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“Higher Education Under Siege: Resilience, Rights and the Gaza Conflict’s Human Cost” (as discussed during the IEASA conference 2024)

by Orla Quinlan and Anisa Khan

The idea that Vice Chancellor could be personally targeted for assassination was unimaginable in South Africa, prior to the attack on the University of Fort Hare’s Vice-Chancellor in 2023, which sent shock waves across the South Africa higher education community. In Gaza, over the past year, all universities have been systematically bombed and since 2023, three university presidents were targeted and killed, along with 17 full professors and 59 PhD holders (as of June 2024).

Among these, writes Rabaia and Habash (2024), was Professor Sufian Abu Tayeh, the President of the Islamic University of Gaza, who was killed along with his family in an airstrike. Abu Tayeh was one of the most prominent scientists of physics and applied mathematics in Gaza. The same university lost the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Omar Farwaneh, along with the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Naser Abu Nour. Such systematic and planned targeting resulting in the elimination of human capital in the higher education sector and provoking brain drain. The latest attacks come after decades of Israeli occupation and a 17-year military blockade of Gaza that has severely hindered the development and growth of higher education for around 87,000 students that were enrolled at Gazan universities in 2017. Higher education in the West Bank is also systematically targeted, with Birzeit University being periodically raided (22 times since 2002, the latest being beginning of September 2024) and with many students kidnapped and detained without charge.

The devastating impact of Israel’s military actions on Gaza’s entire education system has been starkly documented in ReliefWeb’s report from Gaza, 2 September 2024 titled “Scholasticide: Israel’s deliberate and systematic destruction of the Palestinian education system in Gaza”. Since October 7, 2023, at least 10,490 students and 500 educators in Gaza have been killed, with 16,700 students injured. The destruction has led to more than 625,000 school-aged children missing an entire academic year. Critical infrastructure damage includes the destruction of 285 out of 448 public schools, and two-thirds of UNRWA schools, with 188 out of 288 attacked and 76 directly targeted. Schools that are still standing have been repurposed as shelters for internally displaced persons. The rebuilding process will be long and challenging, with significant disruptions to students’ academic and personal development for many years, even decades to come.

The impact on higher education has also been devastating. All 19 higher education institutions, including six universities in Gaza have been destroyed and at least 105 staff members killed and more than 1115 injured. 579 students have been killed and 1,189 injured. An unknown number of staff and students have been kidnapped and imprisoned.

The ordeal of Mohammed Alshannat, a Rhodes University Linguistics PhD student, trapped in Gaza with his family, was shared during one of the IEASA conference sessions, further humanising the horrific impact of this conflict on scholars and academics living under siege:  “The situation is beyond description. Starvation is still the same. Prices keep rising. Artillery shelling fluctuates but is very insane in the early morning. Every day we lose new relatives, friends and neighbours. Our community is being completely wiped out. I was telling my children that God is good even when humans make hell on earth. Northern Gaza has been literally turned into a slaughterhouse, and we are the sheep waiting for our turn”

When asked what message he would send the international community, this gentle scholar said: “Thank you for advocating for us. Please let people know that despite the relentless pain that is being inflicted on us, we unconditionally and constantly love and forgive the Israelis. They do not know what they are doing. Our commitment to love and forgiveness is unshakeable. We also forgive the international community for everything they failed us. We have nothing but love to the world. We pray that our suffering brings peace and prosperity to all human beings all over the globe. The more we suffer, the more we love. Pray for us” – Mohammed Alshannat 5th September 2024.

Mohammed’s experiences have previously been covered by The New York Times (Nicholas Kristof’s piece: Trapped in Gaza: A Student’s Story). His story underscores the profound human cost of the conflict and the need for global solidarity.

This human toll set a sombre tone throughout the 26th IEASA Annual Conference in August 2024, where the impact of the Gaza conflict on education was central. The conference included three parallel sessions, plenaries, and a keynote with a focus on solidarity, resilience and the ethical responsibilities of internationalisation practitioners.

