| Your behaviour can influence SU’s green built environment | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8668 | | Your behaviour can influence SU’s green built environment | Facilities Management | <p>Stellenbosch University works hard to change systems and processes on campus to more sustainable energy sources and reduce the impact on the environment. Environmental sustainablity principles guide new buildings, refurbishing and renovation projects, and planning new spaces for research, teaching, and interaction. But the best intentions, regulations and principles in the world will have no impact if we do not change our behaviour, says Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services at Facilities Management.</p><p>“Students and staff may not always have the environment as top of mind in their daily engagement on campus. However, we must always be aware that where there are people, they will affect the local ecosystem in one way or another," says Nadeem.</p><p>The efficient and safe operations of all buildings and spaces depends on the interactions of people in accordance with the design intent of that space Detail sustainability initiatives are incorporated in the design of buildings and spaces, which when operated correctly will facilitate optimisation of the buildings's environmental performance which will during its lifecycle will yield benefits to not only the occupants, but to the community by reducing the strain on the environment.</p><p>As part of FM's Environmental Sustainability team, Christine Groenewald is the driving force behind engaging our student and staff communities in projects that raise awareness around sustainability on campus. Her engagement sessions range from planting trees on identified spaces to involving students and staff in recycling projects.</p><p>Groenewald gave us ten ways to incorporate a bit of green-mindedness into our daily interaction with the built environment at our various campuses. Here is her food for thought:</p><p>1. Coffee, that morning must-have, how do your drink it? In a disposable cup perhaps? Why not consider buying yourself a reusable cup (the Matie Shop has a few on special from time-to-time!). It might require of you to wash it every time, but soon there will even be a solution for this on campus, so watch this space. And while we on this topic, instead of buying yet another plastic bottle of water, consider buying yourself a nice reusable bottle as well.</p><p>2. Buy second-hand. The one thing that SU have a lot of is students and every year they come and they go. And every year the first-years buy new desks and the final years sell of throw away old desks. Consider reselling your furniture (there are some second-hand shops around or use Facebook marketplace). Instead of buying a brand-new desk, look around for some good quality second hand ones – it costs less and with a fresh coat of paint, anything can look good again. The same goes for your old books, kettle, toaster, other furniture and even your clothes.</p><p>3. Consider a minimalist lifestyle. While on the topic of getting rid of things, around the world people are becoming more minimalistic in their way of life. Less is more, is not just a saying. Why crowd your life with books you are never going to read (again) or clothes you never wear? You will be amazed how little you really need and you will feel a lot lighter and brighter too.</p><p>4. Go digital. If there is one thing we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, is that we do not need printed books, notebooks and even posters any more. We were almost forced into a world where digital is the new norm. Think before your print a document or your bank statement. Make notes on your mobile or computer and where you are able to submit a project or dissertationdigitally, do so. Reduced printing saves a lot of trees, water, energy and harmful ink.</p><p>5. Walk or cycle to work or class. If you are fortunate to stay close to campus, consider walking or cycling there. You might have to wake up a little bit earlier, but there might be some sustainable worms to catch along the way – less carbon emissions, less fuel, saving money, getting fit and who knows, a healthier and happier you! For people travelling by car prevent single use occupants per car. Be part of a lift club.</p><p>6. Keep the lights off. Rather open the blinds and let natural light show you the way. Opening the window for fresh air where possible and mechanically allowed, is much better than being stuck in a closed office with air-conditioning. Just let nature in! Heating of warm water is the second biggest consumer of electricity on campus. That is why FM replaced geysers with energy efficient heat pumps. So, showering for less time saves water and electricity.</p><p>7. Recycle. Like re-using that coffee cup, should you buy a take-out, make sure you recycle. On campus there are three very visible recycling waste bins where you can recycle almost everything – paper, plastic, and nowadays also e-waste. Look out for the big yellow bins on campus where you can recycle all your old chargers, leads, batteries and even mobile phones.