?South Africans celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April. In opinion pieces for the media, experts at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 emphasised the importance of moral leadership, moral imagination and religion in a free and democratic country. Click on the links below to read the articles as published.

• Prof Chris Jones (Daily Maverick)
• Prof Nico Koopman (Weekend Argus)
• Dr Armand Bam (Mail & Guardian)*

*This article was not facilitated by the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division.?

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?Prof Annie Bekker from Stellenbosch 万博体育官网＊s (SU＊s) Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering has been awarded the DSI/NRF-SAIMI SARChI Research Chair in Naval Architecture and Design.

This new SARChI Chair is focused on catalysing research on naval architecture, ship design, and maritime engineering, all to the benefit of South Africa＊s ＆blue economy＊. This term refers to, broadly, a sustainable ocean economy (the economic activities associated with the ocean, seas, and coastal regions).

Bekker says SU＊s Faculty of Engineering has a team of researchers and existing capabilities to springboard research on priority sectors in the blue economy.

SARChI＊s funding will enable the 万博体育官网 to use its refurbished 90-metre-long towing tank (the largest facility of its kind in Africa) for the testing of boat hull designs. Moreover, SU is equipped with a rotating rig to understand propulsion system dynamics, a sailboat, offshore acoustic sensor arrays, and a full-scale measurement system on the SA Agulhas II 〞 Africa＊s only polar supply and research vessel.

Bekker says the Chair will help train engineers for ship design and maritime engineering careers, and create research opportunities that can strategically combine diverse activities under one umbrella. SARChI will allocate the Chair R3 million annually for a period of five years.

Leading the pack

As director of the Sound and Vibration Research Group (SVRG), Bekker is recognised for her expertise in mechanical engineering, specifically in engineering measurement-taking and analysis, as well as signal processing on operational dynamic structures. 

Over the last decade, she and members of the SVRG have investigated noise and vibration in the shipping and engineering industries. Their work includes a focus on human, rotor, and structural dynamics in cases where engineering measurements and models can be integrated, through digital twin technology, to provide decision support. 

Since 2023, Bekker has also held the Gibela Engineering Research Chair (GERC), a dynamic research group at SU, sponsored by the Gibela Rail Transport Consortium. This consortium is manufacturing 600 new X＊Trapolis Mega trains for the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. GERC performs research to support Gibela in maintaining and monitoring these train sets in operation. The aim is to create digital twin services for the trains in order to provide insight into the South African passenger rail fleet in terms of its state of reliability, cost, and maintenance. 

SU＊s role in developing naval architecture

The Faculty of Engineering has a long history of conducting research on naval architecture, especially that of high-speed craft, Bekker points out. 

In the 1980s, Prof Gunther Hoppe initiated naval architecture research in South Africa, which led to the development and implementation of the HYSUCAT (hydrofoil-supported catamaran) patent on several vessels. Following in his footsteps, Dr G邦nther Migeotte became an internationally renowned naval architect, extending the HYSUCAT patent to that of the HYSUWAC (hydrofoil-supported watercraft). Today, Migeotte continues to design high-speed marine craft for Icarus Marine, a Cape Town-based company.

Operational measurements and digitalisation

In 2002, Prof Wikus van Niekerk, the dean, established SU＊s vibration laboratory. As a former student in this laboratory, Bekker joined SU in 2011 and expanded its capabilities, performing full-scale ship measurements on the SA Agulhas II during operational voyages. 

She and more than 35 students and collaborators have benefited from scientific work on this vessel. Their research has established an ＆engineering nervous system＊ of sensors in order to create a digital version of the vessel in operation. Today, the ship has more than 200 such engineering and monitoring sensors to measure how the mechanical vibration of the vessel, caused by ice and waves, impacts the bending and twisting of her hull, its propulsion system, and humans on board. 

Notably, three students who have performed research on this vessel have continued to pursue careers as young academics at SU. For Dr Brendon Nickerson, Dr Nicole Taylor, and Gerhard Durandt, the SARChI chair is creating research opportunities in maritime engineering, helping them gain a foothold in the academic career space.

Using data from the sensors on the ship, Bekker, her students, and collaborators have developed the ＆Digital SA Agulhas II＊, comprising three primary digital twins: DIGIHULL (a hull motion and structural twin), HEALTHPROP (a propulsion machinery and ice interaction twin), and MARINER 4.0 (a twin for monitoring the vessel when it has a human cohort on board). The sensors detect mechanical vibration of the vessel, and thereby enable a real-time animation of the ship dynamics.

SU＊s involvement in the digital transformation of the SA Agulhas II has enabled Bekker and a team of researchers to participate in expeditions in search of Sir Ernest Shackleton＊s famous shipwreck, the Endurance, in 2019 and 2022. This increased the exposure of SA Agulhas II research and boosted SU＊s international network in shipping research.

Currently, Bekker is the only South African member of the International Committee of Ships and Offshore Structures, with the mandate to document new developments in engineering disciplines related to the design of ships and offshore structures. She belongs to a sub-committee with members from 15 countries who have investigated recent developments in ship digital twins. Bekker aims to gain increased representation for South Africa in this forum in order to promote the country＊s exposure as a maritime nation. She hopes to leverage her networks and the new information gained through this committee to support the work of the Chair. 

Focus on ship and marine systems

Looking forward, the Chair＊s work will be focused on understanding and supporting the local ship and boat building industry and developing training infrastructure.

※A team of capable researchers at SU offer existing knowledge to support early research pursuits in the field of ship and maritime systems,§ Bekker says.

Existing training at Nelson Mandela 万博体育官网 and organisations such as the South African Navy, SABBEX/Boating South Africa, the South African Institute of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, and the South African International Maritime Institute already connect many of the key stakeholders in the country. These stakeholders underpin South African research and training needs, as well as key strategic areas to develop in the Chair.

Bekker plans to expand the work on the SA Agulhas II in collaboration with Prof Nico de Koker, head of SU＊s Department of Civil Engineering. He specialises in structural dynamics and reliability. Historical sailing conditions can be used to tailor understanding of the specific demands of ocean conditions for ships operating around the South African coast and Southern Ocean. There is also potential to evaluate digital twins of the SA Agulhas II in operation. Already, the MARINER 4.0 digital twin that Dr Nicole Taylor developed for vessels with multiple passengers on board is integrating subjective feedback from ship motion sensors and real-time analytics. This twin can be expanded further to include dashboards and tools for other ship systems.

Prof Chris Meyer, from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, has created a model-building workshop in which SU manufactures its own boat hull designs. He is an expert in numerical hydrodynamics, with a longstanding research collaboration with Migeotte from Icarus Marine in SU＊s towing tank. This collaboration is enabling the optimisation of innovative hull shapes and hydrofoil designs to enhance South Africa＊s competitive edge in the vessel market. 

Profs Jaco Versfeld and Japie Engelbrecht, from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, have successfully supervised the development of a control system for an autonomous fixed-wing sailing vessel. 

Versfeld also established a permanent, underwater instrument in False Bay that conducts continuous acoustic recordings. Via this instrument, cetacean and fish sounds can be detected and classified. Versveld＊s collaborative projects with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment use passive acoustics in the analysis of underwater soundscapes to monitor the health of marine ecosystems. This work, along with signal processing techniques, can be expanded to monitor ship traffic and propulsion sound signatures.

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Maties Sport is proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, capturing a year of remarkable growth, resilience, tough times, and achievement across all spheres of university sport at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网. This publication reflects our deep commitment to empowering student-athletes, fostering excellence, and creating a lasting impact through sport.

As we reflect on the past year, we remain focused on our long-term vision:
※To be the leading university, contributing to a holistic and diverse experience through sport."

Looking ahead, our Chief Director's new vision will continue to guide us in realising the ongoing investment by the #MaroonMachine over the next five years, with 2025 marking a pivotal year in our journey in the following ways:

1. Advance Participation and Performance: We continue strengthening our high performance and competitive sport structures while promoting inclusive participation through recreational and active lifestyle programmes.

2. Foster a Healthy Organisation: We aim to build a resilient and future-ready Maties Sport team through leadership development, succession planning, and staff wellbeing initiatives.