The first session entitled “The Role Paradox: Speaking Truth to Power or Soft Diplomacy?” presented by Anisa Khan from the University of Johannesburg explored the role of internationalisation practitioners and how, through the agency we all have, we can take meaningful, decolonised, just and ethical stances that can guide partnership development and collaborations with universities and international agencies that may directly or indirectly be associated with countries or activities that infringe on the human rights and freedoms of Palestinians and other marginalised populations. The session examined the concept of academic freedom and what this means within the context of individual, institutional and collective freedoms, academic and cultural boycotts, anti-apartheid and decolonised approaches, knowledge security and normative framework approaches to partnerships with Israeli universities. Some universities are delinking research, while maintaining academic collaborations, whereas others support boycotts against Israel. Ghent University in Belgium, for instance, ended its ties with Israeli institutions, in line with the recent ruling by the International Court of Justice. The discussions emphasised the paradox of balancing diplomacy with ethical responsibilities in internationalisation.

A second critical session titled “The Impact of the Genocide in Gaza and Increased Attacks in the Occupied West Bank on Education Access and Internationalisation in Palestinian Universities” included speakers such as Amir Khalil from Birzeit University, Basri Saleh from the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, and Amani Al-Mqadma from the Islamic University of Gaza. Chaired by Anisa Khan, this session highlighted the severe disruption to higher education and Al-Mqadma’s plea for international support, emphasising that education serves as a form of resistance and survival for Palestinians. The academics continue to educate students trapped in Gaza using their phones. Teachers and lecturers have not been paid for ten months but a presenter asked “Which is better? To spend a morning trying to teach or to spend it queuing for humanitarian aid?” They emphasised that education is their life and ended the session by telling the audience not to worry that this has been their life and they will continue to educate. Edwin Naidu’s article, “Internationalisation Experts Debate Approaches to War in Gaza,” published in the University World News on September 5, 2024, delves into how universities can balance ethics, academic freedom, and institutional responsibilities and summarises the topics covered in this session.

A third session titled “Humanising and Decolonising Pedagogy through Virtual Exchange” and chaired by Jody Felton (IES Abroad) explored how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) programmes can help decolonise and humanise higher education pedagogy. Divinia Jithoo (Durban University of Technology), Alia Gilbrecht (Debate Education), Huba Boshoff (Durban University of Technology) discussed the potential of virtual exchange to offer a platform for students in conflict zones like Palestine to share their experiences, challenge dominant narratives, and engage in meaningful cross-border dialogues. In this session, presenters advocated for the need to purposefully realign pedagogies to support rehumanising processes, drawing on concepts such as Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Heart and Ginie Servant-Miklos’ Pedagogy of Collapse. These pedagogies could enable students to challenge dominant narratives that marginalise certain groups. 

The plenary session “Higher Education, Human Rights, and the Right to Collaborate?” brought together esteemed panellists including Professor Ahmed Bawa from the University of Johannesburg, Mr. Ghaleeb Jeppie from the South African Embassy in Tokyo, Professor Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Dr Aldo Stroebel from the University of Mpumalanga. Chaired by Professor Ylva Rodny-Gumede from the University of Johannesburg. The session explored the intersection of higher education, human rights, and international collaboration amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The discussions underscored the role of universities in promoting democracy, human rights, and equity through global partnerships and community engagement. A summary of the topics covered can be found in the University World News article: “Higher Education, Human Rights, and the Right to Collaborate”.

Addressing the conference topic of “Navigating internationalisation in challenging times” in a keynote address on the last day of the conference, the former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr Naledi Pandor, discussed the changing geo-political dynamics, the role of higher education, and need for contextualised internationalisation. Here, she was referring to the call by some scholars for diversified and decolonised curriculum, as well as a more diversified student body, programme mix, diversified academia, and multi-disciplinary approaches. Dr Pandor asked of universities: “Do we have the stamina and fire for a refocused, revisited higher education? Are institutions able to respond and resist the overbearing threat of uni-polarity?

