Report 05/06
Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
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Issued by: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of the Free State Editorial committee Lacea Loader Leonie Bolleurs Language revision Nanette Lötter Revision of bibliographical data Mercia Coetzee Layout and cover design Chrysalis advertising and publishing Photographers Gerhard Louw Stephen Collett Printing Print 24 The Afrikaans version is also available on a compact disc from the dean's office or on the university's website at www.ufs.ac.za. Cover page: Aspects of natural and agricultural sciences.
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Contact details Dean Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk +27 51 401 2535 [email protected] Vice-Dean Prof. Neil Heideman +27 51 401 3855 [email protected] Office of the Dean Ms Lorinda Rust +27 51 401 2322 [email protected] Faculty Manager Ms Corné Havemann +27 51 401 2490 [email protected] Liaison Mr Nelis Maeder +27 51 401 2531 [email protected] Physical address of the office of the Dean Room 9A, Biology Building, Main Campus, Bloemfontein Postal address University of the Free State PO Box 339 Bloemfontein South Africa 9300 Fax +27 51 401 3728 Faculty website www.ufs.ac.za
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Preface
From the Dean’s office
T
he Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) leads the way in the practising of natural and agricultural sciences in South Africa and the highest levels of quality and credibility are reflected. Our commitment, however, reaches far beyond just this. It reaches beyond the borders of the country and across continents; its multidisciplinary and practical approach is vested in all the disciplines presented by the faculty. In 2005/06 the Faculty experienced significant growth in measurable outputs. A contributing factor was the comprehensive apparatus strategy and plan which was implemented in 2005. With this strategy, university funds were used to leverage other funds in order to obtain huge discounts from suppliers of apparatus. In this way the faculty managed to obtained almost R50 million worth of apparatus in 2005. The strategy was continued in 2006 when an agreement to the value of R7 542 531 was reached with Shimadzu, according to which apparatus was supplied to the faculty at discount prices. The agreement, which is valid for three years, entails the free replacement of apparatus which is purchased during this period with upgraded versions. The new apparatus forms part of the UFS vision to compete internationally with quality research outputs in certain niche areas, to provide leadership in advanced training to students from the African continent and to establish the university as a leader among South African universities. Two researchers with a B rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF) were also appointed. Both of these initiatives bore fruit and in 2006 the faculty increased its total research outputs by
Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk.
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about 13%. As an example, the Department of Chemistry’s outputs increased by 100%. The faculty has been bursting at the seams over the past couple of years. Student figures rose from 3 935 undergraduate, postgraduate and occasional students in 2005, to 4 224 in 2006. There is also strong representivity of students from other African countries and in 2005/06 almost 600 students studied at the faculty. An extended B.Sc. programme has been presented to students since 2005. The programme aims at providing students who do not comply with all the requirements for the B.Sc. programme with the necessary substructure to complete the B.Sc. degree successfully. A preliminary evaluation of the results indicates that the programme is delivering the desired results. The alignment of the Qwaqwa Campus, which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2003, remains a challenge. Regular discussions are held with staff on the campus in order to make the faculty’s programmes more sustainable and to align it with the broader strategic plan of the UFS. On a national level, the faculty is in the process of making its mark in terms of teaching and community service. In 2005 the faculty again actively began utilising its
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experimental farms. A three-way agreement between the UFS, the National Farmers Union (NAFU) and the Mangaung Local Municipality led to the establishment of the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre on the Sydenham Experimental Farm. The centre provides training and mentorship to small-scale upcoming farmers. To be dynamic and progressive requires innovative thinking. It requires commitment and a desire to deliver excellent teaching and learning opportunities to students. It requires a willingness to form partnerships, and a multi-disciplinary and practical approach to the tertiary education environment in South Africa. This report covers the faculty’s activities in 2005/06. It is a reflection of two years’ commitment on the part of a team of skilled and motivated academics and support staff.
Prof. Herman van Schalkwyk Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences University of the Free State
Centre for
Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
Overview
T
he Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development was established in 1994 by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in order to offer postgraduate training with a multi-disciplinary approach by means of distance education, and to undertake research with a view to the development and maintenance of sustainable agricultural production systems. The programme offered by the centre enables students to obtain a master’s degree in Sustainable Agriculture (MSA). The UFS is the only university of its kind in Africa to offer this qualification.
“This is the most popular postgraduate agricultural study programme in Southern Africa.” Prof. Izak Groenewald.
