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12 November 2018 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Stephen Collett
Inaugural lecture focuses on aspects of soil classification
Prof Cornie Van Huyssteen delivered his inaugural lecture on the topic: ‘The world in a grain of sand’, at the ninth inaugural lecture at the UFS this year.

Humans classify their environment to create order, make it more understandable, aid recollection and to communicate. As important it is for humans to classify their environments, so it is to classify soil, said Prof Cornie van Huyssteen.

Prof Van Huyssteen has studied and recorded data on soil worldwide to find the most appropriate use of land, in among others, the agriculture and mining sector and for urban development. 

It is all about soil

He was vice-chair of the International Union of Soil Sciences working group for the World Reference Base, and president of the Soil Science Society of South Africa. From 1991 to 1999 he worked at the Institute for Soil, Climate and Water of the Agricultural Research Council, where he aided in the land type survey and spatial analysis of soil data.

At his recent inauguration to full professor Prof Van Huyssteen delivered the ninth inaugural lecture at the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein Campus for 2018, talking about a matter close to his heart, soil. He titled the lecture: ‘The world in a grain of sand’. 

Relevant to irrigation scheduling

A professor in the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Prof Van Huyssteen’s research focuses on the relationship between soil morphology and soil hydrology. It can mostly be applied to hydropedology, wetland delineation, urban development, mining EIAs, irrigation scheduling and soil classification.

Prof Van Huyssteen joined the UFS in 2000, and in 2004, he completed his PhD in Soil Science. He is also author or co-author of 25 reviewed papers.

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Intervarsity 2013 a paragon of friendly rivalry
2013-08-06

 

Photo: RooistoelTv
10 August 2013

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The recent intervarsity between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the North-West University was a huge success. This 70th celebration of intervarsity between the two institutions, which took place for the first time in 1927, is the oldest event of its kind in South Africa.

According to Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs at the UFS, it is also the most comprehensive and most innovative intervarsity in the country and since 2010 includes all incorporated campuses of universities such as the University of the North. The focus is no longer on sports only, but also on cultural programmes and forums for discussion between student leaders.

Of the 32 sport and culture activities intervarsities between the UFS and the NWU, the UFS won 16, the NWU 13 and three ended in a tie.

Sports and cultural activities like debate were held across the Bloemfontein Campus. Record numbers of supporters attended the different matches, debating competitions and festivities. The first SRC Presidents’ Reunion that took place during the intervarsity is regarded as a special milestone in the history of the UFS.

“We are particularly satisfied that students of diverse backgrounds and campuses took part in and attended intervarsity events and in this way showcased the rich variety of Kovsies with great pride,” Buys said.

“The successful course of the intervarsity confirms that it is important for the UFS to maintain its proud history of almost 100 years with the NWU, but to also update in order to reflect our young democracy and in pace with a young generation of South Africans who are now our students,” Buys concluded.

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