Referring to the role of academics during apartheid, Dr Pandor noted: “Many of our institutions and our academics showed their mettle in the struggle against apartheid and held the moral high ground, while simultaneously pursuing scholarship. There is nothing unacademic about being an activist and responsive to context and also pursuing knowledge, as is your task. The two can be synthesised very effectively”. In this regard, Dr Pandor reminded us that “Justice and full enjoyment of human dignity remain a desire for Palestinians today”. Dr Pandor then proceeded to invite the internationalisation scholars, experts and practitioners to play a part: “Any role that you, in your internationalisation settings can play, through your internationalisation agenda that can assist in ensuring peace and justice is welcome” She continued: “Pursuing such an outcome is an effort in which of us should engage in”.

In a moving tribute to Dr Pandor’s efforts in promoting justice for Palestine, Dr Savo Heleta, himself a survivor of the Bosnian war, who lived in a siege situation for two years, thanked Dr Pandor for all she had done in taking a stand for the Palestinian people. He highlighted how in the conversations with Palestinians since the end of December 2023, when South Africa, under the leadership of Dr Pandor, took Israel to the International Court of Justice regarding the ongoing conflict and crimes against humanity in Gaza, they frequently highlighted that no one has ever done for the Palestinian people what South Africa has done for them – standing up for their survival and for justice. He thanked her for her leadership, dedication and hard work, and for standing up for what is right and just, even when there were consequences for doing so.

(At the time of submission of this article, Mohammed, his wife and children were still alive having survived another night of bombardment).

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2024 IEASA CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

2024 IEASA CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

The 26th Annual IEASA Conference (https://ieasa-conference.studysa.org/) was held in Johannesburg from 20 to 23 August 2024. Themed “Navigating Internationalisation in Challenging Times”, it provided participants with an opportunity to engage deeply with relevant topics including the following:

  • Internationalisation in the contemporary national, regional and global geo-political environment;
  • Internationalisation’s role in principled and ethical engagement in work, scholarship and social action;
  • Internationalisation and transformative, visionary and decolonial education;
  • Speaking truth to power – in universities, at the national level and in the global arena – to further ethical internationalisation of higher education; and
  • Challenges and possibilities of international partnerships.

The Conference was attended by 246 delegates from 21 countries: Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Netherlands, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, United States, Zimbabwe.

Over four conference days, delegates were able to attend a variety of sessions, including the following:

  • 2 campus tours,
  • 5 workshops,
  • 2 keynote addresses,
  • 3 plenary sessions,
  • 44 parallel sessions, and
  • 2 social functions.

The Conference provided excellent networking opportunities for all delegates, and the South Africa Sweden University Forum (SASUF) and the Southern African – Nordic Centre (SANORD) used the conference platform to hold meetings with their members. In addition to these side events, IEASA hosted a networking lunch for the participants of its 2024 Mentorship Programme.

A conference scene setter co-authored by Dr Samia Chasi and Dr Lavern Samuels titled “Navigating internationalisation in times of polycrisis” was published in the Africa Edition of the University World News (UWN) on 25 July 2024 (https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20240724221448951), and several conference sessions were covered in subsequent UWN articles, including the following[MOU1] :

IEASA would like to thank everyone who participated in the Conference for playing their part in making it a successful and memorable event. IEASA’s 26th Annual Conference would not have been possible without the generous support of the following sponsors[MOU2] :

  • Flywire – PLATINUM Sponsor
  • Momentum: conference bags; gifts for keynote speakers
  • Compcare: conference mugs
  • Simeka Health: lanyards
  • Remata: name badges
  • Rhodes University: branded USBs (120 year anniversary of RU)
  • University of Johannesburg: student assistants
  • University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg: student and staff assistants
  • National Convention Bureau

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UKZN Launches Aerospace Systems Research Institute

UKZN made history recently when it officially launched the Aerospace Systems Research Institute (ASRI) – one of the largest aerospace research groups in South Africa during an event held on the Howard College campus in Durban.

ASRI, situated in the Discipline of Mechanical Engineering, was established by the University Council in 2022 following its predecessor, the Aerospace Systems Research Group (ASReG), established in 2009.

