talks@stellenboschuni: Recent Episodes
Stellenbosch University
Welcome to talks@stellenboschuni – Stellenbosch University’s Podcast where we talk about current topics and innovative research done at the University.
For more information, visit: www.sun.ac.za
In the 3rd episode of our 50th-anniversary podcast series ‘50things’, Doris Viljoen, current Director at the IFR, speaks to Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies at the Sejahtera Centre for Sustainability and Humanity and Professor, Tamkang University, Department of Education and Futures Design
In the 2nd episode of our 50th-anniversary podcast series ‘50things’, Doris Viljoen, current Director at the IFR, is in conversation with Prof Philip Spies, one of the founding Directors of the IFR. In this episode, Prof Spies shares more about the successes as well as the challenges of the early years and how futures thinking and futures research came to be at Stellenbosch University.
"Welcome to '50things,' a podcast series brought to you by the Institute for Future's Research (IFR) at Stellenbosch Business School as we celebrate our 50th anniversary. In each episode, we dive deep into the milestones, innovations, and people that have shaped our journey and the world around us. In this episode, Doris Viljoen, current Director at the IFR, in conversation with Prof Andre Roux, former Director of the IFR and current head of Teaching and learning at the Stellenbosch Business School, shares pivotal moments and ideas that define our institute. Enjoy!”
Marius Swart, from the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch at Stellenbosch University, shares insights on the "creative response" assignment as assessment method he developed, lessons learned from that and how students responded thereto.
On the 12th of November we celebrate Africa Universities’ Day which is hosted by the Association of African Universities (AAU) to create awareness on the importance of higher education , promote dialogue on how to improve higher education and to celebrate the success stories of higher education in Africa. To celebrate and contribute to this years’ theme, ‘AI in African Higher Education’, the Centre for Collaboration in Africa (CCA) at Stellenbosch University International (SUI), sat down with SU’s Dr Jan Petrus Bosman director of the Centre for Learning Technologies (http://www.sun.ac.za/clt) , to discuss the potentials, opportunities and risks of AI in African HE.
Dr. Elmien Sinclair, an educational psychologist and Head of the Unit for Academic Counselling and Development at the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at Stellenbosch University, shares some insights on the student experience of academic needs and challenges, also relating to assessment, and how to support students in navigating these challenges.
Charmaine van der Merwe, an academic advisor at the Centre for Teaching and Learning at Stellenbosch University, shares some ideas, thoughts and research on assessment culture and how it relates to transformative assessment.
Allison Mlitwa, a quality advisor at the Centre for Academic Planning and Quality Assurance at Stellenbosch University, shares her perspectives on the impact of quality evaluation, development and enhancement and how this can impact themain functions of the university, being teaching (including assessment), research and social impact.
Elzette le Roux used to work as an academic advisor (online learning) at the Centre for Learning Technologies at Stellenbosch University. She shares some perspectives on what "transformative assessment" means and how this approach to assessment could transform student learning.
Delicia Davids, an educator in the Faculty of Education at Stellenbosch University focuses on technology enhanced learning and how to integrate that in student learning. She shares her innovative ideas, thoughts and experiences on transformative assessment and how game-based assessment, like a virtual "escape room", supports students in assessing their learning.
Magriet de Villiers, an advisor at the Centre for Learning Technologies at Stellenbosch University, shares her view on academic integrity and the impact this "AI" has on assessment and artificial intelligence, the other"AI" in the room.
Prof. Hermann Swart, from the Department of Psychology at Stellenbosch University, shares his experience on adapting invigilated assessments to uninvigilated online multiple choice questions prior to and during COVID-19 and his lessons learned during this experience.
Is ChatGPT and AI the end of assessment as we know it? During this podcast Dr. Jan Petrus Bosman, director at the Centre for Learning Technologies at Stellenbosch University, shares his insights and perspectives on the impact of artificial intelligence, including generative AI like ChatGPT, on assessment and our responses thereto.
Prof. Karin Jacobs, from the faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University, shares alternative ways she viewed and engaged with assessing her students' learning. Karin also shares the challenges she experienced to change her perspective on assessment and how that influenced her approach to incorporate fun in assessing student learning.
The Gender, Work and Organization (GWO) conference will be hosted for the first time on African shores at Stellenbosch University from 28 to 30 June 2023. The GWO journal was the first to provide an arena dedicated to the debate and analysis of gender relations, the organization of gender, and the gendering of organizations. In this podcast, Prof. Anita Bosch from Stellenbosch Business School and the Academic Organiser of the conference speaks to Prof. Alison Pullen, Professor of Gender, Work, and Organization at Macquarie University and co-editor of the journal, about the upcoming conference.
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertainbusiness environments with the Innovation and Insights requiredto foster Transformation. In this podcast Dr Njeri Mwagiru speaks toJane Robertson, about the importance of reflective practice.
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertain business environments with the Innovation and Insights required to foster Transformation. In this podcast Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research, at the Stellenbosch Business School, speaks about how to spot a trend vs a fad and how this can help in making decisions.
Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever international day for global health. Since then, every year, on the 1st of December, people around the globe unite to observe World Aids Day. The Africa Centre for HIV/Aids Management at Stellenbosch University opened in 2003 to help address challenges in the fight against HIV and Aids through academic programmes. These programmes specifically look at managing HIV and Aids in the workplace. Dr Munya Saruchera, Interim Director and Senior Lecturer at the Centre tells us more.