3. Enable a Sustainable Business Model: By forging purposeful partnerships, enhancing fundraising efforts, and leveraging our world-class facilities, we continue to advance Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 as a destination of choice supported by operational excellence and innovation.

4. Drive Research for Impact: Anchored by our Centre for Sport Leadership (CSL) and the South African Centre for Olympic Studies and Social Impact (SACOSSI), we will advance research, training and development, and social transformation through sport.

This report celebrates our milestones, not only for 2024 but a decade of visionary and resilient leadership by our Chief Director. It outlines our unwavering commitment to sport as a transformative force within Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 and the higher education sector.

Access the full report Maties Sport Annual Report 2024-Eng.pdf

#MatiesSport #AnnualReport2024 #ExcellenceThroughSport #FutureFocused #Stellenbosch万博体育官网

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More than five years since it was launched, Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's globally renowned School for Data Science and Computational Thinking has a new home at the JC Smuts building, occupying a space ※designed for connection, collaboration, and exploration".

Affectionately referred to as the ※data science HQ", it symbolises the ethos of the school, representing ※possibility, partnership, and purpose", explained Prof Kanshukan Rajaratnam, the School's Director, at the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Addressing guests 每 including Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjungernath and former Rector and now Fundraising and Strategic Projects Lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Prof Wim de Villiers, Lawrence Matemba, Chief Policy Analyst with the Presidency, students and stakeholders 每 Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, said the school had become a ※force to be reckoned with", locally and internationally, establishing itself as a hub for interdisciplinary, collaborative research. Commenting on the work the School does with the Presidency, Matemba described it as a national asset, saying: ※This [opening] is not just good news for Stellenbosch, it is good news for the whole country."

Ramjungernath commended the School for contributing to the 万博体育官网's ※bold vision" of being one of the top 100 universities globally. ※This school is a manifestation of a vision that places SU at the forefront of transdisciplinary research." He acknowledged the exponential growth of the School and its prolific research output. It has, he added, helped to drive the academic excellence of the 万博体育官网. Through its work, the School has shown how to translate outcomes into impacts that are easily seen by the man on the street, added Ramjungernath. ※Computational science can have significant societal impact."

Reflecting on the School's first five years, Rajaratnam said, ※We've built global collaborations, and we've built local relevance." He proudly celebrated the world-class researchers associated with the School, including Prof Tulio de Oliveira who discovered the Omicron variant and was named twice by Time magazine for his work; Prof Francesco Petruccione, recipient of the Italian Order of the Star and Director of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences; and Prof Thulani Makhalanyane, recipient of the Silver Medal of the South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Rajaratnam said the School was intentional about unlocking data science for students, professionals and policymakers. It has provided online short courses and free bootcamps to more than 10 000 students. A recent cybersecurity summer school attracted more than 3 000 students, while an introduction to coding course had more than 3 500 registrants.

Milestone achievements include the launch of CERI and later the Policy Innovation Lab and the introduction of several research chairs 每 many in collaboration with the School's partners.

Looking ahead, Rajaratnam said: ※We aim to grow, build bridges and more collaborations deep into faculties, schools and external entities." Key focus areas will include bringing more researchers from non-traditional areas into data science, securing more student funding and bringing faculties closer to the school. ※Our unofficial vison statement should be: the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking will work with faculties and schools to lead the 万博体育官网 into the Top 100."?

?Caption: Former Rector and now Fundraising and Strategic Projects Lead for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI), Prof Wim de Villiers, celebrates the official opening of the new home of the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking with Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Deresh Ramjungernath and Prof Tulio de Oliveira, Director of CERI. 

Photo: CERI Media, Captured: JikaJika Media?

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???As Autumn approaches, the Haemanthus pumilio, a critically endangered species and one of the ※paintbrush lilies", will flower in the Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 Botanical Garden (SUBG).

It is one of several vulnerable plant species maintained at the SUBG, one of only two botanical gardens in a global survey of living plant collections that have continued to actively increase wild and conservation-grade plant collections in recent years.

Carefully documented, ex-situ collections from known wild localities are crucial for conservation, species and ecosystems restoration, and nearly all scientific research, notes Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of SUBG. Maintaining such collections over time requires intensive labour, institutional resources, and space. The challenges of maintaining these collections are profound. Even the best institutions lose plants and collections over time, and the inevitable attrition of collections must be offset by new collections or the establishment of resilient shared collections across institutions.

The survey, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution recently, analysed a century of data comprising 2.2 million records from 50 institutions, representing over 500 000 separate accessions, i.e. separate sub-collections of a species from a particular place or time. The survey is thought to represent over 40 per cent of global diversity held in institutional living collections. These are also called ex-situ collections to indicate these are captive, not wild plants. All in all, 50 botanical gardens from 19 countries and 5 continents participated in the survey, including Africa (1 collection), Australasia (6 collections), Eurasia (27 collections), North America (13 collections) and South America (3 collections).

The findings of the survey are disconcerting. On a global scale, the meta-collection seems to have reached carrying capacity in both the number of accessions and botanical diversity. While newer collections are being established, especially in the global south, collections in the global north have mostly plateaued or are decreasing in size. Collectively, the overarching trends point towards capacity constraints, underscoring a critical need for strategic prioritisation.

Bucking the global trend

Kirkwood, who co-authored the article, says globally, at least 750 000 threatened plants should be supported by ex-situ conservation. In contrast, South Africa's ex-situ conservation target is equivalent to more than 3 000 plant species: ※We suspect South African ex-situ progress across all institutions is fewer than 500 threatened species. The species that require urgent support are even more poorly represented, and institutional capacity is already under pressure."

He says one of this survey's most important take-home messages is that capacity limits are real: ※We have to be as strategic as possible in curating collections that meet conservation, research and education goals," he warns.

※Here in the Western Cape, biological diversity is characterised by many species occurring only in very localised areas 每 many of our plants have global ranges of only tens of kilometres or less. Even a relatively small habitat loss to farming, urban expansion or invasive plants can result in a major reduction or loss of entire species populations. On our doorstep, in the Cape Peninsula, one can find 158 plant species and 3 subspecies only in special habitats between Cape Point and Green Point," he says.

Our huge biodiversity and localised distributions, with modern habitat loss and other major extinction drivers, mean that the Cape is among the world's worst hotspots of plant threat and extinction. Of the 10,744 plants in just the Western Cape Province, for example, nearly 40 per cent are in one of the Red List categories of concern. Red List status is assessed partly by recent reductions in population, and even species listed as Vulnerable or naturally Critically Rare may only have a few hundred plants in total. So, even for less threatened species, any further loss might be catastrophic.

※There is a massive need for capacity to do ex-situ conservation and species recovery. The global targets provide for living collections of 60 per cent of threatened species. Even a far more focused target is challenging. In wild sampling for conservation in extremely threatened species, seeds or cuttings of nearly every remaining plant may need to be sampled and propagated over multiple years in remote or hard-to-access sites. Maintaining viable captive populations for reintroduction to the wild means that source diversity must be maintained, and ideally, each captive population of a species should consist of at least hundreds to thousands of plants," he warns.

Globally, one of the main challenges for botanical gardens is the limitation imposed by the Convention on Global Biodiversity (the CBD), which regulates the acquisition of wild-origin specimens and the international exchange of plant material. The global survey has, for the first time, provided empirical evidence of a drastic decline in both activities after the CBD came into effect in 1993, 44 per cent in the case of wild-origin collections and 38 per cent in international exchanges.

This emphasises the need for increased collaboration and legal material sharing across the network of botanical gardens around the globe that act as custodians of biodiversity. Such an approach will fundamentally reshape the future regional composition of botanical collections and partition diversity across the global network.

This approach makes sense for Kirkwood: ※Living collections in the global south are close to biodiversity hot spots, and we can continue strategic collection without contravening the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol."

The SUBG: a regional custodian of biodiversity

Since Kirkwood was appointed curator at SUBG, the garden has contributed significantly to the conservation of multiple critically endangered Cape species by propagating and growing living collections and seedbanking. Some stars of the collection include Haemanthus pumilio, Ixia versicolor, Oxalis fragilis, Pelargonium fergusoniae, Marasmodes undulata, Polhilia groenewaldii, Gibbaeum esterhuyseniae, Gladiolus recurvus, and Ixia leipoldtii.

