Message fromPr<strong>of</strong> Neil Heideman (left) (Vice-Dean <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Faculty <strong>of</strong> Natural and Agricultural Sciences and Chairperson <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> FacultyResearch Committee), and Pr<strong>of</strong> Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty <strong>of</strong> Natural and Agricultural Sciences).The Faculty continued to roll out its equipmentand laboratory strategy. This comprises <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>creation <strong>of</strong> an environment that supportsresearchers and lecturers so that <strong>the</strong>y can conduct<strong>the</strong>ir work to <strong>the</strong> best <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ability. Under thisstrategy, an agreement was reached with Shimadsuto <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> approximately R7 million, accordingto which <strong>the</strong>y provided equipment to <strong>the</strong> Faculty ata substantial discount. This agreement is valid forthree years, and all equipment will be replaced, atno cost, by new updated replicas.The Department <strong>of</strong> Computer Science and In formaticsreceived a sophisticated device which registerseye fasciations <strong>of</strong> computer users. The Eye Trackerdetermines <strong>the</strong> exact point on <strong>the</strong> computer screen104
Natural and Agricultural Sciences<strong>the</strong> Dean: Pr<strong>of</strong> Herman van Schalkwykthat a user is looking at and will be applied to studyuser interaction with computer programmes. The<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Free</strong> <strong>State</strong> (UFS) is <strong>the</strong> first tertiaryinstitution in Africa that boasts such a device.The biggest construction contract in <strong>the</strong> history<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> UFS, to <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> R40 million, was begun.The contract comprises <strong>the</strong> external modernising,refurbishment and extension <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ChemistryBuilding. A number <strong>of</strong> initiatives have led to <strong>the</strong>Department <strong>of</strong> Chemistry being recognised as one<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> leading departments in <strong>the</strong> country. Apparatusand equipment to <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> R20 millionwas purchased, including one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most advancednuclear magnetic resonance apparatuses in Africa,one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> most advanced single crystal x-raydiffractometre in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn hemisphere, and adifferential scanning calorie metre, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mostadvanced in <strong>the</strong> world. The Department is supportedthrough a strategic partnership with Sasol involvingsubstantial investments from <strong>the</strong> biggest researchand development company in <strong>the</strong> country.Under <strong>the</strong> leadership <strong>of</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong> Leon van Rensburg<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Soil, Crop and ClimateSciences, <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> has become one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firstinstitutions in <strong>the</strong> world to mechanise in-field rainwater harvesting. With this technique water ischannelled to <strong>the</strong> plant to limit drought risks and toincrease crops. This technique could be <strong>of</strong> greatbenefit to farmers, specifically those in semi-aridregions.R13.7 million was awarded to <strong>the</strong> Department<strong>of</strong> Microbial, Biochemistry and Food Biotechnologyfor research on prehistoric organisms. This contractwas awarded by BioPAD, a South African biotechnologycompany that negotiates partnershipsbetween researchers, entrepreneurs, businesses,<strong>the</strong> government and o<strong>the</strong>r role players, to promoteinnovation and develop sustainable biotechnologicalbusinesses. The contract comprises <strong>the</strong> establishment<strong>of</strong> a Platform for Metagenomics – a techniquewhich enables researchers to extract DNA frommicrobes in <strong>the</strong>ir natural habitat and to fur<strong>the</strong>rinvestigate it in <strong>the</strong>ir laboratories. The project issupported by <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong> Science andTechnology and <strong>the</strong> National Research Foundation,which contributed towards <strong>the</strong> scholarships <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>17 postgraduate students on <strong>the</strong> programme.A project at <strong>the</strong> Centre for Plant HealthManagement (CePHMa) received <strong>the</strong> Technologyaward for 2007 from <strong>the</strong> National Department <strong>of</strong>Trade and Industry at <strong>the</strong> Nelson MandelaMetropolitan <strong>University</strong> in Port Elizabeth. The awardgives recognition to pioneer research that wasconducted by <strong>the</strong> UFS on kenaf, a South Africancommercial fibre crop that is used, amongst o<strong>the</strong>rthings, in <strong>the</strong> motor industry. The research wasinitiated six years ago in collaboration with <strong>the</strong> Britishcompany Sustainable Projects Development Group.Currently it is continued by <strong>the</strong> South Africancompany Sustainable Fibre Solutions.Three groups <strong>of</strong> students from <strong>the</strong> Department <strong>of</strong>Architecture participated and excelled in <strong>the</strong> nationalDes Baker competition. What distinguished <strong>the</strong>irparticipation was that <strong>the</strong>y were to look at <strong>the</strong> specificneeds <strong>of</strong> buildings <strong>of</strong> local communities. The project wasalso to be a catalyst for community development. Thestudents could execute <strong>the</strong>ir projects in a practical105
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