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertain business environments with the Innovation and Insights required to foster Transformation. In this podcast Dr Njeri Mwagiru, Senior Futurist at the Institute for Futures Research, at the Stellenbosch Business School, speaks to Dr Jako Volschenk, Head of the MBA at Stellenbosch Business School and faculty member at the Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development, on how organizations’ can best align and pivot their business stragtegy in the context of complexity, uncertainty and rapid change.
Casual Day (2 September) is celebrated annually in South Africa on the first Friday in September to raise awareness about the challenges persons with disabilities face and the need to advocate for their full inclusion in society. In this podcast, Dr Callista Kahonde from the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies talks about persons with intellectual disability’s right to sexual autonomy and sexuality education, and how family caregivers help to protect this right.
Maties Sport has embarked on providing diverse opinions on topics affecting our South African sporting environment, in this podcast we touch on the media landscape.
In conversation is Dr Nana Adom-Aboagye (Acting Head: Centre for Sport Leadership at Maties Sport) and Ms Kimara Singh (Media and Communications Manager at Maties Sport), engage with us by getting in touch on our social media pages on Facebook/Twitter and Instagram @MatiesSport.
Maties Sport strives towards thought leadership and action, which includes engaging on topics that people want to hear and talk about.
Maties Sport has embarked on providing diverse opinions on topics affecting our South African sporting landscape, this week we touch on true inclusion in sport and the media landscape.
Our inaugural podcast has Dr Nana Adom-Aboagye (Acting Head: Centre for Sport Leadership at Maties Sport) and Ms Kimara Singh (Media and Communications Manager at Maties Sport) will be discussing these pertinent topics.
Climate change: the sound of young African voices
Loud and clear. That is the sound of young African voices in the global debate on climate change. We talk today to four postgraduate students who have been selected to participate in a youth climate leadership training project launched by the Global Alliance of Universities of Climate (GAUC). Stellenbosch University is the only university representing Africa in this alliance.
They are Yenziwe Mbuyisa, Nosipho Gqaleni, Kay Murray and Olivia Jones, all postgraduate students in the Department of Botany and Zoology
Klimaatsverandering: die klank van jong Afrika-stemme
Helder en duidelik. Dit is die klank van jong Afrika-stemme in die globale debat oor klimaatsverandering. Ons gesels vandag met vier nagraadse studente wat gekies is om deel te neem aan ’n klimaatsleierskapsprogram wat op die jeug gefokus is, aangebied deur die Global Alliansie van Universiteite vir Klimaat (GAUC). Die Universiteit Stellenbosch is die enigste Universiteit in die alliansie wat Afrika verteenwoordig.
Hulle is Yenziwe Mbuyisa, Nosipho Gqaleni, Kay Murray en Olivia Jones, almal nagraadse studente in die Departement Plant- en Dierkunde.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa and on the 9th we celebrate Women’s Day. In this podcast, Dr Mamello Nchake from the Department of Economics talks about some of the challenges that women in agriculture and agribusiness (women agri-preneurs) face and possible ways to help them overcome these barriers.
Carine Marks and Arina du Plessis at the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre serve a range of communities across South Africa and the continent as there are only 7 Poison Information Centres (PICs) currently in all of Africa.
To grow the availability of trained poison information specialists, they are driving signups for the Hybrid Learning Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Toxicology.
The poison info centre is key to save lives through their cross disciplinary knowledge of medicine and pharmacology, and local contexts, also considering drug fads and typical household chemicals which often impact young children.
More information:
https://hybridlearning.sun.ac.za/pgdiptox/
&
http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/healthsciences/Clinical%20Pharmacology/Poison%20Information%20Centre/Pages/About-us.aspx
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertain business environments with the Innovation and Insights required to foster Transformation. In this podcast Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research, at Stellenbosch Business School, shares some insights on how one can move from sensing to sense-making to change making.
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertain business environments with the Innovation and Insights required to foster Transformation. In this podcast Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research, at the Stellenbosch Business School, speaks to Thys Pretorius, Learning Process Facilitator at Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development, about seeing a problem on a continuum from simple to complex and thereby knowing which actions to take in addressing the specific problem.
For many young South Africans, it’s probably hard to get excited about the annual Youth Day (16 June) celebrations when they can’t even get a decent job. In this podcast, Prof Dieter von Fintel from the Department of Economics addresses the high unemployment rate among the youth and also offers some suggestions to help young people find work.
The “IT” series is designed to help you navigate complex, volatile and uncertain business environments with theinnovation and insights required to foster transformation. In this podcast Doris Viljoen, Director of the Institute for Futures Research, at the Stellenbosch Business School, will share the guide to playing the FLIP-IT game, that she designed.
FLIP-IT is a game that unlocks innovative ideas, and asks participants to imagine next ways to do business from fresh perspectives.
The potential economic impact of the polyphagous shot hole borer in South Africa amounts to a whopping R275 billion over the next ten years, if nothing is done to stem the tide. The shot hole borer was first detected in South Africa in 2012 and has since spread to eight of South Africa’s nine provinces, making it the largest current outbreak of this invasive pest globally. In this podcast, ecologists and an economist from Stellenbosch University explain why the impact of the polyphagous shot hole borer is not only an ecological, but also an economic problem.
Speakers:
Prof Francois Roets, Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Faculty of AgriSciences
Prof Brian van Wilgen, Center for Invasion Biology, Faculty of Science
Prof Martin de Wet, School for Public leadership, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences
South Africans have been living with loadshedding for years now and there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel. In this podcast, Prof Sampson Mamphweli, Director of the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, talks about our continuing electricity woes and how renewable energy could help us resolve this crisis.