In the case of Marasmodes undulata, the species was completely extinct in the wild by 2020 and SUBG managed to grow four of the only five living plants from banked seed. Since then, the SUBG has propagated nearly a hundred individuals of this species from seed and cuttings. Working with the national Threatened Species Programme of SANBI, including the Custodians of Rare and Endangered Wildflowers (CREW), the long process of reintroducing plants back into their habitat has started.

SUBG is also trialling strategies to overcome the capacity plateau problem experienced by botanical gardens globally. Kirkwood notes: ※While some of our ability to grow our wild and threatened collections recently is a result of starting from a low base, we aim to continue being a positive outlier. One new approach is to hold satellite conservation collections outside formal botanical gardens in non-traditional spaces. One major project was recently started in a corporate head office, providing innovative biophilic plantings and conservation partnership, with all wild material fully owned and managed as part of the permanent SUBG collection and collection database."

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There was a lightness, even a cheerfulness about Prof Wim de Villiers in the last few days on the Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 (SU) campus before his retirement. It's as if after ten ※restless" years in the harness as Rector and Vice-Chancellor, he's allowed himself the freedom to catch his breath and, for one last time, take pleasure in his work.

During a campus walkabout, he's unashamedly nostalgic about the place where, as a medical student, he first started down the road as a Matie. This journey eventually took him to great heights.

It's a bittersweet time to say goodbye, he says. ※It's March now, soon the leaves will start changing colour and falling. If you look up Victoria Street with its trees, you'll see how autumn is creeping closer," he gestures. ※There isn't a more beautiful campus that I know of," he adds warmly.

De Villiers admits it's going to be a strange feeling not walking the daily route from his house to his office in the stately Administration B building anymore. ※It's still difficult for me to get the word 'retirement' past my lips."

But after April 1st, he'll still come to watch movies in the Neelsie, his favourite place on campus. ※It's such a pleasure to walk in and experience the energy of the youngsters, especially when someone sits jamming on the piano. That's the gees of the 万博体育官网 that's so lekker," he remarks while waving to a group of students who excitedly recognise the Rector. He remembers how festive the Neelsie was during the two Rugby World Cup celebrations in 2019 and 2023.

※How can one not be touched by such a wonderful campus? Just look at all the young people finding their way in life and going on to do fantastic things＃"

World-class university

Under De Villiers' leadership, SU's campus has grown into a vastly different place from what it was when he became Rector and Vice-Chancellor on 1 April 2015.

In front of the Ou Hoofgebou (Old Main Building) at the Faculty of Law, he lingers at the installation of the Preamble to the South African Constitution that was unveiled in 2020. At the Krotoa Building, he chats about the name change from the RW Wilcocks Building of old and how important it was to pay tribute to Eva Krotoa, one of the foremothers of South Africa.

De Villiers was closely involved with SU's Visual Redress Policy that was adopted in 2021, the first of its kind at a South African university. On the way to the library, he points to the wall with maps of all the communities in and around Stellenbosch. It symbolises the bridges that the 万博体育官网 has helped build in the town over the past 100-plus years.

Against the same wall, De Villiers' words during SU's centenary celebration are immortalised: ※In its 2018 Centenary Year, SU celebrates its successes and achievements. We also acknowledge, with deep regret, our role in the injustices of our country's past. SU commits itself to the ideal of an inclusive, world-class university in and for Africa. Forward together."

SU is the only university in South Africa with a Restitution Statement.

It's heartening for De Villiers that SU no longer labours under the stigma of old. ※We are no longer just a historically exclusive institution. We are a world-class inclusive university that continuously strives for excellence. We aren't shying away from difficult conversations anymore."

Universities are institutions for the ages, De Villiers often says. ※It was a privilege to have been part of a place that has made such a significant impact. I call my term the 'restless decade'. There were many challenges, but also a great deal to be grateful for. I think the 万博体育官网 is undeniably in a better place than it was when I came here in 2015. But that's not thanks to me 每 although there are of course also people who will say it's despite me! Whatever has been achieved, I genuinely believe it's because there is such an exceptional team of people who walked the path with me."

His most important focus was always the academic project, De Villiers explains. ※As I always say: 'The main thing about the main thing is the main thing.' It's first and foremost about academic excellence. There's a lot of other noise you must endure, but I realised early in my management career that it's not a popularity contest. If I'm not being attacked from left and right, then I'm doing something wrong."

When De Villiers was inaugurated as Rector and Vice-Chancellor a decade ago, he declared that SU is not a ※volksuniversiteit" (tribal university). He still feels strongly about this. ※The 万博体育官网 is not there to serve the interests of a small group in the Western Cape. It's not an Afrikaans, English, or isiXhosa university, it's a jewel in the crown of national education in South Africa. We are entirely in service of the community."

Criticism not personal

De Villiers is resigned about the fierce attacks he had to endure, especially after transformation at SU properly gained momentum under his leadership. In his office, every cartoon that has appeared about him in the media over the years is displayed on the walls. He sometimes had to have a thick skin, he admits. ※I accepted that the criticism is mostly not personal. It's not me they're attacking, it's ideas, ideologies. Some of the cartoons were very funny. But towards the end, it started to become demonic at times," he chuckles and points to an unflattering cartoon that appeared in Die Burger.

Without a sense of humour, the harsh criticism that was sometimes hurled at him would probably have grieved him more. His mischievousness shines through in his favourite coffee mug with a depiction of a famous surrealistic artwork, a picture of a pipe with the caption in French ※This Is Not a Pipe". ※Indeed, it's not a pipe, it's an image of a pipe!" he laughs. ※Things are not always as they seem."

His experience as a physician sometimes stood him in good stead when, as rector, he had to stand firm to keep the peace. ※My professional training as a gastroenterologist and internist helped me maintain objectivity. In a way, it sometimes felt as if the university was a patient. Physicians are very good at compartmentalisation. Every patient and situation need 100% of your attention. Doctors are also adept at handling complexity and teamwork. It's about diagnosing problems, looking at them critically, analysing the data, treating the problems, and then evaluating the cure."

The glass table in his office 每 where meetings in turbulent times sometimes continued until late into the night 每 is indicative of his management style. Transparency is important, De Villiers emphasises. He liked being in touch with colleagues and keeping his ear to the ground. ※It's a bit like the ward rounds that doctors do to take patients' temperatures," he jokes. Some of his favourite memories from the past years were the rector's breakfasts where he regularly met with staff and students to talk about things that make them happy and aggrieved.

Team effort with Catherine

When De Villiers closes his office door behind him today and hands over the keys to his successor, Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, the first priority is a well-deserved break. He's looking forward to relaxing with his wife, Catherine, and their children, Katusha, Gera and Braam, and his three grandchildren. The family has been planning a holiday in the Cederberg for a long time. ※I'm just going to switch off a bit and be at peace in nature. And then I'll have to recalibrate and think carefully about the way forward. And make a nuisance of myself at home so that my wife sends me away!"

It has meant a great deal to De Villiers to have Catherine by his side with all his official obligations at the 万博体育官网. Without her, he would not have been able to weather the storms of the past ten years so well, he says. ※I really couldn't have done it without her. It was a team effort throughout."

He would like to remain involved in medical research. In between, he plans to finish writing his autobiography. Whether it will indeed have the entertaining title From Rectum to Rector (an allusion to his medical specialty) as he jokingly claims, remains a surprise for now.

De Villiers says he is confident that he is handing SU over to a competent leader who will undoubtedly take the 万博体育官网 to even greater heights. ※Prof Deresh is a seasoned academic and an experienced manager. My advice to him is simple: Doe zo voort (Continue this way). Keep your eye on the ball and trust yourself."

It is incredibly special for De Villiers that his last week as Rector and Vice-Chancellor coincided with the 万博体育官网's March graduation ceremonies. It was always the highlight of his year when he could personally congratulate each student on their achievements. ※Over the past ten years, we have awarded more than 90,000 qualifications. That's an exceptional contribution to human capital."                                                                                                                                             

Before De Villiers says goodbye and walks up Victoria Street to his house, he mentions that his knees are giving him trouble these days. ※It's from all the marathons I've run. I completed my last marathon in 2019. It was very rough, and I struggled. These days I prefer to cycle to stay fit. It's one thing I will continue to do 每 to participate annually in the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise money for needy students. It's very close to my heart."