</p><p>8. Do not waste food. Food waste is one of SU's biggest problems and every day lots of food is sent to the rubbish heap. Think before you dish up that extra spoonful of rice. Rather come for a second helping than to leave food on your plate. If you are not a big fruit eater, buy them loose instead of a whole pack of bananas that will go off easily. </p><p>9. Keep your eyes open. If you detect a water leak at your student house or residence building, please report it immediately to FM's service desk at (021) 808 4666 or <a href="mailto:fmhelpdesk@sun.ac.za">fmhelpdesk@sun.ac.za</a></p><p>10. Be green. Get involved in SU's sustainability projects. Contact your Green Ambassador in your residence or student community and make a difference for your campus, the town of Stellenbosch and the world.</p><p>"We saw with the drought and the response to COVID that we can overcome all sorts of challenges by collaborating. We noticed that we were able to make decisions to the benefit of all. This is how we should deal with all future challenges because siloed, self-interest decision making is no longer an option. Let us all do our part and support SU's environmental sustainability goals and projects to make our campus greener, says Gafieldien.</p><p>He says the Environmental Sustainable teamis currently rolling out a series of projects and engagements on campus that form part of SU's overall environmental sustainability strategy towards becoming a sustainable university. In using their division as a living laboratory, SU's Facilities Management has since 2015 been putting systems and processes in place to start paving the way for the University to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in contributing solving problems and providing sustainable solutions for the future.</p><p><br></p> |
| Rector's Awards celebrate student excellence through adversity | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8661 | | Rector's Awards celebrate student excellence through adversity | Sue Segar | <p>A total of 82 top Stellenbosch University (SU) students were recently honoured with Rector's Awards for excellence in academics, leadership, social impact, culture, sport and service provision.<br></p><p>The awards ceremony, which was hosted online, was aptly themed “Excellence through adversity – moving forward together", reflecting the challenges of the past year as the global pandemic continued to affect all sectors, including higher education. In his opening address, SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers paid tribute to SU's students, all academic and non-academic staff as well as student leadership structures for having shown “real resilience in the face of adversity".</p><p>“In 2020, we were scrambling to find our feet in the new virtual and hybrid learning spaces, but, in many ways, 2021 was even more challenging," Prof De Villiers said. “During the third wave of COVID-19 infections, the realisation that this pandemic won't be a thing of the past any time soon had the potential to become physically and mentally draining. You've constantly had to adapt and stay agile, a trait we truly value at SU, and one that will stand you in good stead in the future. In the process, we have also realised that sharing moments of joy is more important than ever before, even if this must happen virtually, because no man is an island."</p><p>Prof Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Learning and Teaching, too commended students for having consistently maintained a high level of excellence through times of ongoing uncertainty and challenges. “Through unity and collaboration, we have achieved great success as an open, determined, understanding and curious community of learning. At the heart of our excellence is our togetherness in pursuit of knowledge and the discovery of new possibilities."</p><p>A total of 182 applications and nominations were received for the 2021 Rector's Awards, namely 61 for academics, 54 for leadership, 24 for social impact, eight for culture, eight for sport, and 27 for service provision. “We are exceptionally proud of our students' achievements and congratulate all our recipients tonight on their exceptional performance," Prof Ramjugernath said. “It is an indication of our resilience that SU students continued to excel in their endeavours, against the odds."</p><p>In her message, guest speaker Farai Mubaiwa, an SU alumna and former Students' Representative Council member, challenged students to “dare greatly" and to “step into their power". “I am where I am today because I have dared greatly," she said, echoing author and thought leader Brené Brown's book <em>Daring Greatly</em>. Having been named as one of the 100 Mandelas of the Future by Media24 in 2018, Mubaiwa now serves as chief partnership officer at the Youth Employment Service (YES), a business-led non-profit that works with government to incentivise job creation for the youth.