane
MEC for Finance in KwaZulu-Natal, Mrs Ina Cronjé (centre) celebrated excellence with the School of Economics
and Finance on the Pietermaritzburg campus.
Award for Inina
Inina’s Manger, Mrs Thandazile Magubane (left), receives the KZN Emerging
Exporter of the Year Award from Durban Chamber of Commerce and
Industry CEO, Ms Gugu Mazibuko.
THE Inina Craft Agency, a ‘living
laboratory’ through which UKZN’s
Centre for Environment, Agriculture
and Development (CEAD)
and partners are exploring best
practice in rural enterprise development,
has received the KZN
Emerging Exporter of the Year
Award. The award ceremony was
hosted by the Durban Chamber of
Commerce and Industry at the ICC
on 30 October. A delighted Mrs
Thandazile Magubane, Inina’s
manager, was on hand to collect the
Award and certificate from Durban
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry Chief Executive Officer,
Ms Gugu Mazibuko.
Inina (which, in isiZulu, is a term
of endearment for a group of
women) was established in 2005
with support from the University.
It is a trading co-operative comprising
over 150 rural women from
the Eshowe area. Through a formal
business training and mentorship
programme, Inina is prospering and
enjoying significant recognition. In
2008 its sales exceeded R 1.5
million and it was, with UKZN, a
winner of the International Partnership
Network’s Global Best Award.
It currently exports to Canada, the
USA, France and Reunion Island,
and is negotiating a multi-million
rand order for Holland. Its products
range from handmade paper products
to fibre-based conference bags
and contemporary and traditional
beadwork (see www.-inina.-co.za).
The lessons learnt from working
with Inina have been captured in a
handbook published by CEAD.
The handbook has been well
received both nationally and internationally.
So impressed is the Ford
Foundation with what has emerged,
that it has agreed to provide further
funding.
The focus of the work going
forward is to continue to support
and learn from Inina, to develop a
detailed best practice guide on rural
craft enterprise development, and
to conduct a needs analysis of 12
craft centres in KwaZulu-Natal.
Subject to further funding it is the
intention to mentor these centres so
they might emulate Inina’s success.
- Vicky Crookes
Picture: Supplied
SA-German Lecture Series
THE 3 rd South African-German
lecture series was held recently at
the Nelson R Mandela School of
Medicine.
Hosted by the German Exchange
Service DAAD, it focused on HIV
and related infectious diseases with
discussions and presentations on
current research as well as clinical
applications in Southern Africa.
The director of CAPRISA and
chair of the Scientific and Technical
Advisory Group of the World
Health Organisation’s Department
of Reproductive Health and
Research, Professor Salim Abdool
Karim, was UKZN’s speaker and
a member of the panel discussion.
In his presentation: Microbicide
Trials: Current and Future Strategies,
Professor Abdool Karim
discussed the need for microbicides
as a preventative measure
for HIV. He also discussed the
(l-r) Mr Lukas Kaizer, DAAD Project Co-ordinator; Professor Axel Rethwilm, University of Wurzburg; Professor
Wolfgang Preiser, University of Stellenbosch; Professor Salim Abdool Karim, UKZN; Professor Martin Grobusch,
University of the Witwatersrand and Dr Ralf Hermann, Head of DAAD Information Centre.
clinical history of microbicide gels
and future strategies. “In South
Africa, the HIV epidemic continues
to grow especially amongst girls in
the age group of 15-25. Preventative
strategies that empower
women are essential,” said Professor
Abdool Karim.
The HPTN 035 trial has produced
groundbreaking results which
indicate that PRO 2000 micro-
Picture: MaryAnn Francis
bicide gel may prevent 30 percent
of HIV infections in women. Interestingly,
for those women with low
condom usage and high gel usage
a 78 percent reduction in HIV was
attained. The results of the Microbicide
Development Program PRO
2000 trial are awaited. Currently,
the CAPRISA 004 trial is underway
which will test the safety and
efficacy of microbicide one percent
Tenofovir gel for the prevention of
HIV infection in women in South
Africa. Professor Abdool Karim
concluded: “A women-controlled
HIV prevention method could alter
the epidemic course of HIV in
Africa.”
Other speakers at the lecture
included Professor Axel Rethwilm
from the Institute for Virology and
Immunology at the University of
Wurzburg, Germany; Professor
Wolfgang Preiser, Head of the
Department of Medical Virology at
the University of Stellenbosch and
NHLS Tygerberg and Professor
Martin Grobusch, Head of the
Infectious Diseases Unit at the
University of the Witwatersrand.