As a result of the method of presentation, which entails distance education on a modular basis, the programme is very popular among local and international students. In addition to students from virtually all of the countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), students from Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Denmark, Kenya and Ethiopia have completed the programme over the past few years. Students come from all sectors of the agricultural milieu, including, inter alia, commercial and small farmers, as well as employees of the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), agricultural co-operatives or industrial institutions such as mining firms involved in the re-establishment of agricultural activities on their exploited grounds. Graduates can either apply their skills directly, for their own personal advantage, or engage in research and comprehensive activities in the domain of their employers or with private consultative enterprises. Because the socio-economic environment of the farming industry is in a constant state of change, new skills and knowledge must continually be acquired in order to cope with the challenges of tomorrow in a sustainable manner. The programme develops students’ technological, managerial and thinking skills in the agricultural industry, with a view to protecting natural resources, especially in respect of the endangered semi-arid areas. New modules were developed during 2005/06, in order to adjust to the requirements of agriculturalists in respect to the format of part-
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“The UFS is the only university of its kind in Africa to offer a masters degree in Sustainable Agriculture.” time agricultural training. This led to the development and implementation of new modules within various focus areas, namely sustainable plant and animal production systems, agri-business management, the adding of value, marketing and rural development. In 2005, 48 students were selected for the programme. The student intake of 2006 once again confirmed the relevance of the programme, with approximately 50 students being selected from amongst more than 100 candidates. There were applicants from various SADC countries, such as Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and Botswana, as well as other African countries, including Ethiopia.
A highlight of the year 2005 occurred when Dr Aldo Stroebel became the centre’s first Ph.D. graduate. Dr Stroebel’s research focused on the role of stock farming among rural communities in the northern region of the Limpopo Province. The research linked up with similar studies that he had conducted in a group context in Kenya, in collaboration with researchers from Cornell University in the United States of America (USA). Several scientific publications resulted from his research.
Collaboration with the following institutions has been established and maintained in various ways: National University of Lesotho University of Namibia University of Virginia, USA Cornell University, USA Royal Agricultural College, UK Imperial College London, Wye Campus Dronten Professional Agricultural University, Netherlands University of Wageningen, The Netherlands
Children in the Vhembe district of the Limpopo Province. The photo was taken during a research project which lead to Dr Aldo Stroebel’s Ph.D.
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“The year 2006 was characterised by the recognition of notable scientists and researchers as professors extraordinary.”
Attending the inaugural lecture of Prof. Edward Nesamvuni, Professor Extraordinary at the centre are, from the left: Proff. Izak Groenewald, Director of the centre, Nesamvuni, Neil Heideman, Vice-Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS and Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS.
In 2005 Prof. Izak Groenewald, Director of the centre, was appointed to the editorial staff of the Journal for Sustainable Agriculture, an internationally recognised scientific journal. The congress of the European Association for Animal Production (EAAP) was held in 2005 at Bled, Slovenia. During the congress, Prof. Groenewald delivered a paper on new tendencies in food provision for stock in rural areas. The year 2006 was characterised by the recognition of notable scientists and researchers as professors extraordinary in the centre. Proff. Alice Pell of Cornell University in the USA and Edward Nesamvuni, formerly of the University of Venda but currently director in the Department of Agriculture, were honoured in this way.
In front of the Main Building of the Royal Agricultural College for Science and Technology in the United Kingdom are, from the left: Dr Stephen Chadd, Prof. Izak Groenewald, Director of the centre and Dr Richard Baines. Drs Chadd and Baines are from the Royal Agricultural College for Science and Technology.
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A threefold collaboration partnership was established between the University of Venda, the University of Cornell in the USA and the UFS. It was later expanded to include the Department of Agriculture in the Limpopo Province. The nature of collaboration involves the identification of research opportunities, the creation of funding possibilities and the conducting of joint projects. Furthermore, a visit was paid to the Royal Agricultural College for Science and Technology, as well as to the Wye Campus of the Imperial College London, both in the UK. These institutions offer similar learning programmes to the one at the UFS, and existing course contents and new ideas were exchanged.
The graduation ceremony of the first Ph.D. student of the centre. From the left, are: Prof. Alice Pell, Cornell University, USA, Dr Aldo Stroebel, graduate, proff. Frans Swanepoel, Director: Research Development at the UFS and Izak Groenewald, Director of the centre. Proff. Pell and Swanepoel were the co-promoters and Groenewald was the promoter.