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?In 2023, malaria caused 597 000 deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, with most occurring in Africa, where the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, is most prevalent. Once inside the body of an infected person, the parasite relies on a process called glycolysis〞breaking down glucose (a sugar)〞to produce energy and stay alive.

A new study at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 (SU) found that blocking the enzymes involved in this process could cut off the parasite's primary energy source and kill it. Some of these enzymes could also be good targets for new malaria drugs.

※Plasmodium falciparum relies heavily on free energy produced during glycolysis for its survival, growth and replication. It consumes vast amounts of glucose from the host's red blood cells to survive. If we can block the breaking down of sugar, it will be harder for the parasite to mutate or evade suppression without suffering severe consequences," says Dr Tagwin Frantz who recently obtained her PhD in biochemistry at SU.

As part of her study, Frantz tested three chemicals to determine how they affect the parasite's glucose metabolism, growth and use of available energy utilising experimental and modelling approaches to identify potential drug targets. Each chemical blocked a different enzyme (hexokinase, phosphofructokinase and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) involved in breaking down sugar, securing a continuous energy supply, maintaining the parasite's redox balance (how it manages chemical reactions to produce energy and protect itself from harmful molecules) and helping it to survive.

Frantz says that two of these chemicals are known to inhibit the parasite's ability to extract nutrients from its host, converts them into energy, and adapts its biochemical processes for survival and reproduction. The chemicals〞one being Spinosad, an insecticide derived from the bacteria Saccharopolyspora spinosa and used against pests like mosquitoes〞have shown the ability to fight the parasite though the exact mechanism of action is unknown. These chemicals were tested on the isolated parasite, red blood cells (both infected and uninfected), and a type of bacteria used in biotechnology and medicine.

※Our results show that by inhibiting these enzymes, glucose cannot enter glycolysis, cutting off the parasite's primary energy source. Additionally, glycolysis could also be halted entirely, leading to a rapid energy crisis in the parasite, starving the parasite of energy, likely disrupting its redox balance and leading to its death.

※It is crucial to prevent glycolysis during the blood stage, i.e. the phase where the parasite, after entering the bloodstream from the liver, replicates within red blood cells, causing the clinical symptoms of malaria. Preventing glycolysis to kill the parasite is especially effective in infected individuals, where a fever that causes the body to work harder and use up more energy also makes the parasite more vulnerable. However, it can be challenging since both human cells and parasites undergo glycolysis.

※Beyond the blood stage, inhibiting glycolysis could also indirectly reduce the transmission of the parasite to the mosquito."

Targeting how the organism extracts nutrients from its host and converts them into energy metabolism (rather than traditional drug targets) offers a new way to kill resistant parasites, according to Frantz.

She points out that Spinosad directly inhibits the parasite's metabolism without damaging red blood cells.

※Since two of the three enzymes (hexokinase and phosphofructokinase) are essential and structurally distinct from human enzymes, selective inhibitors can be designed to minimise side effects. Combining either one of these enzyme inhibitors with current standard treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria (artemisinin-based therapies) could further reduce risks, making them valuable targets for new malaria drugs."

Frantz mentions that testing the effectiveness of chemicals against the parasite 每 and finding a dose that kills the parasite without harming red blood cells or other host tissues 每 was challenging. Another hurdle was ensuring that the parasite wouldn't quickly develop resistance to these compounds. To tackle these issues, she tested the long-term effects of the inhibitors over multiple parasite life cycles.

Frantz says that although her research is still in its early stages, it could be a building block for developing new malaria drugs.

※This study advances malaria research by pinpointing critical points where drugs can effectively target the parasite and predicting the most vulnerable parts of its energy-producing processes. These insights could help to develop next-generation malaria medicine that combat resistance, target multiple parasite lifecycles, and are safer for humans 每 supporting global efforts to eradicate the disease.

※With rising drug resistance, finding new drug targets is crucial to prevent treatment failure and protect millions at risk. Continuous innovation is key to eliminating malaria and staying ahead of the parasite's adaptation. Additionally, contributing to the broader understanding of how metabolic interventions (adjusting how the body uses energy and nutrients) can be leveraged to combat parasitic diseases.

※Future success will depend on the design of precision drugs, the use of combination therapies, and targeted delivery to kill the parasite while sparing human cells," adds Frantz. ?

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The Centre for Invasion Biology (CIB) and the Department of Botany and Zoology at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 (SU) were shocked to learn of the passing of Dr John Measey (57) following a mountain bike accident in China on 19 April 2025.

At the time of his death, Dr Measey was an Extraordinary Professor in the Department of Botany and Zoology and a member of the Centre for Invasion Biology's (CIB) core team.

According to Prof. Dave Richardson, former director of the CIB and a close colleague, said John Measey was a permanent employee of Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 between 2014 and 2022 during which time he was a highly valued member of the CIB's's core team and supervised 41 post-graduate students.

※Dr Measey was a globally respected herpetologist who made crucial contributions to the knowledge of the ecology and conservation status of amphibians and reptiles, especially in South Africa but also in many other parts of the world. He was the world expert on the African clawed frog or platanna (Xenopus laevis), a native African amphibian which is invasive in several parts of the world.

※Dr Measey also made major contributions to invasion ecology (the study of introduced and invasive species) more generally and was co-editor of the encyclopaedic book Biological invasions in South Africa that was published in 2020," Prof. Richardson added.

Since 2022, Dr Measey had been dividing his time between China, where he had a part-time appointment at Yunnan 万博体育官网 in Kunming province, and Stellenbosch 万博体育官网. He served as Editor-in-Chief for the African Journal of Herpetology (2009-2017) and was an Associate Editor for Herpetological Conservation and Biology. He attended annual Herpetological Association of Africa (HAA) conferences as a well-known and respected expert. At an international level, he served as a Professor at Yunnan 万博体育官网, China, and was an Honorary Attach谷 of the Museum National D'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France.

In a Facebook post, the invasive species community of South Africa expressed their profound sadness at hearing the news of his passing. Describing him as an ※international rock star" in the world of herpetology, they remember him as someone ※who was always happy to give advice, guidance, asking questions and to fight for his students to be represented".

According to Prof. Richardson, Dr Measey was ※a superb researcher, an excellent lecturer, supervisor and mentor. He was a crucial cog in the wheel of the invasion ecology in South Africa and his contributions will be sorely missed".

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?A groundbreaking agreement was signed by Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's Unit for International Credentialling (SU-UIC) and the Examinations Council of Lesotho (ECoL) 每 an agreement that will rapidly transform education not only for learners from Lesotho, but also for the greater SADC region.

SU-UIC, housed within the Centre for Capacity Development in Africa (CCDA) at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 International (SU International), will now provide external quality assurance services for Lesotho's new national school-leaving qualification, the Lesotho Advanced Secondary Certificate (LASC).

The LASC has been developed to expedite learners access to higher education. Present at the signing ceremony which took place on 17 April 2025, Mr Ratsiu Majara, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Training in Lesotho, said the LASC will help transform the lives of many.

※The LASC will help to make our students employable after school, and support many of our students who want to pursue further education. Through the LASC, our students will now be academically eligible to meet the admission requirements of many higher education institutions. This collaboration will greatly benefit our country," Majara said.

The LASC will provide  learners from Lesotho the opportunity to apply for university directly, rather than going through a bridging course, which is currently common for those wishing to pursue higher education in and beyond Lesotho.

Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, welcomed this important partnership to help advance academic excellence in Lesotho.

※This is a very important partnership between SU and the Lesotho Education Ministry. It speaks to SU's vision and strategy to build partnerships with various stakeholders, including government, to advance academic excellence and research. It also reflects our commitment to collaboration in service to society," Ramjugernath explained.

The Director of SU's Unit for International Credentialling, Prof Sarah Howie, said it has been a pleasure to help develop and design the LASC. ※This is the start of a journey, to help advance education in the greater SADC region," she said.