ASRI focuses on the design, development and testing of aerospace propulsion and flight systems, including rocket engines, turbopumps and turbomachinery, suborbital and orbital (space) launch vehicles and novel propellants.

The launch, held as part of a series of week-long events, shared ASRI’s vision with the audience while showcasing the Institute’s past and current activities as well as upcoming projects.

ASRI’s founding Director and associate professor in the Mechanical Engineering Discipline Professor Michael Brooks thanked the University for its unwavering support and recognition in getting the Institute into a properly configured shape to deliver aerospace technologies for commercialisation. ‘You backed us and we assure you of our determination to succeed,’ said Brooks. He also thanked the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for their funding and wisdom, and other partners for their support provided to the team.

In his presentation, titled: From ASReG to ASRI – Lessons Learnt Along the Way, Brooks gave a brief history of rocket science, saying current space companies are driven by agile business models, fast innovative techniques, aggressive timelines and a fearless, innovative approach. ‘This whole new space concept is the era in which ASRI was born and it’s the environment in which we must compete if we are going to survive.’ Brooks said ASRI aspired to be a global centre of excellence in aerospace propulsion and supported the country’s space engineering economy.

Among those attending were representatives from DSI, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) Space Command, University executive management, UKZN’s Chair of Council, Ms Khomotso Mthimunye, industry partners, government officials, industry partners, representatives from other universities, space agencies, academics, students and the ASRI team.

UKZN Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Nana Poku said the launch was a joyous occasion for the University and a chance to demonstrate the excellence and great work taking place at the Institution. ‘One of the fundamental messages this occasion projects is the tenacity of perseverance over the environment. To be one of the few universities in the world to launch a rocket, and within the context that we exist in, to be the only one in the world like us to do it is a tremendous achievement by the team.’

He said through the launch, the University was trying to stretch the essence of its impact. He commended the work done by the team in the communities to enthuse the next generation of scientists and the energy they brought to reviving science at UKZN.

Congratulating the University, DSI’s Mr Kaizer Moroka said he was impressed that UKZN was behind this project and outlined the funding given to the Institute for the next three years while pleading with ASRI and the University to do this work not only for the country but for the whole continent. Moroka said capacity building should not happen only at UKZN but also entice and promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in schools and transform the sector.

SANSA’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Humbulani Mudau said the launch was a celebration of yet another major leap forward in bringing the SANSA programme to life.

‘The launch of the Aerospace Systems Research Institute was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the incredible strides we’re making towards fulfilling our nation’s dedication to conquering every aspect of the space domain,’ said Mudau. ‘This isn’t just about sending rockets into the sky; it’s about crafting our own destiny among the stars! We’re pouring our hearts and minds into building up our sovereign strength and strategic prowess, ensuring that we’re not just spectators, but active players in the cosmic game.’

ASRI engineers Mr Celimpilo Damane and Dr Sarisha Harrylal said they were grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team.

Mtubatuba-born Damane said his love for rockets and a desire to know more led him to Mechanical Engineering and the ASRI team. He said among the most impressive highlights was the opportunity to give back and being part of the schools’ outreach projects of seeing youngsters interested and fascinated by science.

After graduating with an MBChB, Harrylal wanted to fulfil her dream of becoming a mechanical engineer so she joined the Discipline and later the ASRI team. The only female member, she said her colleagues had been very supportive and everyone was treated equally. As a member of the STEM MentHER programme, Harrylal said she would like to see more female students joining the team.

In a partnership with Dr Kathy Arbuckle of the School of Arts, ASRI unveiled the top four space-inspired animal artworks chosen. These were designed by the School’s Mr Sphelele Zungu and Mr Jared Maistry. Arbuckle said it was exciting to be part of the initiative. ‘This bodes well for work between the Arts and the Sciences. We are adding “steam” to the STEM.’

Dean of Engineering, Professor Glen Bright thanked all the guests for their presence and for making the event a success as well as Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Professor Mosa Moshabela for welcoming the guests; Professor Alan Matthews for directing the evening’s programme; Professor Chats Devroop for the musical entertainment; and the organising team from the College.