</p><p>She said that while the high unemployment rates in South Africa and Africa, exacerbated by COVID-19, could paint a gloomy picture, they also provided an opportunity to achieve excellence through adversity. “What if I told you this is an opportunity to move forward together, an opportunity to dare greatly?" she asked students. “Over the past few years, I've asked myself the following questions: What do I need to do to contribute to a prosperous Africa, and how do I align my skills to achieve this? How do I become a great employer instead of just a great employee? How can I drive change through collaboration with others? And, lastly, how do I step into my power? In asking myself these questions, I've been pushed to dare greatly."</p><p>Recalling how, as an Accounting graduate, she “couldn't wait to work for a top company", she said: “Strangely, nobody ever spoke about wanting to establish their own accounting firms to rival top companies. Entrepreneurship allows you to examine the needs of your community, develop a product or service that can fulfil those needs, create employment and, most importantly, run sustainable businesses. In the African context, though, we don't just need entrepreneurs; we need social entrepreneurs who address socioeconomic challenges sustainably. After all, research shows us that small, medium and micro-sized enterprises are drivers of job creation and economic growth."</p><p>In encouraging students to step into their power, Mubaiwa said: “I'm 26; I'm black; I'm a woman, and I'm the product of a South African mom and a Zimbabwean father. That is not an easy identity to carry. Yet I sit on the executive of one of South Africa's largest youth employment and empowerment organisations, am co-founder of an incredible youth-led African organisation, and have a master's degree from one of the world's best universities. I was able to accomplish all of this because I've stepped into my power.</p><p>“May we dare greatly," she concluded. “May we play our part in bettering our country and our continent. May we achieve excellence through adversity and move forward together."</p><p>The following students received awards:</p><p><strong>Academics</strong> (comprising the Rector's Award for Excellent Achievement and te SU medal for top master's student, by faculty)</p><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">AgriSciences</span></p><ul><li>Kim Teresa Mannix</li><li>Cecile Bester</li><li>Hendrik Stephanus Pretorius</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Alicia Petrus</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Arts and Social Sciences</span></p><ul><li>Zainab Khafif</li><li>Estelle Kemp</li><li>Joy Sparg</li><li>Kirsten Pienaar</li><li>Akira Coetzee</li><li>Tamlyn February</li><li>Josie McClure</li><li>Lara van Heerden</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Kylie Kuhl</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Economic and Management Sciences</span></p><ul><li>Lauren Tsafandakis</li><li>Philip Ferreira</li><li>Brandon Dinwoodie </li><li>Jeanne van den Heever</li><li>Micaela Giltrow</li><li>Ilne du Toit</li><li>Marné Olivier </li><li>Matthys Carstens</li><li>Melissa Oellerman</li><li>Haamidah Mowzer</li><li>Joshua Putterill</li><li>Kilian Boshoff</li></ul><p> Top master's student</p><ul><li>Alexander Charles O'Riordan</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Education</span></p><ul><li>Casey Wallace</li><li>Leila Laubscher</li><li>Tyla Jansen</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Charine de Ridder</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Engineering</span></p><ul><li>Matthew Brandon Baas</li><li>Zander Snel</li><li>Alex Gituanja Muthua</li><li>Bianca Jordan van Zyl</li><li>Francois du Plessis</li><li>Kevin Michael Eloff</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Aletta Susanna Elizabeth Nortje</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Law</span></p><ul><li>Carma Botha</li><li>Olivia Bernstein</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Ernst Heydenrych</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Medicine and Health Sciences</span></p><ul><li>Allison Jane Arendse</li><li>Danyca Shadé Breedt</li><li>Wilrie Koorts</li><li>Brittany Smith</li><li>Rochelle van Dyk</li><li>Blessing Ntokozo Ndlovu</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Danelle Botha</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Military Science</span></p><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Pelonomi Clementine Letebele</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">S</span><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">cience</span></p><ul><li>Eugene Fouche</li><li>Caleb Zeeman</li><li>Kristen Robinson</li><li>Devon Crowther</li><li>Samantha Parle</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Mpendulo Cele</li></ul><p><span style="text-decoration-line:underline;">Theology</span></p><ul><li>Karla Smit</li></ul><p>Top master's student</p><ul><li>Elmarie van Huyssteen</li></ul><p><strong>Sport</strong></p><ul><li>Lwazi Madi</li><li>Cameron Laurenson</li><li>Hannah Calvert</li><li>Daniel Barrish</li><li>Kerwin Noemdo</li><li>Johanna Pretorius </li><li>Dyan Buis </li><li>Charl du Toit</li></ul><p><strong>Culture</strong></p><ul><li>Willem Sterrenberg Horn</li></ul><p><strong>Social impact</strong></p><ul><li>Thembalethu Seyisi<br><br></li></ul><p><strong>Service provision</strong></p><ul><li>Abdul Mutakabir-Aziz</li><li>Azhar Adam Nadkar</li><li>Francesca Visage</li><li>Viwe Kobokana<br></li></ul><p><strong>Leadership</strong></p><ul><li>Kira Alberts</li><li>Kristin Arends</li><li>Xola Njengele</li><li>Jessica Davies</li><li>Philip Visage</li><li>Rewaldo Carolus</li><li>George van Dyk</li><li>Lance Davids</li><li>Grace Mngadi</li><li>Monwabisi Petersen</li><li>Chelsea Jones</li><li>Jarryd Luyt<br><br></li></ul> |