- MaryAnn Francis
3

Research Symposium
Aspiring health scientists
from six South African
universities who descended
on UKZN to present
research findings at the Pfizer-
UKZN College of Health Sciences
Young Scientists Research Symposium
have received high praise
from adjudicators for “unique”,
topical research.
Fifteen presentations were made by
teams from six of South Africa’s
Higher Education institutions in
community, laboratory and clinical
categories. The annual event platforms
the research of young health
scientists from universities around
South Africa with the aim being to
highlight research pertinent to
health care in South Africa.
UKZN fared well in the communitybased
category with Ms Jade
Robinson and her team from the
Discipline of Occupational
Therapy bagging an award for
research on: The Inclusion of
Sexuality in Rehabilitation of
Spinal Cord Injured - Exploring the
Woman’s Perspective. Their presentation
provided a fresh perspective
in an under-researched
area of sexuality.
Both the clinical and laboratory
categories were won by the University
of the Witwatersrand for
research titled: Correlation of
Intra-operative fine-needle
aspirate cytology of the pancreas
with formal histology by YE
Haffejee, and A lentiviral delivery
system based on micro MA expression
mimics for targeted inhibition
of Hepatitis B virus replication
in cultured cells by D Ivacik.
Adjudicator, Dr Jenny Smit, Head
of the Reproductive Health and
HIV Research Unit at the University
of the Witwatersrand, praised
students for their attention to
ethical procedures, consultation of
previous literature and posing new
relevant questions in conducting
their research.
“I have to commend you in
selecting unique topics. Overall
your presentations were of excellent
quality and you have made new
and valuable contributions to
research and are our future research
leaders,” said Dr Smit.
Speaking on clinical presentations,
Professor Bilkish Cassim said she
was impressed by the quality of
research presentations which
reflected on health care relevant to
South Africa. She congratulated
students on their good presentation
styles and producing new knowledge
on interesting topics.
Professor William Carr commended
students for “innovative
and creative” laboratory-based
research presentations.
“I’m impressed by students for
their frank dialogue on both the
positive aspects of their research
and shortcomings. Scientific
research is about innovation and
creativity and you have proved this
with your presentations here
today,” said Professor Carr.
Prior to the presentations, students
were inspired by talks delivered by
eminent scientists, Professor Salim
Abdool Karim, Pro-Vice-
Chancellor of Research at UKZN
and Professor Mino Caira, the
Director of the Centre for Supramolecular
Chemistry Research at
the University of Cape Town.
Professor Abdool Karim encouraged
young scientists not to
“downgrade” themselves by simply
repeating research already investigated
by other researchers. He
advised students to look at existing
knowledge and think of unique
questions to generate new research.
“Young minds have the ability to
make new decisions in completely
different ways. Sometimes you may
be successful and other times not.
As you read journals think of new
questions you would want to ask.
Don’t be afraid of this. Failing is
the path of the process to success,”
added Professor Abdool Karim.
With South Africa facing a multitude
of daunting medical challenges
in diverse diseases, keynote
speaker, Professor Caira based his
address on the role and responsibilities
of health scientists in their
research endeavours.
“To retain a sense of balance and
perspective, as health scientists we
have to convince ourselves that
there’s a positive side among these
challenges,” said Professor Caira
who stressed the importance of
adhering to high ethical standards
while researching specific areas of
research.
An adept researcher, according to
Professor Caira, would have
mastered the relevant discipline,
have a passion for the discipline
and insist on maintaining high
standards in research.
“A researcher must have an indepth
understanding of their
discipline. A superficial understanding
is a recipe for disaster.
Both practical and theoretical
knowledge is paramount, especially
if a researcher will eventually
head research teams.”
Professor Caira said it was mentally
exhilarating making new research
discoveries. The greatest personal
reward for research was the thrill
of discovery and publication of
findings.
Dean of the Faculty of Health
Sciences, Professor Sabiha Essack,
who encouraged young scientists to
pursue a career in research, said she
was impressed by the diverse topics
“at the cutting edge of new
developments and eminently
relevant to the South African and
African healthcare contexts” presented
at the Symposium.
Responding to UKZN scooping the
award for best community based
research, Professor Essack said:
“The Occupational Therapy group
undertook an excellent and welldesigned
qualitative research
project on a topic that is not as well
researched as it should be in terms
of the holistic rehabilitation of
patients with spinal cord injuries.
We are very proud to have UKZN
feature so prominently at national
level.”
- Neesha Maharaj
Women
hone
publications
skills
Participants in the workshop for women researchers.