Words: Sithembile Shabangu

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

Caption: Seen at the launch is UKZN’s ASRI team with members of University management, guests and academics from the Discipline of Mechanical Engineering.

Published 24 May 2024

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Lifetime Achievement Award for Renowned Chemistry Researcher

UKZN’s Professor Fernando Albericio received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the European Peptide Synthesis Conference (EPSC) 2024 in the Czech Republic for his outstanding contributions to the peptide synthesis community.

Albericio has published more than 900 papers, co-authored four books, filed over 60 patents, and supervised or co-supervised more than 80 PhD students and more than 100 master’s students over his almost 50-year career.

Born the oldest of two sons in Barcelona, Spain, in 1953 to an artist father and a homemaker mother, Albericio was inspired to pursue his studies in chemistry, physics, and biology by an influential teacher, specialising in chemistry at the University of Barcelona, where he first encountered peptides. These strings of amino acids form the building blocks of proteins.

He continued to PhD studies on fragment condensation for the synthesis of peptides, using traditional synthesis methods before the protected 9-fluorenyl methoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) group was commercially available and published his first paper in 1979 on his work on synthesised modified versions of histidine.

Albericio received his PhD in 1980, completing postdoctoral studies at Tufts University, the Université d’Aix-Marseille, and the University of Minnesota between 1981 and 1984. He then returned to his alma mater as a lecturer.

He left academia in 1992 to work as the Director of Peptide Research at Milligen-Biosearch in Boston in the United States, where he helped develop the Milligen 9050 peptide synthesiser and key protecting groups and activation strategies still in use today.

Albericio returned to the University of Barcelona as a full professor in 1995 and served as Executive Director of the Barcelona Science Park from 2005 to 2011, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. This dedication also bore fruit when he founded the “Emprendia” Network-Santander Bank, the first Latin American university network to incubate companies emerging from universities’ research and development. He was also the founding Rector of Yachay Tech in Ecuador.

Albericio joined UKZN in 2012 as a research professor, where he is involved in the University’s mission to transfer knowledge and technology to society.

He led the establishment of UKZN’s Peptide Science Laboratory and heads a group of researchers, postdoctoral fellows and postgraduate students working to develop new technologies – reactions, building blocks, coupling reagents, solid phase supports, protecting groups, and linkers – for the synthesis of peptides.

The group is making peptide synthesis more eco-friendly and sustainable with improved solvents and protecting groups, synthesising peptides and small molecules that have potential for treating cancer and infectious diseases, and with the University of Barcelona and the University of Catania in Italy is developing new antimicrobial peptides.

Nanotechnology developments in the research group include developing new drug delivery systems and diagnostic strategies as part of the Horizon 20/20 programme sponsored by the European Community, involving six other international universities.

More than 30 of the commodities developed by Albericio’s group have reached the market; his work is so extensive that almost any peptide synthesised worldwide uses technology developed by his research group.

Albericio is ranked third among the best chemistry scientists in South Africa by Research.com and holds a prestigious A-rating from the National Research Foundation. He regularly features amongst UKZN’s Top 30 Published Researchers, is editor-in-chief of several scientific journals, and sits on the editorial boards of others.

He received the Murray Goodman Scientific Excellence and Mentorship Award in 2019 from the American Peptide Society and the 2024 Meienhofer Award from the Boulder Peptide Society in honour of his lifetime of achievement in peptide science.

The EPSC organisers congratulated Albericio on 50 years of innovation, technical leadership, and mentorship in peptide science.

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photograph: Supplied

Caption: Professor Fernando Albericio.

Published on 21 June 2024

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Eskom Delegation Visits UKZN to Solidify Partnership on Power Line Inspection Robot

UKZN’s Discipline of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (EECE) hosted a delegation of Eskom representatives at the Science and Technology Innovation Park (STIP) on the Westville campus to further solidify an ongoing partnership between the two institutions.

The collaboration, driven by the development of the Power Line Inspection Robot, seeks to improve current inspection methods of power lines.

Established by Mr Trevor Lorimer and former UKZN Professor, Edward Boje, the inspection robot ‘started off as a master’s project to make powerline inspections a lot more efficient,’ said Lorimer who now heads the Power Line Robotics company as the Managing Director.