World Hypertention Day is observed every year on 17 May and aims to communicate to the public the importance of hypertension and to provide information on prevention, detection and treatment.
Dr Lynne Julie, a general practitioner at the Stellenbosch University Campus Health Service talks about this condition.
On Wednesday 27 April South Africans celebrate Freedom Day. In this podcast, Prof Reggie Nel, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, talks about whether the concept of freedom still has meaning for us today and what a future vision of a free South Africa should look like.
World TB day is commemorated every year on 24 March to raise public awareness and understanding about Tuberculosis. Although TB is a curable disease, many survivors of TB will continue to suffer from Post-TB Lung Disease. Professor Brian Allwood, Associate Professor in the Division of Pulmonology at the Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences tells us more about Post-TB Lung Disease.
International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March. In this podcast, Dr Efua Prah from the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology talks about why we need to change the conversations about women’s reproductive health which is still considered a taboo subject in some societies.
In 2022, World Wildlife Day (Thursday 3 March) is celebrated under the theme “Recovering key species for ecosystem restoration”. In this podcast, marine biologist Dr Sara Andreotti from the Evolutionary Genomics Group in the Department of Botany and Zoology talks about the conservation of sharks and why this is important for the restoration of the marine ecosystem.
February is Rare Disease Month with Rare Disease Day being observed on the 28th. In this podcast, Prof Shahida Moosa (Tygerberg Hospital / Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics / Research Group on Rare Disease Genomics in South Africa) talks about the importance of paying more attention to rare diseases and supporting families and individuals affected by these neglected conditions.
Social media handles
@RareGenomicsRSA
@shahida_moosa
@SuMBHG
DrShahidaMoosa
MBHG
SuMBHG
RareDisease Genomics
@sumbhg
Tiktok
@sumbhg
Census 2022, South Africa’s fourth census since 1994, is currently underway. In this podcast, Dr Collette Schulz-Herzenberg from the Department of Political Science talks about why it is important for South Africans to participate in the census.
World Aids Day is observed annually on the 1st of December. In this podcast, Prof Amy Slogrove from the Department of Paediatrics & Child Health talks about why it is important to improve outcomes for children who are “HIV-exposed and HIV-free”.
Stellenbosch University is encouraging staff and students to get vaccinated.
As part of this commitment to ensuring a safer campus environment and community, the University has provided access to vaccinations at the Lentelus clubhouse at the University’s soccer complex in Hammanshand Road in Stellenbosch. The university has also rolled out pop up vaccination sites on the Stellenbosch campus. This process is managed by the university’s Campus Health Service. In this podcast, Dr Craig Thompson, the Director of Medical Services at Campus Health shares why it is important to get vaccinated.
On Monday 1 November, South Africans will go to the polls to elect their local representatives. In this podcast, Dr Harlan Cloete from the School of Public Leadership talks about why local government matters, what the political landscape may look like after the elections, and what we can do to make sure political parties deliver on their promises.
The Centre For Student Leadership, Experiential Education and Citizenship (CSLEEC) is celebrating its fifth anniversary of excellence in student leadership. This discussion focuses on the work of the Centre for Student Leadership, Experiential Education and Citizenship in contributing to the development of student leadership, and a sneak preview of the activities that are planned in celebration of the 5thanniversary of the Centre.
Saturday 16 October is World Food Day. In this podcast, food scientist and PhD student in the Department of Food Science Melvi Todd talks about the use of health claims on food labels and the challenges related to this.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast we talk to counselling psychologist, Mari O’Reilly, about coping with stress and anxiety during exams.
Tuesday (5 October) was World Teachers’ Day. In this podcast, Prof Maureen Robinson, Acting Vice-Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Education, talks about how universities and schools can support student teachers.
In celebration of the opportunities and possibilities multilingualism gives us, the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement is hosting a Language Day conference on 30 September. As part of this celebration of multilingualism, we will be speaking to several Stellenbosch staff members who are involved in language activities at the University.
Prof Mbulungeni Madiba is the Dean of the Faculty Education and has published widely on multilingual education and language planning and policy. He shares his views on multilingualism in education.
In celebration of the opportunities and possibilities multilingualism gives us, the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement is hosting a Language Day conference on 30 September. As part of this celebration of multilingualism, we will be speaking to several Stellenbosch staff members who are involved in language activities at the University.
Dr Kim Wallmach is the Director of the Stellenbosch University Language Centre. The centre offers research-based, language-related products and services to people with diverse education backgrounds, so that they can enhance their communication skills. Dr Wallmach shares her language journey and views on multilingualism.
In celebration of the opportunities and possibilities multilingualism gives us, the Division for Learning and Teaching Enhancement is hosting a Language Day conference on 30 September. As part of this celebration of multilingualism, we will be speaking to several Stellenbosch staff members who are involved in language activities at the University.
Sanet de Jager, an interpreter at the Stellenbosch University Language Centre shares her language journey and what multilingualism means to her.
Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, are intended to be achieved by 2030. In this podcast, Anika Berning from the Department of Business Management talks about how non-profit organisations can help their own countries accomplish the SDGs.
Stellenbosch University
Some people refuse outright to be vaccinated, while others remain hesitant citing concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. In this podcast, Prof Wolfgang Preiser from the Division of Medical Virology talks about vaccines and tries to allay these concerns.