The LASC will be piloted in 2025 in 12 schools across Lesotho, with 60 learners writing exams in six subjects, and a national rollout is planned for 2026.

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Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's (SU) students and staff took to the streets on campus to celebrate Earth Day 2025 with a walk and clean-up on 22 April 2025, committing to this year's theme of #OurPowerOurPlanet 〞 calling for everyone to unite around cleaner renewable energy so that we can triple clean electricity by 2030.

The participants ended the walk and clean-up on the steps of SU's Library, where they all signed a memorandum and called on SU to deepen its commitment to Environmental Sustainability by establishing an integrated, unified, campus-wide sustainability network. Accepting the memorandum on behalf of SU, our new acting Chief Operating Officer, Prof Nicola Smit, reminded us that Environmental Sustainability is one challenge that confronts and unites us all 〞 across every faculty, service department and field of study. ※It is not just a buzzword: it is about building a future where all living creatures and our planet can thrive. We no longer ask how this is going to affect us. The question is rather, how we (collectively and individually) will respond. Because environmental sustainability starts here, with each one of us," she said.

Prof Smit said SU is taking action to move from sustainability as a strategic priority and enabler to a responsibility shared by all. ※Through our Environmental Sustainability Plan, we're aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. The good news is that we are already making inroads across our campus, which houses more than 487 buildings, where we are shifting to solar energy and launching water-wise initiatives, reducing waste to landfill across our campuses, and our faculties are researching green solutions.

※But the real power lies with you," she said. ※As students and staff, we are here together to shape our future. Let's heed the call that rivers weep and forests fade beneath the weight of choices we make."

Handing over the memorandum to Prof Smit, SU's Student Representative Council's sustainability portfolio manager, Ocean Postman, said SU is a place for students to develop holistically, have enriched academic experiences and become well-rounded citizens. ※Climate concerns us all and we would like to make this pledge along with the 万博体育官网 to commit to sustainability goals, as individuals and as a collective."

Christine Groenewald, SU's engagement officer for sustainability development, and our environmental sustainability manager, John de Wet, from Facilities Management, organised this celebration together with the SRC and other organisations on campus.?

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?Prof Bertie Fielding, Dean of the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网, delivered his inaugural lecture on Tuesday 22 April 2025. The title of his lecture was 'From pandemic to pandemic, and everything in between'.

Fielding spoke to the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about how his research improves our understanding of the way viruses interact with the body and supports the development of treatments for viral and bacterial infections.

Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.

I am a molecular biologist, mainly focused on studying human coronaviruses. My interest in this field began during my time as a research fellow in the Collaborative Antiviral Research Group at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore (2003每2006), where I studied the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome)-CoV virus that caused the outbreak of SARS. My lab also investigates the molecular basis of the medicinal properties of a South African plant called geelbos. Interestingly, these fields have now moved to a nexus where we are looking at medicinal plants to treat the coronavirus infections using nanoparticles.

How would you describe the relevance of your work?

My research focuses on the molecular biology of human coronaviruses, which is important for public health 〞 especially with the rise of new viral infections. It helps us better understand how viruses interact with the body and supports the development of treatments. I also study the medicinal plant geelbos, looking at its potential to treat major diseases like cancer and bacterial infections. Our work aims to understand what gives this plant its health benefits.

Looking back on the 万博体育官网 pandemic, what have been the most rewarding aspects of your research on human coronaviruses?

I believe my work 〞 especially on previous SARS-CoV viruses 〞 contributed to areas like diagnostics and surveillance. But what I found most rewarding was engaging with the public through various platforms to share current relevant scientific information during the pandemic. This helped counter the widespread misinformation, or what the World Health Organization called the 'infodemic'.

You're also exploring the use of nanoparticles to treat infections. What exciting developments do you see on the horizon?

I've collaborated on projects using nanoparticles to enhance immune responses against infections. These interdisciplinary efforts focus on developing new treatments by using nanotechnology to target pathogens and cancer more effectively. I'm especially interested in using nanotechnology to improve the effects of compounds we've identified from geelbos. However, our first step is to test the effectiveness of these antiviral and antibacterial compounds. If successful, this could lead to a broad-spectrum treatment for current and future coronaviruses.

Universities are sometimes seen as 'ivory towers'. Why is it important for them to engage with the public through research?

Public distrust in academic institutions 〞 particularly in research 〞 was already high a year or two before the pandemic. The mixed and often confusing messages from researchers during the pandemic likely made this worse. This has been further complicated by the easy access to information online, much of which is inaccurate. I believe researchers have a responsibility to communicate their work in ways that are accessible and understandable to the general public. It's also important to explain that science 每 especially in fields like medicine 每 is not always exact. What we share is based on the best available knowledge at the time and may change as new research emerges.

Being the dean of a faculty can be challenging at the best of times. What keeps you going when things get tough?

Engaging with staff and students to support them and to see people flourish and grow. This is also the reason I completed an MPhil in Management Coaching at Stellenbosch Business School. Listening to people and working with them to become their selves is rewarding.

How do you juggle your responsibilities as Dean with doing research?

I think most academics would agree that they are constantly busy. For me, careful planning is essential to make time for the things that matter and to maintain a sense of balance. I also try to remind myself that not everything requires an immediate response 每 some issues can wait, and it's important to prioritise thoughtfully.

What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

Impacting people and improving their wellbeing, be it through my research or leadership roles.

Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.

I love cooking. Similar to science, it's as simple as following a protocol.

How do you spend your free time?

I compete in road races, not well, but I try. And maybe compete is not the correct word; I complete road races and receive participation medals. ?

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The United Nations' Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Gandhi-Montessori-Luthuli Chair of Education for Peace and Transformative Solidarity is to be awarded to Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 (SU), South Africa. St Edmund's College, 万博体育官网 of Cambridge, England, will co-host the Chair.

Professor Alain Tschudin is the incumbent of the Chair, which will be located in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU with Prof Dorcas Ettang of the International Centre of Non-violence at the Durban 万博体育官网 of Technology, as the co-Chair. 

This UNESCO Chair, which has been awarded for four years, until June 2029, forms part of the global UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme. The Programme mobilises expertise of higher education and research institutions to address the interdependent challenges of today's increasingly complex world.

Established in 1992, the Programme has proven its value in advancing UNESCO's interdisciplinary knowledge generation and the Organisation's role as global observatory and as a laboratory of ideas. It spawned new teaching programmes, generated novel ideas through research and dialogue, and contributed to the enrichment of existing higher education partnerships and networks.

※It is humbling to receive this affirmation of the work we are doing," says Professor Tschudin. ※This award inspires us to deepen our transdisciplinary research and broaden our applied scholarship. It also motivates us to foster inclusive participation and to increase our social and environmental impact through a growing network of local and global partners."    

The Chair's work aligns closely with UNESCO's two global priority areas, ※Africa" and ※Gender Equality" and will focus on three inter-related areas:

1. Education for Peace
2. Human Rights for Social and Environmental Justice
3. Transformative Solidarity 

The Chair's mission is to promote a culture of peace through education 每 viewed by UNESCO as a cornerstone of sustainable development, poverty eradication and intercultural dialogue.

※This work is more relevant than ever," adds Tschudin, ※as we face escalating global challenges〞from climate change and conflict to displacement and economic uncertainty. That four of the five namesakes of the Chair 每 Albert and Nokukhanya Luthuli, Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi - have ties to South Africa, speaks volumes. The enduring friendship between the Gandhi and Luthuli families adds a profound human resonance. Maria Montessori, in turn, was one of UNESCO's co-founders.

※In an era of rising ethno-religious nationalism and threats to universal rights, education for peace and transformative solidarity must be at the forefront of our efforts to uphold human dignity and planetary integrity."

Responding to the announcement, Prof Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies at SU, said that we congratulate Professor Alain Tschudin and thank St Edmund's College, 万博体育官网 of Cambridge, for partnering with SU on the application. Our SU Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences will host the Chair and I also thank our new Dean, Prof Vasti Roodt and Karen Bruns, Senior Director, Development and Alumni Relations, for facilitating the process. The UNESCO Gandhi-Montessori-Luthuli Chair of Education for Peace and Transformative Solidarity falls within SU's Vision 2024, where SU is positioned to be Africa's leading research-intensive university, globally recognised as excellent, inclusive and innovative, where we advance knowledge in service of society.