| ‘Be kind always’ – the motto of SU’s new SRC chairperson | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8580 | | ‘Be kind always’ – the motto of SU’s new SRC chairperson | Corporate Communication and Marketing Division/Afdeling Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking - Sandra Mulder | <p>“Be kind always" – this is the motto of Viwe Kobokana, the newly elected chairperson of the Stellenbosch University Students' Representative Council (SRC).<br></p><p>Kobokana was elected earlier this month, following the election of the new SRC. She says that the reality of being elected by her peers to lead the student organisation has not yet sunken in, but that she is excited about the challenge. </p><p>Kobokana is a final year BSc Human Life Sciences student from <span lang="EN-US">Qonce</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;font-family:calibri, sans-serif;"> (King Williams Town).</span> She is no stranger to student leadership, having served as the transformation officer of the 2020/2021 SRC. During this period, she and the SRC's Transformation Committee designed student workshops that focused on topics such as the decolonisation of the higher education sector, gender, sex and sexuality, race relations, anti-gender-based violence (GBV), and mental health. </p><p>These workshops will be presented to the new SRC as part of their induction and extended to the student body once again. One of Kobokana's top priorities is to focus on transformation and to ensure noticeable changes. </p><p>"The University has an amazing framework for transformation and the transformation plan does a great job in outlining that. However, I think the challenge comes in materialising that plan. I know that small changes and results will eventually lead to long-term changes. Those small changes are the results I would like to see," says Kobokana. Furthermore, she wants all SRC members to embed transformation in their SRC portfolios, and hopes that the entire SRC will work transformative. </p><p>She is also looking forward to collaborating with university staff on various student projects. </p><p>"Many staff members want to work with student leaders and help them to integrate efforts to assist students. This is something I want to promote and will assist my team in finding relevant staff members to institutionalise their projects and work," says Kobokana.</p><p>While focused on leading the SRC, Kobokana says her other priority is completing her degree. She says that being involved in student leadership for the last three years has helped her to learn how to balance her academic life with co-curricular activities. </p><p>"Being organised is the saving grace!" she says.</p><p>The following students have been elected to serve on the SRC: <br></p><ul><li style="text-align:left;">Philip Visage ( Vice-chairperson)</li><li style="text-align:left;">Alysa-Abby Kekana (Secretary-general) </li><li style="text-align:left;">Zander Niemand </li><li style="text-align:left;">Almé Engelbrecht </li><li>Ilan Meintjes (Treasurer)</li><li> Takadiwa Chipfumbu</li><li>Chris Briel<br></li><li>Precious Nhamo</li></ul><p></p><p>For more information about the SRC, click <a href="/english/management/src">here</a>. </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| New SRC announced | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8551 | | New SRC announced | Corporate Communication and Marketing Division/Afdeling Korporatiewe Kommunikasie en Bemarking - Sandra Mulder | <p>The Stellenbosch University (SU) Election Committee has confirmed that the following students will serve in the 2021/22 Students' Representative Council (SRC), having been elected in an independent, free and fair general election:</p><ul><li>Precious Nhamo </li><li>Alysa-Abby Kekana </li><li>Unathi Ngumbela </li><li>Viwe Kobokana </li><li>Almé Engelbrecht </li><li>Ilan Meintjes </li><li>Philip Visage </li><li>Takadiwa Chipfumbu </li><li>Chris Briel </li></ul><p>The ex-officio members of the SRC will be as follows:</p><ul><li>Toni Solomon – Prim Committee chair<br></li><li>Christo van der Bank – Prim Committee vice-chair</li><li>George van Dyk – Academic Affairs Council chair</li><li>Neo Mokone – Societies Council chair</li><li>Pule Lebaka – Military Academy student captain </li><li>Eugene Nel – Senior Prim Committee chair</li></ul><p>The process will be concluded with the election of the new SRC chair and vice-chair on Monday 13 September, after which the specific SRC portfolios will be assigned internally, says election convenor Francesca Visagé. </p><p>The new SRC's term will run from the first day of the fourth term to the day before the fourth term of the following year.