Stellenbosch University
Wednesday 8 September was International Literacy Day. In this podcast, Danelda van Graan from the Stellenbosch University Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) talks about how they are helping to improve the literacy and digital skills of children in farm schools.
Stellenbosch University recently launched its own vaccination site at Lentelus clubhouse for its staff, students and members of the public. In this podcast, Dr Pierre Viviers, Senior Director of Campus Health Services, talks about the day-to-day operations at the site and also why it’s important for people to pop in and get vaccinated.
Friday 3 September is Casual Day. In this podcast, Dr Michelle Botha from the Institute for Life Course Health Research makes the point that while charitable appeals are important to support people with disabilities ̶ particularly visually impaired people ̶ , they should not rely on messaging that perpetuates negative ideas about disability.
Stellenbosch University
Discrimination, patriarchy, bias and harmful social norms are just some of the obstacles women face when they want to enter and advance in the field of science. In celebration of Women’s Month, Hannah Simba, who is a PhD student in Public Health, talks about what needs to be done to get more women into science.
Stellenbosch University
Young women and adolescent girls in countries like South Africa are more vulnerable to HIV infection due to biological, social and cultural factors. In celebration of Women’s Month, Dr Gonasagrie Nair from the Centre for Medical Ethics and Law talks about how these women and girls can be empowered to choose HIV prevention options that will work for them.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University houses unique programmes in South Africa, including the BCom International Business programme. In this podcast we talk to Professor Pierre Erasmus for more information about this degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Some people suffer from symptoms long after the acute phase of Covid-19 (long-Covid). These symptoms may last for weeks or even months. In this podcast, Prof Renata Schoeman from the University of Stellenbosch Business School talks about what employers need to do to support employees suffering from long-Covid when they return to work.
Many of South Africa’s municipalities have become dysfunctional. In this podcast, Dr Harlan Cloete from the School of Public Leadership talks about the government’s District Development Model and whether it will be the panacea for local government ills.
Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch University houses unique programmes in South Africa, including the BScAgric Grapevine & Wine Sciences programme. In this podcast we talk to Prof Maret du Toit for more information about this degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Covid-19, civil unrest, looting and violence have hit us hard and we’re desperately searching for ways to recover. Offering useful tips of how this could be done, Dr Morne Mostert from the Institute for Futures Research argues in this podcast that we should reinvent ourselves and be creative in the recovery process instead of reverting back to how things were before these crises.
Stellenbosch University houses unique programmes in South Africa, including the BAccLLB programme. In this podcast we talk to Silke de Lange for more information about this degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Sunday (11 July) was African Anti-Corruption Day. In this podcast, Dr Chris Jones from the Unit for Moral Leadership talks about corruption in Africa and what needs to be done to combat it.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University offers three different programmes in accounting. In this podcast we talk to Adrian Samuel for more information about these degrees.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Stellenbosch University recently introduced the Bachelor of Data Science programme. In this podcast we talk to Prof Paul Mostert for more information about the degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Stellenbosch University offers various programmes in the discipline of Disaster Risk Reduction which leads to a broad range of career opportunities. In this podcast we talk to Dr Robyn Pharaoh for more information on this field.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
The proposed amendments to the Firearms Control Act have led to an outcry from pro-firearm lobby groups. In this podcast, Dr Guy Lamb from the Department of Political Science talks about firearm violence and control in South Africa and the role of legislation and policing in this regard.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University offers various programmes in the discipline of Urban and Regional Planning which leads to a broad range of career opportunities. In this podcast we talk to Dr Anele Horn for more information on this field.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Dr Njeri Mwagiru from the IFR and Joni Karjalained from the Finland Futures Research Centre explains what they do at workshops and conferences to help us understand and imagining the new normal.
For more information email: heilet@ifr.sun.ac.za
Interviewer: Chantal Swart from the Institute for futures research
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) will come into effect fully on Thursday 1 July 2021. In this podcast, Jerall Toi, one of Stellenbosch University’s two deputy information officers, touches on the issue of privacy and how it will be impacted by POPIA.
Mr David Baker Effendi, an MSc-student in Computer Sciences at Stellenbosch University, has received an Amazon Research Award based on his innovative research in program analysis with applications in bug-finding and cybersecurity.
The Amazon Research Awards include cash and Amazon Web Services (AWS) promotional credits for making use of Amazon's cloud computing resources. David says the award will help to cover his tuition fees and living expenses but, most importantly, it will provide him with much needed computing resources for his experiments and research.
In his research, under the supervision of Prof Brink van der Merwe, David combines graph theory and machine learning for automated vulnerability detection in software. His research thus far has led to collaboration with Dr Fabian Yamaguchi, chief researcher at the code security platform ShiftLeft, and the introduction of a computer security module on Honors level at Stellenbosch University.
Full story: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8256
Students and Learners may experience anxiety around dealing with Mathematics during tests and examinations. In this podcast we talk to Dr Karin-Therese Howell who provides us with some advice on the matter.
Wednesday 16 June is Youth Day. In this podcast, Prof Dion Forster from the Department of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology talks about the importance of this day and why the term ‘born free’ is problematic when used as a reference to today’s young people.
Stellenbosch University
Janine Nel and Zanne Horrell from Teach the Future SA, reflects in light of the South African youth and youth day in June. You can contact them via email at janine@teachthefuturesa.orgor zanne@teachthefuturesa.org
Statistics South Africa’s latest labour force survey showed that the official unemployment rate rose to a record-high of 32.6% in the first quarter of 2021. That’s about 2.5 percentage points higher than during the first quarter of 2020. In this podcast, Lisette IJssel de Schepper from the Bureau for Economic Research unpacks the data and also talks about how unemployment could be reduced.