WOMEN researchers at UKZN keen on building their research
profiles through publication attended a follow-up workshop
organised by the University’s Research Office on 9 November at
the Graduate School of Business.
The Workshop titled: Women and Academia: Publication Challenges
and Strategies, was the second in a series of planned
workshops by the Dean of Research, Professor Cheryl Potgieter
focusing on the authoring of journal articles aimed at increasing
the publication output of women researchers at UKZN.
Academics who recently obtained and are currently reading for
their PhDs were presented with an opportunity to voice their
concerns and achievements in publishing their research in peer
reviewed journals. Senior academics, Professors Sabiha Essack,
the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Theresa Coetzer,
Discipline Chair and Academic Co-ordinator of the Discipline of
Biochemistry; Gert Kruger of the School of Chemistry and
Programme Director for Gender Studies at the School of Religion
and Theology and winner of the UKZN Book Prize Dr Sarojini
Nadar provided an insight into specific writing styles for peerreviewed
journals. The Head of UKZN Libraries, Dr Nora
Buchanan and Ms Rani Govender informed participants of digital
technology at their disposal for carrying out scholarly research.
Dr Nadar emphasised the importance of the interdisciplinary nature
of research.
Both she and Professor Potgieter agreed that interdisciplinary
collaboration, conceptualisation of an idea in writing an academic
article and the methodology adopted in writing an article for a
peer-reviewed article were important considerations.
Ms Logie Govender, a Lecturer at the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynaecology at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine
described the workshops as “stimulating” sessions which had helped
her produce a medical textbook which is in the process of
publication.
Picture: Neesha Maharaj
Ms Bulie Magula, a Lecturer in Internal Medicine said the numerous
teaching, administration and service learning responsibilities she
has taken on over the years has left limited time to focus on
publishing research. “These workshops have made me dedicate
time to prioritise my research and publication goals,” she said.
Picture: Neesha Maharaj
From left: Professor Sabiha Essack, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKZN; Ms D Ivacik, University of the
Witwatersrand; Ms Jade Robinson, UKZN; Mr YE Haffejee, University of the Witwatersrand; and Professor Leana
Uys, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and and Head of the College of Health Sciences.
Mrs Charlotte Engelbrecht, a Lecturer at the School of Nursing
said it was helpful relating to a group of women in certain areas of
research.
“The workshops present a space where one feels safe and motivated
to stay in the writing process and map out a clear route in your
academic path,” said Mrs Engelbrecht.
- Neesha Maharaj
4

Picture: MaryAnn Francis
New Deputy Dean
Professor Joyce Tsoka
Gwegweni has been appointed
the new Deputy
Dean of the Nelson R Mandela
School of Medicine. Fresh from
Parliament where she served as
Content Advisor to the Portfolio
Committee on Health, Professor
Tsoka Gwegweni said that she’s
excited to join the Medical School
and looks forward to playing a
significant role in the transformation
of the Faculty.
Born in Daveyton on the East
Rand, Professor Tsoka Gwegweni,
studied for a BSc in Biological
Sciences in Reading University,
UK. She completed an Honours
Degree in Biological Sciences and
then returned to South Africa to
study for an MSc in Medical
Parasitology at the former University
of Natal. She joined the
Professor Joyce Tsoka Gwegweni.
Medical Research Council (MRC)
where she worked as a senior
scientist and later as a research
manager.
Professor Tsoka Gwegweni
obtained a Masters Degree in
Public Health through the University
of the Western Cape and a
PhD specialising in Health Systems
Research through UKZN. More
recently, she graduated with an
honours degree in psychology
through UNISA.
Part of Professor Tsoka Gwegweni’s
job description is the restructuring
of the Faculty of Medicine into four
Schools and the strengthening of
the existing relationship with the
Department of Health (DOH). She
hopes to find time for research and
to continue to publish in the field
of public health. Married to
Nicholas and mum to a teenage
son, Professor Tsoka Gwegweni is
an avid reader and loves to travel.
Professor Tsoka Gwegweni said, “I
am excited to return to the UKZN
community. In my first week in
office, I’ve noticed that the Medical
School is a very busy place. Much
has to be done to build relationships
amongst staff and the DOH
and I look forward to the challenges
of my position”.
- MaryAnn Francis
Chemical
Engineering
Conference
UKZN’s Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, South African Research
Chair in Fluorine Process Engineering and Separation Technology,
recently led a large team of his chemical engineering postgraduate
students to the South African Chemical Engineering Conference
in Somerset West.