Having attracted funding from Eskom’s Research Testing and Development (RT&D), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs’ (EDTEA’s) Technology Transfer Fund, the Power Line Inspection Robot has also garnered interest from the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) in Japan to develop a robot they could trial through legal agreements.

The technology which has been patented in South Africa and the USA and commercialised by InQubate, UKZN’s technology transfer office, aims to cost-effectively reduce the number of faults on powerlines through the use of robotics while deriving the benefits of Power Line Robotics whose intellectual property is protected by UKZN and Eskom.

In his opening remarks, Dean of Research Professor Neil Koorbanally said the University was keen on strengthening partnerships with industry, government organisations and the external University community, to develop relevant and current research which is solving today’s problems.

He added: ‘We hope this sets the tone for further collaborations with the University in all spheres.’

General Manager at Eskom’s RT&D Ms Prudence Madiba said it was a great pleasure to return to her alma mater. Highlighting the role of her division in facilitating the development of technology within Eskom, and supporting the industry, she acknowledged how as a research centre they had a number of collaborations and initiatives nationally.

Evaluating the commercialisation of the Power Line Inspection Robot project, Madiba emphasised the changing tides in negotiating business with Eskom. She said: ‘We are not only funders, but partners there with the intent of making a difference in the economy, and benefiting the societies within which Eskom services.’

Senior lecturer in the Discipline of EECE Dr Andrew Swanson gave the delegates a tour of STIP which included the Smart Grid Building, the Vibration Research and Testing Centre (VRTC), and the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Centre.

In his vote of thanks, acting Director of the HVDC Centre Professor Leigh Jarvis thanked the Eskom delegation for their visit and longstanding relationship. Said Jarvis: ‘I consider the three buildings as an engineering jewel in the crown of UKZN. They are spaces where multi-disciplinary cross-pollination of ideas meet, allowing us to grow our inertia of research within the centre.’

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Albert Hirasen

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Engineering Alumnus Named a “Young Mandela” for Humanitarian Work

Ms Michaela Geytenbeek is among the 30 exceptional South Africans honoured as News24’s Young Mandelas in recognition of their contributions to building a better South Africa.

The Young Mandelas made their mark in six categories: climate literacy and sustainability, social justice, innovation, mental health, humanitarianism, and deepening democracy.

Aged 28, UKZN Mechanical Engineering graduate Geytenbeek was one of eight to be honoured in the humanitarianism category. She founded the Durban-based non-profit, the Kinship Programme, which promotes environmental stewardship and nature-based education for young children.

Geytenbeek described the recognition as overwhelming but views her work as a privilege, believing that recognition can amplify positive impacts.

Geytenbeek’s appreciation for nature began in childhood through outdoor activities with her parents. Initially interested in biomedical engineering, she took a year off to train as a Montessori teacher before studying Mechanical Engineering at UKZN being drawn to the Institution for its strong engineering programmes. She spent time hiking as a student, guiding trips in the Drakensberg mountains, and chairing a student branch of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers. She completed a guiding qualification and started the PathFinders-SA organisation to guide mountaineering trips.

After graduation, Geytenbeek pursued a postgraduate diploma in sustainable development at Stellenbosch University. As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she worked on litter boom designs with Professor Cristina Trois but realised that such interventions were temporary solutions to a broader problem of disconnection from nature. This insight led her to focus on nature connectedness and environmental education.

‘Nature connectedness is a prerequisite for people championing conservation and sustainable living later on,’ said Geytenbeek.

Geytenbeek started the Kinship Programme to address this disconnection, inviting children to explore Durban’s natural spaces. She went on to do her master’s in sustainable development at Stellenbosch University, looking at developing nature connectedness with children using findings from the Kinship Programme.

Geytenbeek expanded the programme to include a consulting wing focused on transforming environmental education. This year she has so far worked with 24 schools using evidence-based approaches to educational transformation.

