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What will have been the impact of our research, and our teaching and learning on society by 2118?
Author: Rhoda Malgas
Published: 20/09/2018

The impact of research over the next 100 years was the topic that members of the Social Impact Committee in the Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University (SU), discussed at their symposium in August 2018. This symposium was one of the Faculty's special Centenary commemoration events, as the Faculty, like SU, was established in 1918.

Concerns about education and training deficits among youth in the agricultural sector shaped the objectives of two of the Faculty's Social Impact (SI) initiatives. The concept of an agricultural training hub at Mariendahl Experimental Farm is rooted in a commitment to facilitate knowledge transfer to youth in agriculture who do not have access to mainstream post-matric education. Mr Henk Stander of the Department of Animal Sciences pointed out that, whatever the outcomes of urgent land reform efforts in the country, there would be a need for support, training and research to realise food security, to manage ecological infrastructure, and to maintain livelihoods. Upgraded facilities at the farm to ensure world-class learning are included in the concept and are expected to benefit SU students. 

Ms Marianne McKay and colleagues from the Department of Viticulture and Oenology collaborated with the Pinotage Youth Development Academy (PYDA) to deliver a service to youth from resource-poor communities. These students have an interest in the wine industry, but cannot access university degree programmes for various reasons. The student-centred curriculum is customised to the needs of previously disadvantaged youth aged between 18 and 25. Independent and internal assessments demonstrate 90% employability of PYDA graduates, increased access to the wine industry and high retention rates, and valued partnerships between the Academy and SU.

The spread of the pathogenic fungus Phytophthora spp. in the Cape Fynbos lead PhD student Joey Hulbert to solicit the help of citizens to gather samples across the Western Cape. Three boys from Khayelitsha, a mother-daughter team from Stellenbosch, and a nurseryman all ended up in the lab of supervisor Dr Francois Roets to process samples at the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology. Samples from ordinary citizens have resulted in extraordinary finds. Naming rights have gone to three contributors for new species found. The three boys from Khayelitsha have expressed a keen interest to join SU to start careers in conservation ecology.

Mr Norman Daniels and Mrs Anna Joorst, members of the Genadendal Honeybush Knowledge Partnership, shared some insights as SI partners. Since 2012, 11 postgraduate students under the supervision of Ms Rhoda Malgas at the Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology have benefited from the research support, local knowledge and wisdom of residents at Genadendal in the Overberg. Rhoda demonstrated how participatory research methodologies lead to increased local ownership of findings. Collaboration with local partners has also resulted in opportunities for student training in various disciplines. Planned outputs include a community seminar later this year, the publication of a local journal featuring the results of student projects since 2012, and a workshop with conservation agencies at Genadendal.

In his opening remarks, the Vice Dean: Research, Prof Kennedy Dzama, noted the importance of elevating the status of SI to the same level as that of Research, and Teaching and Learning in the Faculty. Poor attendance at SI events would seem to belie the genuine interest and hard work of staff and students across the Faculty. Tangible staff recognition, practical support from heads of departments and improved visibility of SI initiatives may help to embed SI in the Faculty more firmly.

If you or others in your department are involved in Social Impact initiatives, please register your project with the Division for Social Impact on their website, or contact Faculty liaison Mr Mawethu Nyakatya nyakatya@sun.ac.za for further details.

If you would like to join the Committee, or would like to know more about our work, please contact Dr Evodia Setati (setati@sun.ac.za) or any of the other members in the Faculty. Members of the SI AgriSciences Committee in 2018 are:

  • Animal Sciences: Dr Annelin Molotsi; Mr Henk Stander
  • Conservation Ecology and Entomology: Dr Shayne Jacobs; Ms Rhoda Malgas
  • Forest and Wood Science: Dr Levuyo Tyhoda
  • Viticulture and Oenology: Ms Marianne McKay; Dr Evodia Setati

Author: Ms Rhoda Malgas (rmalgas@sun.ac.za) on behalf of the Social Impact Committee, Faculty of AgriSciences, Stellenbosch University

Photo's:  Mrs M McKay & Mr H Stander