The UNESCO Gandhi-Montessori-Luthuli Chair of Education for Peace and Transformative Solidarity is the third UNESCO Chair to be awarded to SU.  

END

MORE ABOUT UNESCO CHAIRS

A UNESCO Chair is a team led by a higher education or research institution that partners with UNESCO on a project to advance knowledge and practice in an area of common priority. There are currently some 1000 UNESCO Chairs and 45 UNITWIN Networks hosted in higher education institutions in 120 countries with some 10,000 individuals involved in the UNESCO Chairs programme.

A UNITWIN Network is a partnership between UNESCO and a network of higher education or research institutions of at least three institutions in different countries, at least two of which must be located in the Global South, and which pool their competencies and resources around particular theme(s).

The UNESCO Chairs and UNITWIN Networks act as think tanks and bridge-builders between the academic world, civil society, local communities, research and policymaking thereby strengthening UNESCO's research-training-policy-society nexus.

MORE ABOUT THE INCUMBENT

Professor Alain Tschudin completed his PhD in Psychology in 1999 through the then 万博体育官网 of Natal (The 万博体育官网 of Kwazulu-Natal) on the comparative evolution of social complexity and intelligence in dolphins and primates. In 2007, he completed his second PhD in moral philosophy and theology on the meaning of being, at the 万博体育官网 of Cambridge. Tschudin worked for the 万博体育官网 of Seville and the European Commission on a project to foster social integration and economic participation for immigrant and ethnic minorities in Spain. He later returned to South Africa and ran the Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies Programme at the 万博体育官网 of KwaZulu-Natal using dialogics to pursue solidarity among residents and refugees, along with peace, democratisation and human rights initiatives in marginal communities. Tschudin has done humanitarian work with Save the Children International, with UNICEF in the Central African Republic and served as the UN's inter-agency Child Protection Assessment Coordinator for Northern Syria. He was Executive Director of Good Governance Africa, a pan-African NGO, in Johannesburg, Professor in the WITS School of Governance and lead consultant for the UN Special Advisor on Africa on the nexus approach to fast-tracking the SDGs across Africa. Subsequently, Alain was Director of the International Centre of Nonviolence at the Durban 万博体育官网 of Technology. He has been a Visiting Fellow at the Graduate Institute in Geneva, Switzerland and is a Senior Research Associate at St Edmund's College, Cambridge. Since 2022, he has served voluntarily as President of the Association Montessori Internationale, the NGO set up by Dr Maria Montessori in 1929, headquartered in the Netherlands and he recently joined the Board of the Gor谷e Institute in Senegal.

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The Faculty of Education welcomed Prof Anass Bayaga, a distinguished academic and researcher, in April. Prof Bayaga has been appointed full professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies. Renowned for his pioneering work in Cognitive (Neuro) STEM Enhancement and Human-Computer Interaction, Prof Bayaga's innovative research spans mathematics education, information systems, actuarial science, and computational modelling, bridging pedagogy, technology, and cognitive science to advance STEM education within the dynamic context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Prof Bayaga's academic credentials are impressive, reflecting his commitment to multidisciplinary scholarship. He holds a PhD (Education) from the 万博体育官网 of Fort Hare (2011), a Postgraduate Certificate in Actuarial Science from the 万博体育官网 of Leicester (UK), as well as master's degrees in information systems and mathematics, and a Bachelor of Education Honours in Mathematics.

As the former leader of the Neuro-STEM Research Group at NMU, Professor Bayaga has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing cognitive processes through innovative technological tools. His research agenda is centred around cognitive enhancement through dynamic visual tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), MATLAB, GeoGebra, and blockchain technologies. He also explores human-computer interaction in STEM education, applying cutting-edge methodologies in e-learning, the metaverse, Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. Additionally, his expertise in predictive modelling, including the use of machine learning and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), contributes to improving educational outcomes. Through this comprehensive approach, Professor Bayaga integrates concepts such as spatial reasoning, memory retention, and computational thinking to optimize learning experiences, particularly for under-resourced communities.

Beyond his research contributions, Prof Bayaga has established himself as a respected leader within the academic community through his editorial roles and international collaborations. He serves as a Guest Editor for the South African Journal of Higher Education (Q2) and the International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science & Technology. Additionally, he is a member of the editorial boards for Computers in the Schools (Taylor & Francis) and African Perspectives of Research in Teaching and Learning.

Prof Bayaga's influence extends internationally through collaborative research engagements. As a Fulbright Scholar at George Washington 万博体育官网 (2016), he investigated mobile computing for STEM cognition. He has also been a visiting researcher at Ume? 万博体育官网 (Sweden), Michigan State 万博体育官网, and Appalachian State 万博体育官网 (USA). His work has garnered prestigious accolades, including the IEOM Outstanding Contributor Award (2023) and the NMU Excellence Researcher of the Year Award (2022, 2023), highlighting his continuous contributions to the advancement of STEM education.

An experienced educator and dedicated mentor, Prof Bayaga has supervised over fifteen PhD and Master's students. His teaching portfolio includes courses in neuro-cognitive mathematics, STEM pedagogy, educational technology, data science, actuarial modelling, and information security in e-learning. This extensive teaching experience underscores his commitment to developing the next generation of scholars and practitioners in his field.

"What I enjoy most about my work is the ability to blend innovation, theory, and impact〞particularly where education meets emerging technologies. I find deep satisfaction in exploring how cognitive processes in mathematics and STEM can be enhanced through digital tools such as AI, data modelling, and immersive technologies" Bayaga said. "Equally fulfilling is the opportunity to mentor students and collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and institutions, both locally and internationally. Whether it's supervising a student exploring neuro-cognitive pathways in learning, or working with a team to design AI-enhanced learning environments for under-resourced communities, I'm energised by the potential to create meaningful, context-responsive change in education."

Prof Bayaga's recent publications and projects further illustrate his dedication to enhancing educational outcomes through technology. His notable publications include ※Leveraging AI-enhanced and emerging technologies for pedagogical innovations in higher education" (2024, Education and Information Technologies), ※Enhancing M, Enhancing mathematics problem-solving skills in AI-driven environment: Integrated SEM-neural network approach" (Computers in Human Behaviour Reports, 2024), ※GeoGebra, a Dynamic Software for Conceptual Understanding and Visualisation - Multi-Directionality of Influence" (South African Journal of Higher Education, 2024). ※＃Correlation between metacognitive skills and conceptual understanding using self-organised learning environments pedagogy" (South African Journal of Education, 2024), ※Exploring the influence of Adaptive E-Learning Technology on Learners; Perceptions of Mathematical Modelling and Simulation in South African Schools" (Computers in the Schools, 2024), ※Predicting Mobile Learning Acceptance in Rural STEM Classrooms" (Computers & Education, 2021), and ※Cognitive Enhancement via Adaptive Learning Technologies" (IJTEL, 2020). His passion for community engagement is also evident through his establishment of the STEM Virtual Lab at NMU (stemvirtual.mandela.ac.za), a pioneering initiative designed to promote digital literacy in rural schools.

With his innovative research, extensive international collaborations, and dedication to teaching and mentorship, Prof Anass Bayaga exemplifies excellence at the intersection of cognitive science, technology, and education. His work continues to push the boundaries of STEM advancement, particularly for underserved communities, making him a valuable addition to the faculty and a thought leader in his field.

For further engagement, Prof Bayaga can be reached at abayaga@sun.ac.za. His professional profiles are available on Google Scholar, Scopus, and LinkedIn.

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Prof Marena Manley, of Stellenbosch 万博体育官网's Department of Food Science, has been named by the International Council for Near Infrared Spectroscopy (ICNIRS) as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Tomas Hirschfeld Award (THA) 每 making her the first South African to receive this honour.

Funded by Si-Ware Corporation, the award will be presented during the upcoming 22^nd International Conference on Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Conference (NIR2025) in Rome, Italy this June. The event promises to gather leading experts and enthusiasts from the NIR community worldwide to celebrate Manley's groundbreaking contributions.