The 18-strong Research Chair delegation presented a total of 20
papers – by far the largest number of papers presented by any one
delegation.
“We made a massive contribution at the conference with almost 15
percent of all papers presented being by our group. I believe this is
truly noteworthy and emphasises the contribution of my Chair in
terms of chemical engineering in the country,” said Professor
Ramjugernath.
Professor Ramjugernath and his team of students actively contribute
to the Government’s Fluorine Research Expansion Initiative (FEI)
by researching and developing South Africa’s fluorinated products.
Their activities are integral to the development of a fluorochemicals
industry in the country and are directly linked with the Nuclear
Energy Corporation of South Africa and SASOL.
Director of UKZN’s Thermodynamics Research Unit and Professor
of Chemical Engineering, Professor Ramjugernath has a publication
record of over 180 journal and conference papers and has graduated
nearly 50 Masters and PhD students.
- Vicky Crookes
Breaking new ground
THE critical shortage of masters and PhD graduates in Engineering
hampers South Africa’s growth academically and professionally, believes
Professor Cristina Trois the only woman to head a school of engineering
at UKZN. She was appointed to lead the School of Civil Engineering,
Surveying and Construction in January.
The burden of administrative duties a head of school takes on has not
hindered Professor Trois’s research endeavours and she continues to
participate in research programmes supported by the National Research
Foundation and the eThekwini Municipality. She supervises 14 masters
and PhD students who are working on Zero Waste projects aimed at
reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere through sustainable waste
management practice and wastewater treatment.
Since becoming Deputy Head in 2008 and now Head, Professor Trois
has made considerable in-roads in course development.
She actively contributed towards achieving full accreditation for the Civil Engineering Programme by the
Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) in 2008, thanks to the concerted and co-ordinated effort of all
the Civil Engineering Programme staff and of the former Head of School, Professor Derek Stretch. Two other
programmes, Land Surveying and Property Development also received full accreditation in 2009. High on her
agenda has been fostering collegiality among staff and students.
As Head of School a priority for Professor Trois has been addressing the challenge of staff shortages. Her
vision for the School over the next three years includes: enhancing mutual synergies and strengths among the
three programmes in the School to ensure high standards in teaching and research; achieving stability and
sustainability in staffing; promoting excellence in research scholarship by increasing the postgraduate intake
to at least 30 percent of the undergraduate intake; and strengthening and expanding industry support.
Passionate about Environmental Engineering, Professor Trois has attempted to promote research and scholarship
in this field which has proven a challenge due to some “opposition” from the engineering fraternity in South
Africa who do not appreciate the importance of higher engineering degrees. A Postgraduate Programme on
Environmental Engineering devised by Professor Trois has seen large numbers of students graduate. Sadly,
though, most of the graduates are not South Africans.
- Neesha Maharaj
Showcasing ingenuity
UKZN’s School of Mechanical
Engineering was a hive of
activity as it celebrated its 2009
Open Day on the Howard College
campus.
An annual event dedicated to
showcasing Mechanical Engineering
final-year students’
design and research projects, the
Open Day is a culmination of a
nine-month period of intense
team work.
Students work together in
groups of four and are evaluated
by external judges in terms of
the outcomes required by the
Engineering Council of South
Africa. They employ a range of
skills including problem solving, professional and technical communication, application of scientific
and engineering knowledge, creativity and engineering design.
Out of a total of 24 projects, involving approximately 75 students, first, second and third place prizes
were awarded as well as ones for Best Display, Best Poster and Most Innovative.
First prize was awarded to one of Professor Glen Bright’s project teams which devised a modular tool
changing unit for reconfigurable machines. This tool is fully automated, easily adaptable and self
calibrated, allowing for the mass production of custom products.
Second and third place prizes went to a high voltage power line tensioning device and a solar dryer
system for drying agricultural and marine products.
The Research and Design Projects form a significant part of students’ final year assessment and ultimately
test their ability to survive as design engineers once they graduate.
- Vicky Crookes
Professor Cristina Trois.
Mechanical Engineering’s Open Day first placed prize winners from left:
Mr Seffat Chowdhury, Mr Wesley Stephen, Mr Michael Rodger and Mr
Jean-Pierre Olivier.
Picture: Vicky Crookes
Picture: Supplied
5

UKZN achievers
Picture: Neesha Maharaj
Picture: Vicky Crookes
Plaudits for biomedical research
Ground-breaking research
and the leadership skills
of staff at UKZN’s Biomedical
Resource Unit (BRU)
were recognised by the South
African Association for Laboratory
Animal Science (SAALAS) at its
2009 Congress in Durban.
Dr Sanil Singh, Manager of the
BRU, was re-elected President of
SAALAS and Animal Technologist,
Ms Linda Bester, received an award
for initiating an international
technique in toxicity testing.