</p><p>On Thursday (9 September), Dr Choice Makhetha, senior director of Student Affairs, confirmed the election as independent, free and fair, and welcomed the fact that the elected SRC members were representative of SU's diverse student body. “The students elected to serve on the 2021/22 SRC reflect the diversity of Stellenbosch University," Dr Makhetha said. “It is very important to acknowledge that the student leaders represent far more than what their names suggest, as diversity is broad and complex. Students themselves have elected these members to represent them, and I believe they will be able to do that very well."</p><p>Maties had the opportunity to cast their votes between 30 August and midnight on 3 September through an online process. This was SU's second online SRC election in compliance with COVID-19 safety protocols. A total of 2 574 voters participated in voting for 11 candidates. </p><p>According to Dr Makhetha, the election convenor and her Election Committee team were strictly guided by the Student Constitution, the Student Code of Conduct, and the Rules of Elections. “The process was thorough and focused on details. Each stage of the election process was handled with the necessary sensitivity and confidentiality, and the entire process was well concluded." </p><p>Congratulating the new SRC members on their election, Dr Makhetha assured them that the University would support and guide them through their term of office. “To serve SU students at this level, the SRC needs to be ready to listen to the students, keep the voices of the students alive, and represent them well," she said. “They need to display the highest level of integrity and be prepared to learn. They should build a strong team right from the start and support one another. Congratulations, and thank you for making yourselves available for this role."</p><p>The SRC is the highest representative student structure at the University. It is subject to the authority of the University Council.</p><p>Prior to the SRC election, SU's Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Wim de Villiers, encouraged students to vote, considering these student leaders' vital role at SU. SRC members represent all students in SU's statutory bodies such as the Institutional Forum, faculty boards, Senate and Council. </p><p>For more information about the 2021/22 SRC election, visit the “Maties Elections" pages on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MatiesElections/"><strong>Facebook</strong></a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maties_elections/?utm_medium=copy_link"><strong>Instagram</strong></a>.<br> <br></p><p> </p><p> </p><table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:100%;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br><br></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br></p> |
| SU celebrates Arbour Week by planting trees on campus | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8536 | | SU celebrates Arbour Week by planting trees on campus | Facilities Management | <p>Facilities Management's Landscaping and Environmental Sustainability teams collaborated to plant between 50 and 60 trees over the past couple of months on Stellenbosch University's campus, ending on a high note in celebrating Arbour Week during the first week of September 2021.<br></p><p>According to the initiators of the project, Christine Groenewald, engagement project coordinator, and Sivu Kweleta, senior horticulturist at Facilities Management, they, together with colleagues, suppliers and students have planted various trees on campus at buildings, such as the Engineering Faculty, the Old Main Building and the Krotoa Building – all at carefully selected spaces and allocated in appropriate areas within existing garden spaces.</p><p>"The collaborative effort between our environment sustainability and landscaping teams resulted in us planting 50 to 60 trees. We all know that trees create a greener and more oxygen-rich environment. It also helps to cool down our urban areas, increase the resilience of our ecosystems, and increase carbon sequestration," says Groenewald. The term carbon sequestration describes both natural and thoughtful processes by which CO2 is either removed from the atmosphere or diverted from emission sources and stored in the natural carbon sinks.</p><p>Groenewald says tree planting also enriches SU's biodiversity and help with the conservation of our biomes. The trees that were selected and planted varied from indigenous, water-wise and endemic trees, which adapt and survive in the weather conditions of the Stellenbosch area.</p><p>"Indigenous trees help create resilient ecosystems that can survive climate challenges like the recent drought we had. They help improve biodiversity and the sustainability of open spaces on campus. Most of the non-indigenous trees or plants use too much of our precious water resource, tend to become invasive, displace our rich biodiversity and disconnect our rich environmental, ecological services and are less resilient against pest and diseases Trees also help with the total ecosystem balance when one plants endemic and indigenous species," Kweleta says.