Last year in her personal capacity, she designed a module on earth stewardship for the Indaba Foundation’s Community Rooted Education Programme for teachers in underserved communities, reaching around 240 women in Cape Town townships.

Geytenbeek sees engineering as providing a strong foundation for running the Kinship Programme, which she describes as a dynamic system requiring continuous adaptation. The programme has grown organically, with a team of facilitators and project-based community work. Her collaborative approach has received positive feedback, highlighting the importance of outdoor experiences for children’s well-being and environmental appreciation.

In a country facing significant environmental and social challenges, Geytenbeek emphasises the need to reconnect with nature, challenging the perception that modern society is separate from the natural world. The Kinship Programme has allowed her to combine creativity with community service, demonstrating that doing good and finding support for these initiatives is possible. She has developed partnerships with schools and secured funding for additional programmes, aiming for long-term impact.

Geytenbeek acknowledged AESSEAL and Zonke Engineering for funding the 2024 school rollout, training, and programme prototype. She also credited the Sustainability Institute and the Savanna Foundation for their support in working towards transformative education.

Words: Christine Cuénod

Photographs: Supplied

Caption: Ms Michaela Geytenbeek with training and school participants in the Kinship Programme.

Published on 16 August 2024

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Annual UKZN Scholarship Awards Celebrate Student Excellence

This year, the University of KwaZulu-Natal awarded more than R50 million worth of scholarships to 1 289 top-performing undergraduate and postgraduate students in honour of their achievements. 

The top 82 students received their awards at the University’s annual Scholarships Awards ceremony held on Wednesday, 21 August – among them were 72 who had excelled academically and 10 who had demonstrated exceptional sporting abilities. 

In his welcome address, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Teaching and Learning and Chair of the Scholarships Committee, Professor Thabo Msibi, said the ceremony was a tribute to the exceptional young men and women who had distinguished themselves through excellent academic and sporting achievements. 

Msibi said the University prioritised providing financial support to deserving students as a commitment to the Institution’s broader mission of fostering academic excellence, promoting innovation and making a meaningful social impact. ‘As a leading Institution, UKZN is investing in our talented students by contributing to the bright future envisioned in our University Strategic Plan 2023-2032 which is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning, enhancing the student experience, conducting meaningful research, driving innovation, engaging with communities and advancing internationalisation.’ 

Applauding the excellent calibre of applications received, Msibi said the task of selecting the award winners was a challenging but fulfilling endeavour. He acknowledged the unwavering commitment of the Scholarships Committee members and Scholarships Office who meticulously reviewed hundreds of applications to identify the most deserving candidates. 

UKZN Chair of Council and guest speaker Mrs Khomotso Mthimunye outlined South Africa’s daunting realities which included the staggering rates of unemployment, saying the country’s hope lay in the youth. ‘It is the young people, including the students we celebrate today, who we entrust to drive the change we so desperately need.’ 

Addressing the recipients, she said: ‘We recognise your potential as powerful agents of change dependent upon your empowerment through education therefore these scholarships aren’t just financial aid but a strategic investment in your potential as individuals.’ 

Ms Humaaira Moosa, a past scholarship recipient currently completing her MSc in Sustainability, Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford in England, shared her journey of acquiring multiple scholarships including the Abe Bailey Travel Bursary for her honours studies which have propelled her to where she is today. She encouraged all recipients to embrace their failures because that was what shaped them for future success. 

In his vote of thanks, Dean of Research Professor Neil Koorbanally acknowledged all stakeholders, including parents and guardians, award recipients, educators and school principals, donors and benefactors, members of Council and Convocation, executives and student leaders. 

‘Your attendance speaks volumes to the value placed on education and your supportive efforts in creating conditions to ensure every student reaches their full potential,’ said Koorbanally. 

Highlights of the evening included the attendance of retired Constitutional Court Judge and the last Chancellor of the former University of Durban-Westville Justice Zac Yacoob who presented the Zac Yacoob Scholarship to the top Honours student Ms Saarisha Govender.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini

Caption: Some of the proud scholarships awardees and guests at this year’s annual Scholarships Awards ceremony.

Published on 26 August 2024