Stellenbosch University offers various programmes in the discipline of Physical Geography which leads to a range of career opportunities. In this podcast we talk to Dr Suzanne Grenfell for more information on this field.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities
Chantal Vigus, the online marketing specialist from the Institute for Futures Research interviews Heilet Bertrand, the marketing manager for the IFR to discuss more about Futures thinking methods and the workshops.
www.ifr.sun.ac.za
heilet@ifr.sun.ac.za
Next workshop signup link: https://usb.events.idloom.com/futures-methods-workshop-2-2021
Saturday 5 June is World Environment Day. In this podcast, Prof Chris Reddy from the Department of Curriculum Studies talks about the major environmental challenges we face and what we can do to address them.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University (SU) hopes to launch a social impact initiative soon to help the small community of Faure rebuild their forgotten village and restore its natural environment.
The project, which will cost an estimated R1,5 million, will be driven by Dr Willem de Clercq and Ms Marlene de Witt of SU’s Water Institute. “Our aim is to rediscover this lost village situated next to the R102 highway between Somerset West and Kuils River,” explains De Clercq. “We hope to involve the staff and students of various SU departments as well as government, the private sector and other communities to bring economic, social and environmental upliftment to Faure. We expect the project to run for approximately five years.”
Since most flowers consist of both male and female parts, they can potentially mate with themselves (self-pollination) or a different plant (outcrossing). But does this process only happen by chance?
While plants are often viewed as relatively passive participants in their own mating process, simply waiting for the birds and the bees to distribute their pollen for them, researchers from Stellenbosch University believe they have found (more) evidence of female choice in plants. In this podcast, Prof Bruce Anderson from the Department of Botany and Zoology will talk about this phenomenon, and how they managed to describe it using different colored quantum dots to track pollen movement between Wachendorfia paniculata flowers and their pollinators.
On Tuesday 25 May we celebrate Africa Day. In this podcast, Dr Chris Jones from the Unit of Moral Leadership talks about some of the challenges regarding democracy, governance, development, and economic conditions that many African countries will have to overcome if they want to achieve lasting prosperity.
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Since some children in South Africa don’t have books at home or at school, it’s not surprising that they struggle to read well enough to expand their knowledge of the world. In this podcast, Dr Zelda Barends from the Department of Curriculum Studies talks about how the I CAN READ programme helps to improve the reading and writing skills of learners.
Stellenbosch University.
With fake news, conspiracy theories and anti-vaxxers on the rise, Prof Faadiel Essop from the Department of Physiological Sciences and the Centre for Cardio-metabolic Research in Africa reflects on what this means for the future of science in a post-truth world.
Monday 3 May is World Press Freedom Day. In this podcast, Dr Marenet Jordaan from the Department of Journalism and Alexander Brand, Editor-in-chief of the student-run community news publication MatieMedia, talk about how ordinary South Africans can help to uphold media freedom and protect it against a diverse array of threats.
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Saturday 1 May is International Workers’ Day. In this podcast, Dr Daniel le Roux from the Cognition and Technology Research Group talks about the impact of automation in the workplace and what we can do to cope with it.
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The theme for this year’s World Intellectual Property Day (Monday 26 April) is “IP & SMEs: Taking your ideas to market”. In this podcast, CEO of the Stellenbosch University LaunchLab Josh Romisher talks about how this incubator and entrepreneurial services platform helps to turn ideas, research and intellectual property into high-impact and sustainable companies.
Wednesday (26 April) is World Creativity and Innovation Day. In this podcast, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies Prof Eugene Cloete highlights the importance of innovation and creativity in research and entrepreneurship.
Dr Morne Moster, the director for The Institute for futures research, shares his thought on creativity.
Heilet Bertrand, the marketing manager of the IFR, explains what the IFR does and why their existence is so important.
Links: The future of work report: http://www.foresightfordevelopment.org/library/download-file/46-1466/54
Heilet email address: heilet@ifr.sun.ac.za
Web address: www.ifr.sun.ac.za
Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/instituteforfuturesresearch
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/15202725
In this podcast we discuss what Teach the future does and how important foresight is for students and school leaners. Janine Nel is a futures study alumnus and one of the directors of Teach the Future SA.
Website is http://teachthefuturesa.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teachthefuturesa
Stellenbosch University
Today (7 April) is World Health Day. In this podcast, Prof Resia Pretorius from the Department of Physiological Sciences tells us more about lifestyle diseases and why it’s so important that we identify our risk for these illnesses early.
Stellenbosch University
Chantal Vigus, the online marketing specialist from the Institute of Futures Research at the University of Stellenbosch business school, interviews Prof Andre Roux, the head of the futures studies program and principal lecturer in economics at the USB about foresight. What it means, significance and the importance thereof.
Wednesday (24 March) is World Tuberculosis Day. In this podcast, Dr Karen du Preez, who is a clinical researcher at the Desmond Tutu TB Centre in the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, talks about specific measures that can help to improve TB care for children.
Stellenbosch University.
Sunday 21 March is Human Rights Day. In this podcast, Prof Reggie Nel, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, talks about the key issues that should receive attention on this year’s Human Rights Day. He also reflects on the role that young people from different faith communities can play in promoting human rights.