</p><p>Nadeem Gafieldien, Director Property Services at Stellenbosch University's Facilities Management (SUFM), says the Environmental Sustainable Unit is currently rolling out a series of projects and engagements on campus that form part of SU's overall environmental sustainability strategy towards becoming a sustainable university. In using their division as a living laboratory, SUFM has since 2015 been putting systems and processes in place to start paving the way for the University to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in solving problems and providing sustainable solutions for the future.</p><p>"We have even digitised our trees to measure and manage many of the influencing variables. In some cases, this information enabled us to replace some vegetation with the water-wise endemic and indigenous trees planted in the past few weeks," says Gafieldien.</p><p><br></p> |
| Stellenbosch University Virtual Career Fair 24 August 2021 | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8494 | | Stellenbosch University Virtual Career Fair 24 August 2021 | Wilna Naudé | <p><br><br></p><p style="text-align:justify;">The Unit for Graduand Career Services (Centre for Student Counselling and Development) is excited to present the first Stellenbosch University Virtual Career Fair on 24 August 2021, 9:00 – 16:00. This is an opportunity for SU students to network with employers on an SU-branded platform. Virtual career fairs have grown over the past few years and are here to stay. We invite our students to make the most of this opportunity. Make the virtual career fair part of your career journey.</p><p>Register now for the live event at <a href="https://stellenboschuniversityvirtualcareerfair.easyvirtualfair.com/#">https://stellenboschuniversityvirtualcareerfair.easyvirtualfair.com/#</a> and join in the chat with employers.</p><p>For any queries contact the Unit for Graduand Career Services at <a href="mailto:careerservices@sun.ac.za">careerservices@sun.ac.za</a>.<br><br></p><p><br></p> |
| SU and fitness company holds first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in support of #Move4Food | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8495 | | SU and fitness company holds first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in support of #Move4Food | Innovus | <p>Stellenbosch University joined forces with a virtual health and fitness company, JEFF Fitness, in hosting the first-ever virtual sports and wellness day in the hope to set a new world record for #BiggestUniversityWorkout on Saturday, 28 August 2021, and raising funds for SU Alumni's # Move4Food initiative. A hallmark of #Move4Food is Stellenbosch University students, staff, alumni, and friends taking part in sporting events to raise funds to aid student hunger.<br></p><p>Some amazing people will join in on the fun and help in the fundraising cause, such as SA sport stars, Alumni champions from around the world, some of our Paralympic athletes currently on their way to the Tokyo Paralympics, students, celebrities and previous and current Maties Sport stars.</p><p>The event will take place virtually from 07h00 until 13h00 and consists of live workouts, competitions, talks, live "virtual" music, cook-offs and more.</p><p>SU's new Central Events and Conferencing Office (CECO) is the driving force behind this unique "Stellenbosch University-owned event". Liz Dirkse-van Schalkwyk, the event's main organiser, said they have partnered with JEFF fitness to co-host the event. JEFF brings to the event their expertise and know-how to host online events of this size and scope. Supporting this event from within SU is the office of the COO, Maties Sport, SU Wellness and SU Alumni.</p><p> "JEFF is owned by SU Sport Science Alumni, Johno Meintjies, who is passionate about impacting people's lives through sports and wellness," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk. “This fitness company was born in the recent lockdown through a free Facebook group that has grown into a global fitness company impacting lives in more than forty countries. With their recent success in virtual events of this nature the synergy just made sense for one of our alumni to take hands with us and do something special together with the rest of our Maties community around the world," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk.</p><p>She said they would like Maties and Alumni from across the globe to join them and experience the "gees" of the broader local, national and international Stellenbosch community in coming together to support our students and global health and fitness.</p><p>"Join us and experience an iconic event from the comfort of your home and stand a chance to win prizes throughout a fun-filled morning," says Dirkse-van Schalkwyk.</p><p>She said they are finalising the programme of events and will communicate all the information on social media and SU's website over next week – leading up to the challenge. In the meantime, visit the event's website page <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.jeff.fitness/pages/stellenbosch-university-sports-wellness-day&data=04%7c01%7c%7c73460954b3a44220798308d9636bbd61%7ca6fa3b030a3c42588433a120dffcd348%7c0%7c0%7c637650136655870636%7cUnknown%7cTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7c1000&sdata=G6lTglqugTcRwugupiSc8W7G0YRSEvqYfkxpenhIkaU%3D&reserved=0">here</a> to take part.</p><p><br></p> |
