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Doctoral study can help prevent the spreading of bovine TB in African buffaloes
A researcher at Stellenbosch University (SU) has found an innovative way to diagnose bovine Tuberculosis (TB) in African buffaloes and identify infected animals more accurately and rapidly. This can help to prevent the spread of the disease in one of the continent’s most iconic and high-valued species. “It is... Read more
Social workers need better support
Unmanageable workloads, poor recognition, inadequate supervision and too much stress are just some of the things that make social workers in South Africa quit their jobs. Unsurprisingly, the turnover rate remains high despite the implementation of the Recruitment and Retention Strategy for Social Workers in 2009. “Frontline social workers... Read more
SA’s women academics burnt out when working from home
Working from home became a nightmare for many of South Africa’s women academics during the first six months of the Covid-19 pandemic-enforced lockdown in 2020. Increased workloads, domestic pressures, and inadequate workspaces turned the home into a more stressful place and left them feeling burnt out. This is according... Read more
Learners can access Stellenbosch University’s supplementary educational platform SU Advantage
​​​​​Stellenbosch University’s (SU) SUNCOM division, in partnership with its Centre for Pedagogy (SUNCEP), offers high school learners access to its supplementary educational platform SU Advantage for R99 per month for a year as an introductory offer for 2023. SU Advantage augments the high school learning experience and supports grade 10, 11,... Read more
SA’s ‘silent mass disaster’ of missing, unidentified people
An estimated 7 000 – but likely closer to 10 000 – unidentified bodies in South Africa’s medico-legal laboratories are waiting to be identified each year, says Dr Kathryn Smith, an interdisciplinary visual and forensic artist and Chair of the Department of Visual Arts at Stellenbosch University (SU). “Statistics are kept... Read more
Anti-poaching technologies vulnerable to cyber-attacks, study finds
Various technologies such as tracking tags, CCTV and thermal cameras, Wireless Sensor Networks, mobile apps and drones are being used in anti-poaching operations for intelligence and communications to protect wildlife. However, these technologies bring with them the risk of cyber-attacks, and therefore communication networks and IT infrastructure must be... Read more
Leading-edge healthcare institute a “game changer” for Africa
The launch of its new state-of-the-art Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) places Stellenbosch University (SU) at the forefront of biomedical sciences on the African continent. The BMRI is a world-class biomedical research complex on par with the best in the world and is unparalleled, not only on the African continent,... Read more
Scientists identify new benchmark for freezing point for water
Scientists have discovered yet another amazing aspect of the weird and wonderful behaviour of water – this time when subjected to nanoscale confinement at sub-zero temperatures. The finding that a crystalline substance can readily give up water at temperatures as low as -70 °C, published in the journal Nature today, has... Read more
Giséle Lavita becomes one of SU’s youngest LLD graduates
Giséle Chloé Lavita is not one to let circumstances stand in her way. At only 25 years, she graduated this week with a LLD from Stellenbosch University (SU) – one of the youngest to do so. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that her degree is based... Read more
Visually impaired SU graduate refuses to pedal in sauerkraut when she encounters adversity
Giving up has never been an option for Mbali Ngcamu, 62, who graduated from Stellenbosch University (SU) this week with an MSc in Food Nutrition and Security. Despite facing numerous challenges – a visual impairment that cut short her career as a radiographer, ill health and then, last year,... Read more
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