Dr Alanna Rebelo on Tuesday (20 March 2018) became the first student in the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) to be awarded a joint doctorate by SU and the University of Antwerp in Belgium. She received her doctorate in Conservation Ecology at the third ceremony of SU's March graduation. Rebelo's supervisors were Prof Karen Esler from SU's Department of Conversation Ecology and Entomology and Prof Patrick Meire from the Ecosystem Management Group at the University of Antwerp.
This was only the second joint doctorate to be awarded in the Faculty of AgriSciences. The first joint PhD in the Faculty was awarded with the University of Bordeaux in France in 2017. The University of Antwerp is one of 21 partners with whom SU has joint PhD agreements. In addition to Rebelo's degree, two other joint doctorates, one in Sport Science and one in Geology, will also be awarded during the 2018 March graduation. This brings to 23 the number of joint doctorates that SU has conferred to date.
In her doctoral study, Rebelo looked at, among others, the benefits palmiet wetlands hold for ecosystems such as slowing the force of floods, cleaning water and providing habitat for biodiversity and sediment retention. Describing herself as a wetland ecologist, she says many people have heard of palmiet, but not many know what a valuable wetland plant it is.
Rebelo, who will be doing postdoctoral research at SU, says she has fond memories of her journey towards a joint doctorate.
“I enjoyed my PhD thoroughly; learning the ropes at a new (international) institution and most of all I loved my research group."
“I got to attend courses abroad, conferences, and research trips. I was fortunate to meet exciting researchers from all around the world."
“Belgium is a wonderful country where I was afforded multiple opportunities. The many coffee breaks with my research group really helped me get through my PhD, as well as building relationships with fellow students, and starting interesting research ideas and collaborations."
She advises students who would want to do a joint doctorate to choose their supervisor and research group well.
“Make sure your interests are aligned and choose a group that has a few post docs in your line of research, as they tend to have more time, and would be available to answer questions or give feedback."
Rebelo obtained her joint doctorate in the same year that SU is commemorating its centenary and also celebrating 25 years of internationalisation. Leading international activities at the university, Stellenbosch University International, which first opened its doors in 1993 as the then Office for International Relations, plays an influential role in positioning SU as rooted in Africa and global in reach.
At the same ceremony, several other doctoral degrees in AgriSciences with supervisors from other countries were also awarded. Doctoral degrees in Wine Biotechnology were also conferred upon Bahareh Bagheri, Heinrich du Plessis, Samantha Fairbairn and Carla Weightman for their wine-related research.
Photo: Dr Alana Rebelo at the graduation.
Photographer: Hennie Rudman