The ICNIRS acknowledged on its website that competition this year was ※exceptionally competitive, with a remarkable pool of top candidates", underscoring the calibre of Manley's achievements in the field of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. ※The strength of this competition is a great sign for the future of our society and the continued growth of our field."

Manley, a leading researcher in food science, has significantly advanced the application of NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging, particularly in cereal grain research. Since joining SU in 1997, she has supervised over 75 postgraduate students, published 135 peer-reviewed papers, and helped position the 万博体育官网 as a leading NIR spectroscopy research hub in Africa.

Currently a full professor in SU's Faculty of AgriSciences, Manley has been instrumental in advancing NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging research. Her pioneering work has significantly influenced the understanding and application of these technologies, particularly in the characterisation of heterogeneous cereal samples. Manley's research group's contributions have extended to areas such as honey adulteration, sourdough maintenance, and chocolate refining, among others.

She also played a key role in establishing Africa's only Vibrational Spectroscopy Unit equipped with advanced hyperspectral imaging capabilities. Her efforts have not only elevated SU as a hub for NIR spectroscopy research in Africa, but also garnered international recognition, reflected in her impressive H-index (metric for productivity and impact of a scientist or scholar) of 39 (Scopus) and 47 (Google).

Manley has served in various leadership roles within ICNIRS and continues to contribute to the global spectroscopy community. In addition to this international recognition, she is a recipient of several national awards, including the SU's Chancellor's Award (2022) for her role as an educator and research excellence 每 specifically for contributing to the advancement of NIR spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging in South Africa and further afield. Other awards include the Medal of Honour of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology (2014) awarded by the South African Academy of Science and Arts for her contribution to the advancement in her research field as well as an Excellence Award for her NIR spectroscopy-based grain research in South Africa (2010).

In addition to her academic achievements, Manley has played pivotal roles in various NIR spectroscopy committees and conferences, including serving as the Conference Chair of the 15th ICNIRS Conference in Cape Town and currently as the upcoming Conference Chair of the 22nd International Diffuse Reflectance Conference (IDRC) taking place in Knoxville, USA in 2026.

※Receiving the THA is a personally meaningful moment in my career, and I am truly honoured. I hope to make Si-Ware Corporation, ICNIRS, and the NIR spectroscopy community proud," said Manley.

※This recognition is not mine alone 每 it is a reflection of the journey I have shared with so many. I am grateful to the mentors who guided me, to the colleagues and collaborators who believed in me and opened doors along the way, and to the incredible postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students I have had the privilege to work with. Their energy, ideas, and dedication have not only enriched my research but made my role as a supervisor one of the greatest joys of my professional life."

?Caption: Prof Manley at the March graduation with her postgraduate students.

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??The Faculty of Science takes pleas?ure in welcoming Mr Mbuso Dludlu as its new director of faculty management from 1 April 2025.

He will be taking over the reins from Ms Mari谷tta van den Worm who has held the position for the past 25 years, and who will retire at the end of 2025.

With over 16 years of experience in the higher education sector, the last six years as departmental manager of SU's Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, Mbuso says he is looking forward to combining his passion for science with management and leadership in his new position as faculty director.

Mbuso was born in Piet Retief in Mpumalanga, but raised by his late grandmother, Mrs Teressa Mazibuko, in a village called Makhosini outside the small town of Nhlangano in Eswatini. He completed a BSc in Chemical Technology at the 万博体育官网 of KwaZulu-Natal in 2008, followed by a Bachelor of Technology in Polymer Technology in 2014 and a Masters in Polymer Technology in 2016 from Tshwane 万博体育官网 of Technology (TUT). At the time, he was working as senior laboratory manager in TUT's Department of Mathematics, Science and Technology. It was during this time that he also lost both of his parents, Sizakele and Comfort Dludlu.

Currently pursuing a PhD in Polymer Science at SU, Mbuso says he will always be indebted to his grandmother for seeing to it that he got an education from selling handcrafts in the streets of Soweto and Johannesburg: ※She wasn't educated, but she valued the importance of education. Today I am passionate about education, and I strongly believe in lifelong learning. I think it is for this reason that I have a teachable spirit, which is key for leadership."

For the past 25 years, he has been providing career guidance to learners through the not-for-profit organisation ※Brighten-up your Future" which he established in 2007. He is also mentoring 12 university students at eight South African higher education institutions, pursuing studies in different fields 每 from the Sciences and Engineering to the Social Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences and Arts.

For his PhD, Mbuso is investigating the prevalence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as ※forever chemicals" because of their persistence in the environment, at wastewater treatment plants and rivers and dams in the Western Cape. The objective is to develop a polymeric membrane with nanoparticles for enhanced removals of these persistent chemicals. His research is funded by the Water Research Commission and has been presented at two international conferences and to a panel of 30 City of Cape Town managers.

Mbuso, who joined SU in 2018 shortly after completing his MBA at Regent Business School, says he is deeply indebted to all his colleagues in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, and specifically Prof. Peter Mallon, former executive head of department, who initially introduced him to the systems and processes at SU: ※Coming in here, I was only armed with my knowledge and skills, while Prof. Mallon had the experience and understanding. Over the next five years, we became a formidable management team, working together to put the department on a sustainable footing."

For now, he is excited about his new role as director of faculty management: ※I am grateful to be taking over from the current director, who is a wealth of experience and institutional memory. I would like to build on the foundation and legacy she has laid for the faculty and university over the past 25 years."

He is looking forward to working with and supporting the Dean of Science, Prof. Burtram Fielding, and the management team: ※To me, leadership and management are all about serving people to the best of your ability in order to create trust. Trust is a very special human experience. And we can only trust others when we know they are actively and consciously concerned about us," he adds.

For Mbuso, the values of compassion, empathy and respect are at the core of his concept of servant leadership. These values also happen to form part of SU's ECARE values of Excellence, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Equity: ※I will be taking these values with me in my new role, in service to my colleagues and contributing thus to the growth and success of the Faculty of Science."

Lastly, he honours his family and wife of 14 years, Mrs Lydia Dludlu, and his children Lwandzile (13) and Kagiso (9). The family loves hiking in the Helderberg Nature Reserve, travelling or inviting friends and family over for a braai. And, of course, nothing beats a refreshing beach walk, finished off with ice cream.

※My life is grounded in reading the Word and in prayer, which is one of the key underlying principles in my life and in raising my children," he concludes.

?Photo: Stefan Els

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Closer collaboration between different stakeholders is key to combatting crime in Stellenbosch. This was one of the main takeaways from the first Safety Imbizo held at the Stellenbosch Town Hall recently.

Hosted by Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 (SU)'s Student Representative Council (SRC) in response to crime in the town, the Imbizo was attended by the executive mayor of the Stellenbosch Municipality Jeremy Fasser, members of the mayoral committee, SU staff (amongst others Prof Richard Stevens, acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching) and students, representatives of the South African Police Service (SAPS), community safety forums, business owners and residents.

Among the concerns raised at the event were the decrease in police services, the shortage of prosecutors, the lack of 24-hour active law enforcement, social ills, the need to empower neighbourhood watches, turn-around times for investigations, and improving transport for students who live off-campus. Attendees agreed that these and other safety-related challenges would only be solved if all stakeholders in Stellenbosch work together.

The keynote speaker, Dr Vanya Gastrow from the Institute for Security Studies, echoed this sentiment when she emphasised the importance of stakeholder collaboration to address the issues of crime and safety.

※The objective of the Imbizo today is to gather stakeholders together and discuss the issue of safety in Stellenbosch. I think that is a good first step. Because before we can work together to develop strategies and decide what we want to do, it's important to clarify what has been done so far.

※I also think that sharing experiences and knowledge and identifying key parties and stakeholders could contribute ideas on what to do."

Gastrow added that it is important to consider two dimensions when addressing crime.

※The first one is addressing the complex causes of crime. So, this includes social problems, unemployment, poverty, education, early childhood development, public spaces, infrastructure.

※We also need to think not only about stakeholders involved in policing, but also those working to address underlying causes of crime. And this can help to build an integrated response to issues of crime and safety."