Stellenbosch University
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month with World Head Injury Awareness Day being observed on Saturday 20 March. In this podcast, Emma du Preez from Campus Health Services sheds more light on the symptoms and potential long-term effects of concussion, and also how it can be prevented.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast, Prof Geo Quinot from the Department of Public Law argues that, given the challenges around public procurement in South Africa, serious questions have to be asked about the way our government is procuring the vaccines and services needed to vaccinate the population.
Stellenbosch University
World Wildlife Day is observed annually on March 3. In this podcast, Dr Francis Vorhies from the African Wildlife Economy Institute talks about how linking the economy with wildlife in Africa can promote development in rural areas, boost food security and conserve wildlife.
Stellenbosch University
The Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni delivered his 2021 Budget Speech on Wednesday. In this podcast, Hugo Pienaar, who is the chief economist at the Bureau for Economic Research, assesses the budget and talks about how it will impact the average South African.
Stellenbosch University
South Africa’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout has started, but many citizens still remain skeptical about taking their jabs. In this podcast, Prof Mark Tomlinson from the Institute for Life Course Health Research in the Department of Global Health sheds more light on vaccine hesitancy and how we can overcome it.
Stellenbosch University
Saturday (20 February) is World Day of Social Justice. In this podcast, Prof Ronelle Burger from the Department of Economics and RESEP (Research on Socioeconomic Policy Group) talks about how the bias in data availability perpetuates social injustice and existing inequalities.
Stellenbosch University
Thursday (11 February) is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In this podcast, Dr Taime Sylvester, who is a postdoctoral research fellow at the South African Medical Research Council’s Centre for TB Research in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, speaks about the importance of addressing the gender gap in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Stellenbosch University
Today (4 February) we observe World Cancer Day. In this podcast, Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht, who leads the Cancer Research Group in the Department of Physiological Sciences, highlights some of the advances in personalised medicine and biotechnology that are offering new hope for cancer patients.
Stellenbosch University
As a registered social worker but also a person with a disability, Noreth Muller-Kluits always knew it was her calling to facilitate change and help address the needs of persons with disabilities. She recently graduated with a PhD in Social Work, and in this podcast talks about her doctoral research, which focused on the experiences of adults with an acquired physical disability on social work support in a South African context.
Prof Arnold Schoonwinkel, Vice-Rector for Learning and Teaching, will retire at the end of 2020 after a long and distinguished career at Stellenbosch University. In this podcast, he reflects on the highlights and challenges.
It’s important for companies to rotate from audit firms after a certain period of time. In this podcast, Prof Nicolene Wesson from the Stellenbosch University Business School sheds more light on mandatory audit firm rotation and what this means for South Africa.
Thursday (3 December) is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. In this podcast, Dr Marcia Lyner-Cleophas from the Disability Unit reflects on what the pandemic has taught us in terms of removing the barriers that prevent people with disabilities from participating meaningfully in all spheres of society.
Gender-based violence (GBV) continues unabated in South Africa, even during the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children (25 Nov-10 Dec). In this podcast, Prof Juliana Claassens from the Gender Unit in the Faculty of Theology talks about the possibility of looking at both biblical and contemporary trauma narratives to deal with GBV in our society.
Stellenbosch University
Researchers at Stellenbosch University (SU) are searching for the safest and most effective treatment for babies at high risk of contracting HIV.
“Babies with HIV constitute a small proportion of the HIV-positive population, and only a few antiretroviral drug formulations and little pharmacokinetic data are currently available to inform optimal treatment,” says Prof Adrie Bekker of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS). “We have made significant progress in the field of HIV, but a gap remains regarding optimal prevention and treatment of babies born to women with HIV.”
Bekker and Dr Tim Cressey from Chiang Mai University in Thailand are the principal investigators of the PETITE study, evaluating the pharmacokinetics and safety of a novel fixed-dose combination (FDC) 4-in-1 granule formulation (abacavir/lamivudine/lopinavir/ritonavir) in neonates exposed to HIV. The study is funded by Unitaid as apart of the larger BENEFIT Kids project led by SU’s Desmond Tutu TB Centre. The BENEFIT Kids project primarily aims to improve children’s access to better treatment as well as the prevention of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and has included this complementary and vitally important study for this much neglected population of infants.
Prof Anita Cloete is an associate professor at Stellenbosch University's Faculty of Theology, whose research and teaching is focused on youth, youth culture as well as religion and media. Cloete shares more insight into her life, work and mission to help educate and empower South Africa's youth through teaching and research within the discipline of practical theology.
In this podcast, Ms Tonia Overmeyer, The Director for the Centre for Student Leadership, Experiential Education and Citizenship, as well as the Dean of Students at Stellenbosch University provides more insights into the recent name change of the Centre. She provides insights into the vision of the Centre as well as the importance of experiential learning as a key element in student development. Finally, Ms Overmeyer outlines the roles and offerings of the various departments within the Centre for Student Leadership, Experiential Education and Citizenship.
Stellenbosch University.
World Children’s Day is commemorated in November with South Africans observing National Children’s Day on the first Saturday of the month. In this podcast, Prof Mark Tomlinson from the Institute for Life Course Health Research talks about children’s rights and what’s needed to make them a reality.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast, Stellenbosch University (SU) Registrar Dr Ronel Retief talks about how SU’s new information system SUNStudent will change the institution’s academic administration, improve services and create a better user-experience for staff and students.