| Innovus celebrates women entrepreneurs | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8498 | | Innovus celebrates women entrepreneurs | Innovus | <p>Innovus, Stellenbosch University's university-industry innovation interaction platform for the commercialisation of SU's assets, celebrates our women entrepreneurs – an opportunity to showcase SU's entrepreneurial talent.<br></p><p>"We've decided to launch a series of stories celebrating entrepreneurial women in Stellenbosch during this year's women's month," says Anita Nel, Chief Director: Innovation and Business Development. "Every year, more and more women approach us with their innovations and ideas to start small businesses and time and time again, we stand in awe of what they bring to us. We've seen it all: farming with insects, solutions for early detection of cancer, virtual reality therapy tools and eco-friendly shark barriers, to name but a few.," says Anita.</p><p><strong>Meet the women entrepreneurs of BioCODE</strong></p><p>This week, Innovus celebrates its first group of women entrepreneurs: The team from BioCODE. BioCODE develop point-of-care smart sensing solutions that detect novel circulating inflammatory molecules in the blood.</p><p>The directors of BioCODE are Prof Resia Pretorius, head of Stellenbosch University's Physiological Sciences Department in the Faculty of Science (Managing Director), Prof Anna-Mart Engelbrecht and Prof Willie Perold. Together with Este Burger and Simoné Turner, the team pride themselves that they are the first company to receive funding from the newly formed University Technology Fund (UTF) for developing their rapid inflammation biosensor. Innovus Technology Transfer has been working very closely with the team and supported them to protect their intellectual property, set up the company, enter into partnerships, raising funding etc.</p><p><br></p><p>Read their full story <a href="https://www.innovus.co.za/celebrate-women-entrepreneurship-at-stellenbosch-university.html">here</a><br></p><p><br></p> |
| Digital Wellbeing: Raising Awareness | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8476 | | Digital Wellbeing: Raising Awareness | Unit for Academic Counselling and Development | <div>The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitalisation of our work, social and learning environments at an unexpected rate. All over the world people’s agility were put to the test since March 2020 and many in-person events had to be cancelled, downsized, or alternative virtual activities were created. Virtual health walks, fundraisers and campaigns are now the order of the day. <br></div><div><br></div><div>A variety of online opportunities including lectures, work sessions, seminars, meetings, and even online social events can be accessed on the internet and through social media platforms. <br></div><div><br></div><div>The rapid digitalisation of the world has many advantages. It is however important that users of digital devices should be aware of its influence – positive and negative – on their general wellbeing. Digital wellbeing focusses on the impact that digitalisation has on people’s emotional, physical, social, and occupational health. It aims to increase people’s awareness of their relationships with technology and its influence on their lives. It also empowers people to take responsibility for their own wellbeing while functioning in the digital realm. </div><div><br></div><div>The Centre for Learning Technologies (CLT) and the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD) collaboratively developed an interactive open-source online publication titled <em>Entering the world of digital wellbeing</em>. The e-book consists of three main sections, namely:</div><div><br></div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>An introduction to digital wellbeing; </div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>self-image, identities, and online relationships; and </div><div>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>managing the role of digital technology in your life.</div><div><br></div><div>This e-book offers an interactive and exploratory journey and aims to equip the readers with knowledge and skills needed to take responsibility for their wellbeing in a digitalised world. </div><div><br></div><div>An introductory video can be accessed at https://bit.ly/DWIntroVideo </div><div>The online booklet can be accessed at https://bit.ly/DWeBook <br></div><div><br></div> |