Academic staff Director: Prof. Izak Groenewald Professors Extraordinary: Proff. Frans Swanepoel, Edward Nesamvuni, Alice Pell Contractual Professor: Prof. Kobus Laubscher Senior Researchers: Drs Aldo Stroebel, Florence Nherera Programme Co-ordinator: Ms Mia Kirsten
Contact details Prof. Izak Groenewald Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development University of the Free State PO Box 339 Bloemfontein South Africa 9300 Telephone: +27 51 401 2163 Fax: +27 (0)86 642 8991 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ufs.ac.za/censard
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Statistical data of the faculty
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Student figures Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, 2005/06 Male 2005
Student nationallity
Description
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
Nationality
Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional
676 351 84
31 22 3
26 15 4
724 400 17
1457 788 108
Angola
Total 2005
1111
56
45
1141
2353
2006
Description
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional
729 385 68
28 21 2
21 16 2
768 431 23
1546 853 95
Total 2006
1182
51
39
1222
2494
Female 2005
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
563 206 101
41 16 5
11 11 2
394 221 11
1009 454 119
Total 2005
870
62
24
626
1582
2006
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional
641 243 103
39 15 2
17 17 2
401 234 16
1098 509 123
Total 2006
987
56
36
651
1730
Description
African
Coloured
Indian
White
Total
Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional
1239 557 185
72 38 8
37 26 6
1118 621 28
2466 1242 227
Total 2005
1981
118
69
1767
3935
African 1370
Coloured 67
Indian 38
White 1169
Total 2644
628 171
36 4
33 4
665 39
1362 218
2169
107
75
1873
4224
2006
Description Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional Total 2005
18
20
20
European countries
6
6
Lesotho
142
142
Malawi
2
1
Mauritius Mozambique Namibia
2 8
7
40
42
1 4
4
Other Africa
45
48
South Africa
3610
3893
13
13
South America Swaziland Zambia Zimbabwe
Description
Total 2005
21
Botswana
North America
Undergraduate Postgraduate Occasional
2006
1
Asian countries
No information
Description
2005
Total
1 4
6
18
21
3935
4224
Research outputs for the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Articles published in accredited approved research journals.
Student figures
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Departmental research outputs Articles published in accredited approved research journals, 2005/06
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Glossary
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Glossary A
ACIAR AEASA ALPRU ARC ARMSCOR ARS ASAQS ASSA ASTER AVS
C
CANSA CATSA CBD CCEM CePHMa CfPB CIAT CIDB CIMMYT CIOB CIOB-SA CSACEE CSIC-INTA CSIR CSIRO
D
DEAT DiMTEC DMISA DST
E
EAAP EASA ECA EIGG EPWP ESBES ESREL ESRP
F
FAO FEMS FMP FOTIM
FSRPO Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Agricultural Economics Association of South Africa African Large Predator Research Unit Agricultural Research Council Armaments Corporation of South Africa Agri Risk Specialists Association of South African Quantity Surveyors Anatomical Society of South Africa Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer American Vacuum Society Cancer Association of South Africa Catalysis Society of South Africa Convention of Biological Diversity Centre for Confocal and Electron Microscopy Centre for Plant Health Management Centre for People and Buildings International Centre for Tropical Agriculture Construction Industry Development Board International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre Chartered Institute of Building Chartered Institute of Building South Africa Central South African Council on Economic Education Centro de Astrobiología Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa Disaster Management Institute of South Africa Department of Science and Technology European Association for Animal Production Education Association of South Africa European Crystallographic Association Environmental Inorganic Geochemistry Group Expanded Public Works Programme European Symposium on Biochemical Engineering Science European Safety and Reliability Economic and Social Rehabilitation Programme Food and Agriculture Organisation Federation of European Microbiological Societies Facilities Management Programme Foundation of Tertiary Institutions of the Northern Metropolis
G
GIS Glen ADI GM GMBA GMO GWK
H
HIV HPCSA HPLC HSPCM
Free State Red Meat Producers Organisation Geographical Information Systems Glen Agricultural Development Institute Genetically Modified Gauteng Master Builders’ Association Genetically Modified Organisms Griekwaland-Wes Koöperasie Human Immunodeficiency Virus Health Professions Council of South Africa High Performance Liquid Chromatography Health and Safety Programme for Construction Managers
I
IAGOD