In this podcast we talk to Ms. Ruth Andrews about the upcoming Stellenbosch University Experiential Education Conference.
For more information visit: www.sueec.com
Experiential Education as Pedagogy for Social Justice: praxis and practice for shaping 21st century global citizen-leaders.
The purpose of this higher educational conference is to explore emerging trends and transitions in the higher education experiential education domain and the intersections thereof with social justice and the formation of the global citizen-leader.
Stellenbosch University offers career assessments at the Centre for Student Recruitment and Career Advice. In this podcast we talk to Ms Marichen Klaver for more information about these assessments.
The Ombud has for long served as an independent channel through which people can seek help. The Stellenbosch University Ombud, Adv. Rina Meyer, is an independent person appointed to facilitate the informal resolution of concerns regarding the University. Meyer shares more insight to the work her office does at the university.
Musicologist turned archivist Dr Lizabé Lambrechts works as a popular music and cultural heritage researcher and practitioner. For the past ten years, she has worked as a researcher and as an archivist, building and maintaining one of the biggest and fastest growing popular music archives in South Africa, the Hidden Years Music Archive, at Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch University
Dr Marcela Espinaze has always been passionate about wildlife conservation. Her current postdoctoral research investigates the influence of nest types, and their associated microclimatic conditions, on ectoparasite populations in African penguins in South Africa. In this podcast, Espinaze talks about the conservation of African penguins and the parasites that threaten the survival of animal species.
Stellenbosch University
Monday 5 October is World Teachers’ Day. In this podcast, Prof Maureen Robinson from the Department of Curriculum Studies talks about the challenges that student teachers face during the pandemic and how this might influence teacher education in the future.
Stellenbosch University
September is Heritage Month with festivities reaching a crescendo on Heritage Day (24 September). In this podcast, Dr Leslie van Rooi, Senior Director: Social Impact and Transformation, reflects on the issue of heritage and how South Africans should celebrate it.
Stellenbosch University
September is Heart Awareness Month with World Heart Day being celebrated on 29 September. In this podcast, Dr Jo-Anne Kirby of Campus Health Service/the Institute for Sports and exercise Medicine talks about why it is so important to create awareness about good heart health and how Campus Health Service is making a contribution in this regard.
Stellenbosch University.
On Monday (21 September), people around the world celebrate the International Day of Peace. In this podcast, Prof Lindy Heinecken from the Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology speaks about the meaningful contribution female soldiers can make to peacekeeping operations around the world.
Stellenbosch University.
Research for Impact is one of Stellenbosch University (SU)’s core strategic themes in terms of which the institution wants to advance knowledge in service of society. In this podcast, Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, tells us more about how the different divisions in his responsibility centre help promote research outputs and innovation at SU to ensure it becomes Africa’s leading research-intensive university and brings about economic and/or social improvement in the country.
Stellenbosch University recently introduced a new stream Data Engineering under the BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering programme. In this podcast we talk to Prof Herman Engelbrecht for more information about the degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still impossible for students to study abroad. But, says DVC for Strategy and Internationalisation Prof Hester Klopper, that does not mean internationalisation at SU has halted.
Stellenbosch University, Deputy Vice Chancellor.
In celebration of International Literacy Day (8 September), Dr Pauline Hanekom from the Stellenbosch University Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP) talks about why it so important for our learners/students to have the necessary digital literacy skills.
Stellenbosch University recently introduced an interdisciplinary BSC degree in Applied Medicinal Chemistry. In this podcast we talk to Maambele Khosa for more information about the degree.
'Not sure what to study?' is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Stellenbosch university recently introduced an interdisciplinary BSC degree in Biomedical Mathematical Science. In this podcast we talk to Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht for more information about the degree.
What to study is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
Higher educational institutes all over the world, including Stellenbosch University, went through some stormy waters to continue with teaching while the COVID-19 pandemic forced everyone to stay indoors. Lecturers and students have learned some lessons on how to continue under these difficult circumstances with teaching and learning. Dr Mags Blackie, a senior lecturer in chemistry, has also learned some lessons and thanks to her problem-solving mindset created new teaching methods that also support the learning capabilities of students. Angelique Dreyer interviews Dr Blackie, who will share her experience with us.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Prof Anita Bosch from the University of Stellenbosch Business School talks about the gender pay gap in South Africa and why more transparency is needed in this regard.
Prof Ronelle Burger is a researcher and lecturer in the Department of Economics at Stellenbosch University. She researches exclusion and poverty in African countries, and supports the design of systems and policies that help improve the lives of the poor.
Stellenbosch University (SU) recently introduced a new BSC degree in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. In this podcast we talk to Prof Hugh Patterton for more information about the degree.
"Not sure what to study?" is a podcast for prospective SU students about the study opportunities.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Prof Nuraan Davids from the Department of Education Policy Studies speaks about the need to address the stigma of teaching as ‘women’s work’ by disrupting patriarchal discourses and norms that perpetuate the marginalisation of women.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast, Dr Rene Naidoo-Blassoples from the Institute for Wine Biotechnology talks about how her project is recovering wastewater for reuse in sanitation, farming and agriculture to help address water and food insecurity.
Stellenbosch University.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Dr Rizwana Roomaney from the Department of Psychology talks about the stigma around women’s health issues and how this should be addressed.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast, Dr Elize Archer from the Centre for Health Professions Education talks about why it is so important to equip medical students and healthcare professional with empathic communication skills.
Stellenbosch University.
