Dr Céline Hanzen, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Life Sciences’ Centre for Functional Biodiversity (CFB) presented a talk at the international Fish Passage Conference on research on telemetry for management and conservation, waterway connectivity and fish passage. Hanzen was invited to discuss the development of fish behavioural research in South Africa for management and conservation at the online
Postdoctoral Researcher Takes on the Scourge of Marine Litter
Postdoctoral researcher in the School of Health Sciences, Dr Refilwe Mofokeng has made a name for herself in marine conservation through her research, advocacy and organising of beach clean-ups, and her efforts have not let up despite the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a background in marine and estuarine ecotoxicology, Mofokeng is a scientist
SARChI Chair Drives Conservation of South Africa’s Only Endemic Parrot
The work of South African Research (SARChI) Chair in Ecosystem health and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape Professor Colleen Downs is a touchstone for efforts to conserve South Africa’s only endemic parrot species: the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus).
Supporting Good Governance and Improved Service Delivery
The ability to monitor and evaluate implemented projects is particularly crucial for employees in the public sector, as their activities affect the lives of those in their surrounding communities. Civil servants need to have a relationship of trust with the community they serve. In community development, good intentions are not enough; accountability is necessary to
Plant Variety Design for Emerging Markets in Africa
A dialogue to strengthen plant breeding and to make the case for investing in demand-led plant breeding in Southern Africa
Student Fulfils Grandmother’s Prophecy
‘I was a UKZN fan since I was in high school,’ says newly capped Dr Thobeka Gumede. ‘My grandmother was a domestic worker in Westville and every time we went to her workplace she would say: “One day you will be a student at UKZN.” And here I am today!’ Gumede graduated with a PhD
UKZN Student Appointed American Society for Microbiology Young Ambassador
UKZN student and veterinarian and bacteriologist in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maiduguri in Nigeria, Dr Iliya Kwoji, has been appointed American Society for Microbiology Young Ambassador to South Africa. Kwoji is enrolled for a PhD degree in Genetics at UKZN and through collaboration is also a
UKZN Launches Exciting New Degree in GIS and Earth Observation
Click here for isiZulu version The 4th Industrial Revolution has seen an increase in the use of spatial data for decision-making in line with promoting evidence-based and knowledge driven economies. Responding to these paradigm shifts, a new programme (BSc GIS-EO), has been created in the School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences (SAEES). The programme, which
UKZN Autumn Grad by Numbers
Of the 10 313 graduands being awarded degrees and diplomas during the 2021 UKZN Autumn virtual Graduation ceremonies, 382 will graduate cum laude and 149 summa cum laude – with women making up 68% of the top achievers! The virtual Graduation ceremonies – all starting at 11h00 – will be broadcast by the University between 25 and 28 May, starting
Fighting Dread Diseases Inspires this Health and Wellbeing Warrior
MSc Biochemistry summa cum laude graduate, Mr Keelan Jagaran is passionate about science and it shows in his outstanding academic achievements. After matriculating from Raisethorpe Secondary School in Pietermaritzburg, Jagaran completed a BSc degree, majoring in Biological Sciences and Genetics. ‘UKZN has always been a highly esteemed university where I knew I would get a high-calibre education,’