Ms Bester’s research paper titled:
A Review of the Isolated Chicken
Eye (ICE) Test: An alternative to
first line toxicity testing, secured the
Best Technical Research Presentation
award for improving the
Draize Rabbit eye test in toxicity
evaluation by using isolated chicken
eyes obtained from an abattoir
instead of laboratory animals.
She was trained by Mr Menk
Prinsen from the Netherlands
Organisation for Applied Scientific
Research in 2008.
According to Ms Bester, the ICE
test aimed to seek more “humane
methodology” in the execution of
animal trials and provided an
Dr Sanil Singh and Ms Linda Bester.
WESTVILLE-BASED Chemistry
student, Ms Nqobile Xaba, can
alternative in the toxic evaluations
of experimental products.
“The technique has not been introduced
in South Africa yet. It is
internationally accepted as a good
alternative and that was the comment
received (from adjudicators).
Using the biomaterial of animals
from abattoirs is ethically more
acceptable and reduces the animal
numbers needed to plan an extensive
project because less toxicity
information is available on novel
substances,” said Ms Bester.
Ms Bester, who is currently
working on her PhD in Health
Sciences, is a National Research
Foundation (NRF) grant holder and
is a SAALAS executive member.
Dr Singh, one of four veterinarians
in the country working in the field
of Laboratory Animal Science, was
first appointed President of
SAALAS in 2007 at its Congress
in Cape Town and was re-elected
this year after the Association’s
Executive Committee decided he
was the ideal candidate to lead the
organisation.
“I was hoping to stand down and
allow new blood to be appointed.
However, the Executive felt that I
was the best person at this point to
move SAALAS forward nationally
and internationally for the next two
years,” said Dr Singh.
Immediate plans for Laboratory
Animal Science in South Africa
include the development of preclinical
testing among practitioners
and facilitating bilateral relations
with the Laboratory Animal
Science Association of India.
Dr Singh’s accomplishments while
serving as SAALAS President
since 2007 include the organisation
of conferences aimed at advancing
the field of Animal Laboratory
Sciences and securing government
and private sector sponsorship for
the organisation’s growth.
“My role as a veterinarian is to
ensure the ethical use of animals in
a very important area of Biomedical
Sciences which benefits
both man and animals.”
Dr Singh was the Head of the
KwaZulu-Natal branch of the
South African Veterinary Association
(SAVA) in 2006 and served
as a Board member of the KZN
Sharks Board from 2006 to 2008.
- Neesha Maharaj
Chemistry student on the move
Ms Nqobile Xaba with a book award
she received for academic performance
at one of the School of
Chemistry’s prize-giving ceremonies.
look forward to an overseas trip at
the beginning of 2010 as one of
only 15 South African students
selected to attend a
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) training
programme in the United Kingdom.
Ms Xaba will attend the GSK
Residential Chemistry Open Week
Conference at the company’s
Medicines Research Centre in
Surrey. The experience will afford
her the opportunity to gain insight
into the workings of a multinational
research-based pharmaceutical
company. She will be allowed to
visit the laboratories and discover
first-hand the research that goes
into manufacturing medicine for
diseases such at Tuberculosis and
HIV/Aids.
A Women in Science, Engineering
and Agriculture (WOSA) Scholarship
recipient, Ms Xaba views her
upcoming involvement with GSK
as an opportunity of a lifetime. “I
am very thrilled about this whole
training experience and I think it is
a good opportunity for me to gain
experience in what is really
happening out there and the application
of chemistry in real world
problems,” she said.
- Vicky Crookes
Book on food insecurity
A UKZN academic and an honorary
professor have co-edited and
published a book that focuses on
and addresses food insecurity in the
Umbumbulu community, south of
Durban.
The book, titled: Does Food
Security Improve When Small-
Holders Access a Niche Market
Lessons from the Embo Community
in South Africa, is edited by the
Academic Programme Co-ordinator
from the African Centre for Food
Security, Professor Sheryl Hendriks,
and Professor Michael C Lyne.
The book presents the results of a
food security research project
funded by the Ford Foundation.
Professors Hendriks and Lyne said
the study focused on members of
the Ezemvelo Farmers Organisation
(EFO), who in 2002 became
South Africa’s first group of smallscale
farmers to achieve organic
certification. The idea behind the
book was to move academic
inquiry into the hands of policy
makers, decision makers and practitioners.