International Association on the Genesis of Ore Deposits IAH International Association of Hydrogeologists ICCC International Conference on Coordination Chemistry ICEC International Cost Engineering Council ICID International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage ICP Inductively Coupled Plasma ICRBM International Conference on Rodent Biology and Management ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics IDC Industrial Development Corporation IGS Institute for Groundwater Studies IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture INCRoP Insects on New Crops Programme INTSORMIL International Sorghum and Millet Research Support Programme IPMA International Project Management Association IPMP Intensive Project Management Programme IRDP Institutional Research and Development Programme IRWH In-field Rainwater Harvesting IUCr International Union of Crystallography IUMS International Union of Microbial Societies IUPAP International Union of Pure and Applied Physics
J
JFM
L
LExEn
M
MIRCHEN MIT MRM MSA MSSA MUCPP MURP
Journal of Facilities Management Life in Extreme Environments Microbiological Resources Centre Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mineral Resource Management Master’s Degree in Sustainable Agriculture Microscopy Society of Southern Africa Mangaung University Community Partnership Programme Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning
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N
NaCOF NAFU NAMC NASA NASSP NCEE NDA NECSA NELSAM NERPO NGO NML NMMU NMR NRF NUFU
NWGA
O
OABS OECD
P
PARSA PDMIW POT PPP PRT
R
RICS RIEP RNA RPO
S
SA SAACE SAB SACI SACPCMP
SACPVP SACQSP SADC SAFMA SAFOI SAIP SAISC SAMSI
National Climate Outlook Forum National African Farmers Union National Agricultural Marketing Council National Aeronautics and Space Administration National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme National Council for Economic Education National Department of Agriculture National Energy Commission of South Africa Natural Earthquake Laboratory in South African Mines National Emergent Red Meat Producers’ Organisation Non-Governmental Oganisation National Metrological Laboratory Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Nuclear Magnetic Resonance National Research Foundation Norwegian Council of Universities Committee for Development, Research and Education National Wool Growers’ Association Optimal Agricultural Business Solutions Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Parasitological Association of Southern Africa Processing and Disposal of Mineral Industry Wastes Peaks over Threshold Public Private Partnership Protein Research Trust Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Research Institute of Education Planning Research Niche Area Red Meat Producers’ Organisation South Africa South African Association of Consulting Engineers The South African Breweries Limited South African Chemical Institute South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Profession South African Council for the Property Valuation Profession South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession Southern African Development Community South African Facilities Management Association South African Fryer Oil Initiative South African Institute of Physics Southern African Institute of Steel Construction Statistical and Applied Mathematical Sciences Institute
SANCIAHS
SANCU SANPAD
SAPOA SAPS SAQA SASAS SASQUA SAVAH SBE
South African National Committee for the International Association of Hydrological Sciences South African National Consumer Union South Africa-Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development South African Property Owners’ Association South African Police Services South African Qualifications Authority South African Society for Animal Science Southern African Society for Quaternary Research South African Association of Visual Arts Historians Sustainable Built Environments
SEDA SMME SRC SRL SSAG
T
THRIP
TUE
U
UCT UFS UJ UK UN
Small Enterprise Development Agency Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises Student Representative Council Sustainable Rural Livelihood Society of South African Geographers
UNEP
South African National Research Foundation Thrust for IndustryRelated Projects Technical University Eindhoven
UWC
UNESCO USA USAID UTCHEM
W WARFSA WATOC
University of Cape Town University of the Free State University of Johannesburg United Kingdom United Nations
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United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation United States of America United States Agency for International Development University of Texas Chemical Compositional Simulator University of the Western Cape
WFP WITS WRC WUA
Water Research Fund of Southern Africa World Association of Theoretically Orientated Chemists World Food Programme University of the Witwatersrand Water Research Commission Water Users’ Association

Basic EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery)
This class can be taught on site or at the designated site. This particular class is being offered by the University of Texas distance learning arm PETEX.

Dr. Delshad is an experienced Research Professor at the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering at The University of Texas with over 20 years of experience in modeling multiphase flow, property Modeling, and reservoir simulation. She has virtually an unrivalled experience in modeling and designing subsurface containment transport and remediation.
She has been involved in the design of several tracer and surfactant and surfactant/foam field test using UTCHEM, The University of Texas.
She is in charge of UTCHEM development and user support.

Current Research Projects