Without downplaying the impact of crime, Gastrow highlighted statistics which show that while there has been a spike in some crimes, others have decreased.

Dr Viljoen van der Walt, Director: Risk Management and Campus Security at SU, also mentioned that, contrary to popular belief, there has been a drop in crimes reported to Campus Security since 2016.

※It is not true that there's runaway crime. There are always risks. We're not blas谷 about crime. The 万博体育官网 management has never said they don't have money for security."

Van der Walt cautioned against the spread of false information about crimes on campus and in town. He acknowledged that more needs to be done to reach all students.

Mayor Fasser said the municipality did not want to hide behind the excuse that safety was not their mandate. Instead, they were looking at ways to use their resources more efficiently to improve law enforcement and upgrade security systems.

He also underlined the importance of stakeholder collaboration.

※I think the emphasis should be on the way forward where we as a municipality can get the input from all the stakeholders but more specifically also from the student community. The students are part of the town's livelihood, and you are also a big stakeholder in our town.  And that is something that is very important for this municipality."

Zahn Marais, Vice-Chairperson of the SRC Prim Committee, said ※it was amazing to see the willingness of all partners in the Stellenbosch area to take hands with the students and discuss common problems we all face and most importantly, solutions.

※Looking forward, we aim to work with the information we've gotten and create innovative solutions that assist with the transformative student experience."

Representatives of SAPS encouraged students to report crimes, look after their valuables and be vigilant.

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万博体育官网 of Stellenbosch Enterprises (USE) celebrated the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of its 35 spinout companies for their successes, adaptability and resilience at USE's annual CEO event. Hosted by USE and proudly sponsored by Von Seidels, the event highlighted the achievements of USE's portfolio of companies that, in just the first quarter of the year, have already exceeded R8 million in profits 每 surpassing the total from last year.

The evening also recognised outstanding achievements across the spinout portfolio, with six prestigious awards presented to exceptional CEOs. They were:

The Chairman's Award 每 Nanosene (Gest谷?l Kuyler)

Nanosene (Pty) Ltd, headed by G谷stel Kuyler, won the Chairman's Award, acknowledging the team's highest performance standards in advancing the company's objectives over the past year. Nanosene is Africa's first bespoke polymer supplier that focuses on developing and producing amphiphilic polymers to isolate molecular drug targets. This breakthrough technology can transform the world of medicine by empowering researchers and drug developers to explore new avenues for treating various diseases.

The COO Award 每 CubeSpace (Mike-Alec Kearney)

Mike-Alec Kearney, the CEO of CubeSpace, accepted this distinguished award, which was personally selected by Stellenbosch Unviersity's Chief Operating Officer (COO), Prof Stan du Plessis, recognising the spinout company for its demonstration of tremendous growth paired with excellent financial performance over the past year. CubeSpace (CS) is a globally recognised leader in Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS), supporting over 250 customers in more than 30 countries.

The Award for Sustainability and Impact (environmentally friendly initiatives) 每 SharkSafe Barrier (Sara Andreotti)

Sharksafe Barrier, represented by Sara Andreotti (their COO), received this award for outstanding commitment to environmentally friendly initiatives that create meaningful and measurable impact. The eco-friendly SharkSafe Barrier? biomimics the visual effect of a kelp forest (large marine seaweeds) and generates a strong magnetic field through ceramic magnets; this forms a double barrier (visual and magnetic) that keeps sharks from swimming through it.

The Award for Operational and Governance Excellence 每 Unistel Medical Laboratories (Leonora Theart)

This prestigious award was presented to Unistel Medical Laboratories and received by their CEO, Leonora Theart, for their exceptional achievement in establishing and maintaining superior operational frameworks and governance practices. The award celebrates the company's exemplary standards in business operations, strategic management, and corporate oversight. Unistel Medical Laboratories (Pty) Ltd. (UML) was founded in 1999 and is a dedicated human and animal genetics testing centre.

The Pivot Award - Special Award (for adapting to change) 每 Stellenbosch Nanofiber Company (Eugene Smit)

This distinctive award recognised Stellenbosch Nanofiber for their extraordinary adaptability and resilience in the face of change. It celebrates their successful business model transformation, strategy, and operations in response to evolving market conditions, technological disruption, and unforeseen challenges. The Stellenbosch Nanofiber company, headed by Dr. Eugene Smit, was founded in 2011. The company develops products at the cutting edge of nanoscience and technology. These technologies include two processes for high-throughput electrospinning of polymeric nanofibers, and a process for making continuous nanofiber yarns. The nanofiber materials produced using these processes can be applied in a broad range of areas, including high-performance filtration of liquids and gasses, biomedical materials, (including wound dressings, drug delivery materials, cell culture and tissue engineering scaffolds) energy, (including high-surface-area electrodes for next-generation batteries and fuel cells, battery separator membranes and supercapacitors) and lightweight structural composites (e.g. for automotive and aerospace applications).

The Deep Tech Award - SUN Magnetics (Coenrad Fourie)

SUN Magnetics received the Deep Tech Award, acknowledging its breakthrough innovations that represent truly world-class technological advancement. It recognises organisations developing impressive, cutting-edge technologies built upon profound scientific discoveries and engineering excellence. [PM1] With Coenrad Fourie at its helm, the company develops software for three-dimensional parameter extraction, simulation and analysis of superconductor integrated circuits and quantum electronics layouts.

Warm tribute

In a bittersweet moment, Anita Nel, Chief Director of the Innovation and Commercialisation Division, paid a warm tribute to Professor Stan du Plessis who will conclude his tenure as SU's Chief Operating Officer at the end of May 2025.

Prof. du Plessis' journey at SU spans over three decades, beginning in 1991 as a BCom Mathematics student. Years after he returned to SU as a Professor of Economics. Later he was instituted as the Dean of the SU Economics and Management Sciences Faculty, where he played a significant role in intensifying the faculty's research efforts and international competitiveness. Not only was Prof. du Plessis the first Dean to actively support SU's business incubator, the LaunchLab, he later became the chair of its board and was instrumental in formally integrating the LaunchLab into the university structure. He currently sits on the board of USE, which oversees the SU Group of Companies, until the end of his tenure. Nel said she will miss his wisdom, guidance and expertise.

In his final address to the spinout CEO's, du Plessis warned of the rising threat of Artificial Intelligence (AI) which generates deep fakes, referencing a spoofed message to a Ferrari executive and a manipulated video of Rory McIlroy, who won the Masters Tournament on Sunday, 13 April 2025.

※A deepfake is a highly realistic video, image, text, or voice that has been fully or partially generated using AI algorithms, machine learning techniques, and generative adversarial networks, or GANs. GANs are a type of AI model in which two neural networks, one generating content and the other evaluating it, compete to create highly realistic videos or audio that mimic real individuals. One network, called the generator, creates the fake media while the other, called the discriminator, evaluates how real or fake the generated content looks. This process continues until the generator produces media so realistic that the discriminator can no longer discern whether it's fake," explained du Plessis.

As AI becomes increasingly sophisticated, CEO's must become more aware of the technological threat posed by deepfakes, but also of the psychological vulnerabilities that make them effective. Du Plessis highlighted three key cognitive biases: Trust bias, confirmation bias, and our natural reliance on sensory information 每 all of which scammers exploit to deceive even the most seasoned leaders.

"We can no longer trust our eyes and ears, but we can trust our critical thinking," Du Plessis said, invoking the philosophy of science as a guiding principle for business leaders navigating uncertainty.

All of the visionaries celebrated at this annual event are supported and developed through SU's Innovation and Commercialisation Division's LaunchLab, the Innovus Technology Transfer Office and the USE Board. Together, they drive the transformation of cutting-edge research into companies that create a meaningful impact in our society.

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???World Creativity and Innovation Day was celebrated on 21 April. In opinion pieces for the media, experts at Stellenbosch 万博体育官网 focused on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our lives and also emphasised the importance of building innovative systems to address inequality and creating a more inclusive future. Click on the links below to read the articles as published.

• ?Dr Lize Barclay (Weekend Argus)
• Prof Willem Fourie (News24)
• Prof Sara Grobbelaar (Mail & Guardian)
  

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