During the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences hybrid 2021 year-end function, Executive Dean, Prof Magano, thanked all staff members for their continued support and hard work. He also encouraged them to stay positive and to look back on how far everyone in the College had come during 2021. At the start of 2021, many staff had felt feeble and full of fear and uncertainty as the ravaging impact of Covid-19 seemed set to continue unabated, inflicting pain and disturbing lives. The truth of the matter, said Prof Magano, was that staff had been touched by the Covid-19 pandemic in a variety of ways.

“Some among us, got infected by the virus and had to endure, among other things, the pain, and the trauma of dealing with the infection. Some among us lost their loved ones.

Still others had to contend with the reality of taking on the added responsibility of becoming breadwinners, supporting children orphaned on account of Covid-19, as well as by other maladies which affect humanity”, said Prof Magano.

While Covid-19 has left a trail of devastation, and unfortunately continues to do so, it has made us more determined as individuals and has elevated the importance of science – and the research behind it – in ways we never anticipated. Like a surfer taking advantage of a big wave, CAES must respond in the right way to ensure that it rises high with regard to its relevance to the challenges of Covid-19. In this regard, it must take advantage of the research and innovation opportunities that Covid-19 has brought. This is why we remain appreciative of the research work on rapid Covid tests done by Dr Salerwe Mosebi, as well as of the many other research initiatives that have been spawned by the challenges of Covid-19. The work done and the progress made in the molecular studies and genomics spaces, as well as in phytochemistry and ethnoveterinary practices, is equally appreciated. Colleagues in the Departments of Geography and Environmental Sciences, meanwhile, are making noticeable strides in environmental studies relating to the impact of Climate Change.

According to Prof Magano, the challenges faced by Africa are many and are typified by abject poverty, hunger and a plethora of animal and human diseases. It is for this reason, as well as many others spawned by climate change, that CAES remains a valuable asset not only to UNISA as an institution, but nationally and continentally with regard to the wide spectrum of fields it covers in Agriculture, Animal Health, Life Sciences, Consumer Sciences and Environmental Sciences. Therefore, as the College prepares itself for the year 2022, it must do so decisively, always remaining alert to the confidence and trust placed in it as it contributes meaningfully towards the designing of solutions to Africa’s challenges.

“This we can do, by leveraging on the academic and research strengths of our college. CAES continues to do well on the various fronts of the academic project. Without taking any of the limelight from the chairs of departments, who will be sharing with us the highlights in their various departments and from the laboratories, I just want to reflect on the College-wide successes”, said Prof Magano.

Prof Magano added that, in terms of Teaching and Learning, the College continue to apply itself fully to ensure that students receive the good service that they deserve.

As regards research, the College continues to register significant improvements. Based on the latest stats, the college has:

• 212 articles that have been published in accredited journals – these translate to 105,45 output units
• 42 articles that have been accepted, but not yet published
• 102 articles at the submission stage

Based on the progress above, Prof Magano very reasonably predicted that the College would surpass the 249 articles published in 2020.

Regarding postgraduate students, the College continued to register sustained improvement in its numbers:

• Master’s: 62 graduates, against 49 in 2020
• PhD: 40 graduated, against 25 in 2021
• NRF Ratings: Five positive outcomes

The hybrid year-end closing function also saw the College recognise and acknowledge staff members for their excellence in various categories.

Research and Innovation Virtual Awards 2021

• Research Management Award:     Prof E Kempen
• Academic Associate Award:          Dr V Masindi
• Academic Associate Award:          Prof A Djikeng

Emerging Researchers Prize for Research Excellence:

• Prof M Mabelebele

National Research Foundation Ratings:   

• Prof M Mabelebele – Y2
• Prof F Tabit – C2    
• Prof P Henzi – B1

NRF Excellent Research Award for Early Career/Emerging researcher                            

• Prof N Mapholi

Innovation Award

Vice-Principal’s Award: Most Prolific Innovator over the Past Five Years:   

• Prof H Stoffberg

Most Prolific Innovator: Patents                                        

• Prof H Stoffberg

First Patent Granted Award: South Africa:                                

• Prof H Stoffberg

First Patent Granted Award: Examining Jurisdictions  

• Prof Dewar

First Patent Granted Award: Examining Jurisdictions  

• Mr Groeneveld

IP Applications

Incentives:          

Prof M Ntwasa

Prof H Stoffberg

Half a Million Club:                                                             

• Dr A Tagwi
• Dr S Mosebi
• Prof L Sibali

Million Rand Club:                                                              

• Dr S Mosebi
• Prof A Gunter
• Prof G Prinsloo
• Dr L Ncube

Teaching and Learning

Excellence Award for Innovation in Tuition – Institution          

• Ms. P Tlakula

Excellence Award for Assessment                                              

• Dr B Mogoje

Excellence Award for Student Support                           

• Mr S Maake

Excellence Award for Assessment                                              

• Ms. S Jaga

Doctoral Degrees

• Dr K Maluleke
• Dr K Manuel
• Dr E Van Staden
• Dr S Nkosi
• Dr U Van Den Berg
• Dr P Adriaanse
• Dr A Wilson