| Stellenbosch University paving the way for becoming a smart sustainable campus | http://www.sun.ac.za/english/Lists/news/DispForm.aspx?ID=8456 | | Stellenbosch University paving the way for becoming a smart sustainable campus | Petro Mostert | <p></p><p>In using their division as a <em>living laboratory</em>, Stellenbosch University's Facilities Management (SUFM) has since 2015 been implementing systems and processes to start paving the way for the Institution to become a smart campus where data-led decision-making will result in solving problems and providing solutions for the future.</p><p>Nicolette van den Eijkel, Chief Director at SUFM, says one of their strategic objectives for 2021–2025 is to move to a technology-enhanced campus through a process of digitalisation in collaboration with, among others, SU's Faculty of Engineering. </p><p>This directly supports SU's Vision 2040 of being a technology-enabled university.</p><p>Within the broader context of the United Nations' 17 sustainable development goals (SDG's)and South Africa's commitment by signing the agreement on climate change, and participation in the Global Alliance for Universities in Climate (GAUC), Stellenbosch University (SU) is following suit by reducing the University's carbon footprint to Net Zero Carbon and ensuring that 50% of all electricity used comes from renewable sources by 2025.</p><p>"We can only manage our utilities by measuring it," says Nadeem Gafieldien, Director: Property Services at SUFM. "That is why we've been working hard to put digital systems and infrastructure in place to measure our utilities such as water and electricity. Our smart metering systems provide us with valuable usage data which ensure that we can make effective decisions and react to real-time problems as and when they happen."</p><p>According to Gafieldien they have been installing smart metering systems at most of the buildings on SU's five campuses and embarked on various projects, which have already had a significant impact on energy, water and waste saving for the University.</p><p>"Our smart metering systems provide us with the agility to react fast and pro-actively plan for the future. It also enables us to verify our usage in terms of checking it against our billing information. This ability has already resulted in large cost savings."</p><p><strong>Data integration</strong></p><p>Recently SUFM joined forces with Prof Anton Basson and his team of researchers at the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering to develop a system that can integrate all the different data sources using a reconfigurable approach to enable data-led decisions by various users. </p><p>"Our research deals with handling information in complex systems - systems where there are many different components and interactions. The system is dynamic and evolves over time, which means it changes as the system and needs change," says Basson.</p><p>"There are expensive commercial systems on the market, but we have decided to develop a unique system to provide an integrated information system to support SUFM in our decision making and reporting."</p><p>The approach taken for SUFM's Smart Sustainable Campus builds on the idea of using “Digital Twins" and “Microservices" to combine information from existing systems, which currently exist as "information silos", to enable detection of anomalies (e.g. to quickly identify water leaks), expedite monitoring and reporting (e.g. of electricity use and carbon footprint), record usage actual patterns (e.g. of lecture room occupancy), and other data-lead decision making.</p><p>“Our approach stems from the 'shoestring approach' formulated by Cambridge University to also help small and medium businesses (SMEs) who cannot afford expensive software to manage their information. The approach is that we build a basic framework, and companies can buy more modules to expand the system's capabilities," Basson said.</p><p>In this way the system can grow indefinitely as needs grow or new data sources are added.</p><p>While completing his PhD, Dr Anro Redelinghuys built the basic architecture for the software and is currently working to implement the system at SUFM, where the first commercial release is nearing completion. "Eventually, the system will be able to provide different users with different dashboards of actual usage patterns of utility information which will assist them with efficient decision-making," says Basson. </p><p><strong>Becoming a sustainable university</strong></p><p>In the meantime, the sustainability team at SUFM is hard at work to ensure that SU becomes a sustainable institution. "We work arduously to change our systems and processes to more sustainable energy sources and reduce the impact on the environment," says Gafieldien referring to initiatives such as creating their own recycling plant, installing PV panels on the roofs of SU's buildings, consolidating and reducing air conditioning systems and generators, as well as installing greywater systems at residences and faculty buildings on the various campuses – all projects that resulted in further cost savings and contributing towards the institution's sustainability goals.</p><p>"We have even digitised our trees to measure, among others, their water usage. Thanks to this information, we have been able to replace some vegetation with water-wise endemic and indigenous trees."<br><br></p> |
