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17 September 2018
Photo Charl Devenish
“There’s this misconception among young people that science is difficult and that it’s somehow a man’s domain,” says Innocensia Mangoato, Masters student in Pharmacology, who has just been awarded in the prestigious Women in Science Awards by the Department of Science and Technology.
Cannabis research
Innocensia won in the Master’s Degree category for her research on the use of cannabis in reversing anticancer drug resistance. Her department had to apply for a special permit to grow cannabis for research and medicinal purposes.
“Her findings have already indicated a promising reversal of resistance to drugs in a variety of cancers. We plan to explore these results further in a possible PhD,” says her study leader, Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa.
Innocensia says she’s always had an interest in science, and initially wanted to study medicine. She ended up doing a BSc in Physiology and Genetics.
She hopes that her research will help government to develop a policy around the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes which could ultimately lead to developing cancer treatment with fewer side-effects.
Female mentors
“My mentor during my Honours studies was Dr Makhotso Lekhoa. Her passion for her field and her patience in conveying it to others really inspired me. We have some very powerful women in our Pharmacology Department,” says Innocensia.
Passion for science
“You know you’re passionate about your work when you find yourself going to the lab on Sunday afternoons!” she says. “I’m happy that I can be contributing to the knowledge production on this campus. And maybe one day I can be a mentor to other girls with that same passion for science.”
UFS participates in the World Conference on Higher Education
2009-07-21
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Proff. Driekie Hay and Aldo Stroebel recently participated as invited delegates in the World Conference on Higher Education held at the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris, France. More than 1 200 delegates attended the conference. The new Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, represented the African Union as Chairperson of the Ministers of Education in Africa. The 2009 World Conference provided a global platform for forward-looking debate on one of the most rapidly changing fields within the global learning landscape. It took stock of transformation in higher education since the 1998 World Conference on Higher Education and addressed the new dynamics likely to shape the strategic agenda for the development of future higher education policies and institutions. In November 2008 Prof. Stroebel attended the Regional Consultative session for Africa in Dakar in preparation for the World Conference.
Photo: Supplied |