“The research found that organic
production was an attractive option
for growers and that it improved
food security through increased
production, higher incomes and
more diverse and nutritious diets.
These gains were achieved despite
the unusual problems that constrain
agriculture in South Africa’s communal
areas,” said Professor
Hendriks
Professors Hendriks and Lyne said
their research found that institutional
and contractual flaws undermined
the sustainability of the EFO
and left it dependent on external
financial and technical support.
“The researchers learnt that the
problem of food security has production,
consumption, marketing,
economic, institutional and social
dimensions and that they benefitted
from working in a team that in-
THE Discipline of Microbiology at
the Westville campus hosted the
22 nd Annual Symposium of the
South African Society for
Microbiology at which BScHons
students from UKZN and the
University of Zululand as well as
4 th year BTech students from DUT
presented their research project
findings.
More than 160 delegates attended
while 74 oral presentations were
given. The guest speaker was Dr
Musa Mhlanga of the Council for
cluded academics and students
from seven disciplines. Collectively,
their studies provide a rich
picture of the problem and relationships
between its various dimensions,”
said Professor Hendriks.
The book has been distributed to a
range of interested organisations,
institutions and libraries throughout
South Africa
“The Centre’s postgraduate students
were so inspired by the book
that they proposed a second book
based on the current cohort’s
research projects. A proposal has
been submitted for funding a text
titled: Changing Dynamics: New
Paradigms and Approaches for
Sub-Saharan Africa Food Security
Following the Global Food
Crisis,” said Professor Hendriks.
The collection of papers would
focus on solutions to hunger and
poverty in Africa with special
reference to implementation of the
Comprehensive African Agriculture
Programme’s Framework
for African Food Security that the
Centre is actively engaged in.
Additional copies of the book are
available free of charge from the
African Centre for Food Security
offices at UKZN’s Pietermaritzburg
campus. For further information
telephone (033) 260 5708
or acfs@ ukzn.ac.za
- Article Supplied
Microbiology Symposium
Scientific and Industrial Research
(CSIR) who gave an interesting
plenary lecture titled: Decrypting
gene expression: from genomewide
to single molecules.
Four UKZN students won prizes
for the best oral presentations. They
were: Ms Karin Pretorius, Ms
Pervashni Padayachee and Mr Nick
Chadwick from the Westville
campus and Ms Karis Moxley from
the Pietermaritzburg campus.
- Article Supplied
6

UKZN achievers
International award
for AIDS research
Internationally respected UKZN
scientist and academic,
Professor Salim Abdool
Karim, was recently awarded the
prestigious TWAS Prize in Medical
Sciences for his exceptional and
distinguished contributions in
medicine and public health, specifically
for HIV prevention and
treatment.
TWAS is ‘The Academy of
Sciences of the Developing World’
that is still referred to by the
acronym of its original name, the
‘Third World Academy of
Sciences’. TWAS prizes, which
include a cheque for US$15 000,
are awarded to individual scientists
in developing countries in recognition
of outstanding contributions
to science and the creation of new
knowledge. Professor Abdool
Karim, who heads the Centre for
the AIDS Programme of Research
in South Africa (CAPRISA), at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal
received the prize at the Opening
Ceremony of the TWAS 11 th
General Conference and 20 th
General Meeting held at the ICC
in Durban recently.
The October issue of the South
African Journal of Science explains
that, “TWAS is by far the largest
and most significant individualbased,
multi-national science
Professor Salim Abdool Karim.
academy. It is built on the core
notion of a distinguished club of
eminent scholars drawn from over
70 developing countries…TWAS
has evolved into perhaps the
strongest and best articulated voice
of developing countries, and
arguably, of truly global science, as
it serves four-fifths of the world’s
population. In this vast space it
plays an inspirational function in
awarding prestigious prizes and
medals.”
This year’s recipient for medical
sciences, Professor Abdool Karim
is a world renowned clinical infectious
diseases epidemiologist who
has developed new approaches to
treating TB and HIV co-infection
and led the recent breakthroughs in
Picture: Supplied
the development and testing of
PRO2000, a microbicide gel to
prevent HIV infection. Commenting
on the award, Dr Sharon
Hillier of the international Microbicide
Trials Network, commended
Professor Abdool Karim for his
“unwavering determination, compassionate
drive, keen intellect, and
skillful leadership.”
“I am honoured to have been
chosen. This award is important
recognition for research on HIV
prevention especially as we’ve
experienced several scientific
setbacks recently,” said Professor
Abdool Karim.