In celebration of Women’s Month, Prof Nox Makunga from the Department of Botany and Zoology talks about the need for more women to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Stellenbosch University
In this podcast, Dr Sanmarie van Deventer from the Department of Public Law highlights the importance of regulating online contracts to protect internet users when they browse a website, click the “accept” icon or download software.
In celebration of Women’s Day and Women’s Month, Prof Louise du Toit from the Department of Philosophy highlights the devastating impact of sexual violence by saying that it takes away the victim’s sense of power he/she has in the world.
With the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, well-being and mental health has become an important priority for many academic institutions around the world. Shibu Mamabolo, who specialises in Employee Health and Wellness discussed how Stellenbosch University is helping staff with wellness resources.
Prof Martina Meincken has initiated the process of making African violins by using indigenous African wood species. The first violin was made over three months from yellowwood and sapele by one of the best luthiers in South Africa, Hannes Jacobs from Pretoria.
We also have a special surprise. Christian Brand joins prof Meincken and plays his piece: Sonata No. 1 for solo violin by C.J. Brand.
(Please note that the Violin recording was done on a cellphone in a non controlled environment. This was not a professional recording in a studio. )
Read the full story here: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=7497
According to Prof Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Stellenbosch University has a competitive edge. “Thanks to our leadership, SU has deviated from the norm in a unique manner. The School is set up to focus not only on Data Science, but also on Computational Thinking, thereby offering a unique value proposition to students, researchers and industry. I am excited to be part of shaping and growing what is an important part of the University's future."
Visit http://www.sun.ac.za/english/data-science-and-computational-thinking for more information.
In this podcast, Prof Stan du Plessis, Chief Operation Officer and Chairperson of the Institutional Committee for Business Continuity, highlights the importance of a collaborative approach to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast, Renee-Hector Kannemeyer, Deputy-Director for the Division of Social Impact and also the Head of Matie Community Service, talks about the institutional activities that staff and students can participate in to celebrate Mandela Day during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In this podcast, Dr Elijah Doro from the Department of History makes the point that current debates about the cigarette ban also have to pay attention to the murky political history of tobacco.
In this podcast, Prof Lizette Rabe from the Department of Journalism speaks about the insidious nature of fake news and what we can do to curb its spread.
In celebration of World Population Day (11 July), Prof Mark Tomlinson from the Institute for Life Course Health Research highlights some of the population issues we face today and what we should do to address them.
In this podcast, Prof Bob Mash from the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care talks about how community healthcare workers are delivering medicine to high-risk groups who can’t go to healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast, Prof Aslam Fataar from the Department of Education Policy Studies talks about how teachers have gone beyond the call of duty to meet the needs of learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast, Prof Nico Koopman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel, speaks about how his responsibility centre is helping to promote transformation and diversity at Stellenbosch University and beyond.
In celebration of Youth Month, SR Chairperson Lewis Mboko talks about the challenges young people face during the COVID-19 pandemic and what they can do to rise above them.
In celebration of World Refugee Day (20 June), Dr Callixte Kavuro from the Department of Public Law highlights the plight and challenges of refugees and asylum-seekers.
When he took the helm at Stellenbosch University in 2015, it was the time of Rhodes Must Fall, Open Stellenbosch, the ‘Luister’ video and Fees Must Fall. Five years later, he started his second term in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. And still he sees the glass “half full”. We talk to Professor Wim de Villiers about what makes him tick, and what the future may hold for one of Africa’s top higher education institutions.
In celebration of Youth Month, Mandela Rhodes Scholar and Master’s student in Educational Policy Studies Delecia Davids highlights some of the pressing challenges young people face.
In this podcast, Prof Bruce Watson from the Department of Information Science offers a few tips on how we can protect ourselves against cyber criminals during the lockdown.
In celebration of Youth Month, Philosophy student and SRC member Ingrid Heydenrych talks about the challenges student leaders are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic as they try to stay in touch with their fellow students.
In celebration of Youth Month, Psychology Honours student Unopachido Mubaiwa talks about the power young people have to bring about transformation in society.
In this podcast, Dr Stephanie Vos from the Africa Open Institute talks about the importance of looking at popular music from the vantage point of local artists, producers and listeners.
In this podcast, Prof Brian van Wilgen from the Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology talks about the impact of invasive species in South Africa and what needs to be done to keep them in check.
In this podcast, Ms Anika Berning from the Department of Business Management highlights the challenges non-profit organisations face as they try to help alleviate the plight of millions of South Africans during the lockdown.
In this podcast, Prof Zwelinzima Ndevu, Director of the School of Public Leadership, takes a closer look at the leadership our government has thus far provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast, Dr Morne Mostert from the Institute for Futures Research offers a few tips that may help senior decision-makers and students to think strategically about the future during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this podcast Dr Elsje Pieterse from the Department of Animal Sciences talks about the idea of farming with insects to use as food, bioplastic, animal feed and even as alternatives for antibiotics.
In this podcast Prof Jason Bantjes from the Department of Psychology talks about students’ mental health problems and what needs to be done to address them in a way that help students deal with these psychological challenges.
In this podcast, Ms Ilhaam Groenewald talks about the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown on sport and what the landscape may look like once we’ve weathered the storm.
In this podcast, Prof Michael le Cordeur reflects on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our democracy and various issues related to education.
In this podcast, Prof Sandy Liebenberg explains that in our battle against COVID-19, we should not neglect the socio-economic rights of millions of South Africans who are trapped in poverty and unemployment.