After completing this medical
degree in Durban in 1983,
Professor Abdool Karim went to
study in New York and London
before returning to Durban in 1990
to complete his doctoral degree at
the University of Natal. He subsequently
became Deputy Vice-
Chancellor for Research at the
University of Natal. He is also
Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
at the Mailman School of Public
Health at Columbia University; and
Adjunct Professor of Medicine at
the Weill Medical College of
Cornell University in New York.
- Xoliswa Zulu
USA study visit
ORGANIC farming specialist and
Senior Lecturer Dr Joyce Chitja
recently spent three weeks in the
USA, where she was based at the
University of Califonia.
Dr Chitja is based at the Africa
Centre for Food Security within the
School of Agricultural Sciences
and Agri-business. In the US, she
visited organic farming specialists
who have been leaders in the field
for over 45 years.
The trip was prompted by her
concern about the way our country
and others produce food. She feels
that it is not sustainable.
“Our food systems should be socially, environmental and economically
sustainable if future generations are taken into consideration,” she said.
During her visit, Dr Chitja had an opportunity to interact with the Deans,
Lecturers and other stakeholders at the University of Califonia.
One thing that impressed Dr Chitja was the teaching philosophy at the
Santa Cruz Campus where teaching and practical learning was very
evident at the undergraduate level.
She feels targeted support should be given to small scale farmers and
that partnerships are critical.
“I believe academic institutions, government and the private sector should
together play a role in making sure that the small farmers get the support
and skills they need. As researchers our research findings should be able
to help government to deliver.”
During her visit, Dr Chitja gave a presentation on small-scale farming,
organic farming and food systems. She is grateful for the support of her
Head of School, Dean, and the University Dean of Research.
- Sabelo Nyuswa
Dr Joyce Chitja.
Picture: Sabelo Nyuswa
Promoting research
AUTHOR and researcher are just
a few of the caps worn by UKZN’s
Administrative Officer (Information,
Management and Marketing)
in the Research Office, Mr
Thando Mgqolozana.
Mr Mgqolozana (26), who is highly
respected in literary circles for his
debut novel titled: A Man Who Is
Not A Man, published by UKZN
Press this year, has been described
as “scarily eloquent and intense
considering his age”.
Mr Mgqolozana, who assumed his
position almost a month ago, said
he was looking forward to positively
contributing to the Unit.
“The Deputy Vice-Chancellor,
Professor Nelson Ijumba and the
Dean of Research, Professor
Cheryl Potgieter, are trying to
ensure that the office provides
research support both internally
and externally. They needed someone
who would manage the
research office data base and
promote visibility and presence
within the University community
and in the global arena, while also
stamping it’s authority as the
premier University of African
Scholarship within the continent
through research,” said Mr
Mgqolozana.
“Universities are rated in the world,
in Africa and in South Africa and
UKZN is amongst the top five
locally and continentally. Part of
the rating process is measured by a
university’s electronic presence.
The amount of research documents
accessible on the net are also
assessed and a university’s web-site
accessibility is also assessed.
“Part of my job is to promote the
visibility and presence of the
University on the net and if I do
that, I would’ve accomplished a lot.
But my duties are not all administrative
and technical but involve
strategic leadership in research
management and development.”
Mr Mgqolozana, who has contributed
to various publications, said
he would apply the knowledge and
expertise he has gained over the
years to catapult the Research Unit
to greater heights through its
publications.
“I would like to form a link with
research institutes and subscribe to
research websites and facilities to
promote UKZN’s research initiatives.
I would also like to structure
our website in a way that will be
easy for people to navigate and for
it to be user friendly. A new feature
on the website will be a news
section that will include current and
updated information,” said Mr
Mgqolozana.
“I believe that the University
environment is the best environment
for me. It’s what I know and
understand best and it will also
accommodate my professional and
creative side. Besides being here
for work, I also want to advance
my scholarship, with Professor
Potgieter as my mentor. It will be
an exciting new start as UKZN is
up there with the best in the country
and the continent,” he said.
Mr Mgqolozana, who has previously
worked at the Human
Sciences Research Council
(HSRC) and the Department of
Social Development in the Western
Cape, holds a B Cur degree from
the University of the Western Cape.
He was a recipient of the Mandela
Rhodes Scholarship in 2006 being
elected on the basis of commitment
to academic excellence, reconciliation,
leadership and social
Mr Thando Mgqolozana.
entrepreneurship. Apart from his
first book, Mgqolozana has also
contributed a chapter on the monograph
titled Skills Shortage in
South Africa: case of key professions;
and is the co-author of
Nursing in a New Era, both published
by the HSRC Press, 2009.
- Article and picture: Supplied
7

Students promote CCMS
Students from the Centre for
Communication, Media and
Society (CCMS), are producing
a publication aimed at
promoting the Centre’s research
and development work.
The publication, SUBtext, is distributed
to 25 000 UKZN alumni,
students, staff and other organisations.
Miss Caitlin Watson.
Mr Nicolaas Kroone.
Editor Miss Caitlin Watson and
sub-editor Mr Nicolaas Kroone say
they have gained immense
experience and exposure since their
involvement with the publication.
Although the first issue of the
publication was printed in the early
1990s, the latest issue was published
in August this year with the
purpose of informing both staff and
students about the work done at
CCMS and promoting the Centre
to potential students, said Mr
Kroone.
“We have a large reach and have
external readers from across the
world who enjoy our publications.
The publication is also for CCMS
students – it’s a way to gain
experience and recognition for
hard work,” he said.
Miss Watson, who has always had
a keen interest in writing and
editing, said when she heard
SUBtext would be published again,
she was the first in line to sign up
to be part of the dynamic team.
“SUBtext is there to show communications
departments from
universities nationally and internationally
what CCMS has to offer;
the types of research which are
conducted from this department, as
well as the lighter, more social side
of CCMS, and that the University
is about making connections, both
academically and socially,” said
Miss Watson.
Both Miss Watson and Mr Kroone
said they hoped that SUBtext would
grow in leaps and bounds.
“SUBtext has sparked some ideas
for the future. Hopefully these will
catch on and grow. Sadly I will not
be able to be involved in the future
as my student time is up and I need
to apply what I have learnt over the
past four years to the outside
world,” said Mr Kroone.
Miss Watson, who echoed Mr
Kroone’s sentiments, said: “I hope
that by early next year SUBtext is a
well known publication on campus
and that it grows in size so that the
fantastic research and work which
originates from this department
gains increasing recognition from
the rest of the University.”
Director of the CCMS, Professor
Keyan Tomaselli, said SUBtext
provided an opportunity for CCMS
students to develop professional
skills-based expertise in publishing
which boosted their portfolio when
they moved on from their studies
into the world of work. “It highlights
the Centre’s engagement with
sponsors’ projects in community
health education.”
- Article and pictures: Supplied
SIFE reaches
World Cup semi
finals
UKZN’s Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) took part in the SIFE
World Cup competition in Germany in October.
Forty teams from all over the world participated in the World Cup.
SIFE UKZN which was representing South Africa lost to Germany
in the semi finals.
“The 2009 World Cup was a wonderful experience for all the
members of the team. We are deeply humbled by the recognition
this team has attracted for both the University and South Africa.
We are proud that from our continuous international exposure, the
SIFE UKZN projects are continuously improving and benchmarked
against our international counterparts. We would like to thank all
our sponsors for making it possible for us,” said Mr Stanley
Sakupwanya, SIFE Public Relations Officer.
This year SIFE UKZN pursued 22 projects and six of these were
presented at the SIFE national competitions and at the World Cup.
SIFE UKZN has represented South Africa three times, and reached
the semi finals on all three occasions.
The Egyptian team was crowned the 2009 SIFE World Champions
at the end of the competition.
- Sabelo Nyuswa
A surprise visit
UKZN horticulturalist Mr Kevin Crampton and his team got the surprise of their lives when they stumbled
upon these four beautiful Grey Crowned Cranes on the Howard College sports fields in mid-October.
Grey Crowned Cranes are not only a most unlikely species in suburbia but their numbers are dwindling
in the rest of the country, severely threatened by habitat destruction and urbanisation. Cranes are known
to follow the spring rains in search of food and the good rains of late may have contributed to their
unexpected visit. This is a real treat for the UKZN Conservancy, adding another species to its growing
bird list.
- Article and picture: Supplied
Grey Crowned Cranes on the Howard College campus sports fields.
Recycle your ukzndaba
Please don’t litter ... when you’ve finished with your
ukzndaba, why not pass it on to someone else, or place
it in a bin for recycling with other paper-waste.
The ukzndaba Dasarath Chetty Smita Maharaj Deanne Collins Thembeka Dlungwane Neesha Maharaj Sabelo Nyuswa Vidhya Singh
team: Pro-Vice-Chancellor Director: Communications Publications Manager Journalist Journalist Journalist Layout & Design
8
Produced by Corporate Relations ● www.ukzn.ac.za ● Tel: 031 260 1245/8668/2957/7115 ● Fax: 031 260 2813