Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
18 April 2019
|
Story Ilze Bakkes
|
Photo Charl Devenish
The University of the Free State invites all Grade 12 learners and their parents to the UFS Open Days. The Bloemfontein Campus open day will be on 11 May 2019.
BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS OPEN DAY – 11 MAY 2019
The programme for the Bloemfontein Open Day has been streamlined to allow for more time in the faculties in order to gather the necessary academic information. Therefore, there will not be a collective welcoming programme; however, the academic programme for the respective faculties can be visited DIRECTLY from 09:00. All exhibitions are open from 09:00 till 15:00.
1. Academic programme in the respective faculties: There will be two welcoming and information sessions by the Dean of each faculty.
a. Session 1: 09:00–10:00
b. Session 2: 11:00–12:00
c. The venue for each faculty is:
i. Economic and Management Sciences: EMS Auditorium
ii. Education: New Education Auditorium
iii. Health Sciences: Francois Retief Building
iv. Natural and Agricultural Sciences: Callie Human Centre
v. Law: Equitas Building
vi. The Humanities Odeion
vii. Theology and Religion: Theology Building, Room 21
2. Administrative services in the H van der Merwe Scholtz Hall: Bring your Grade 11 results and a copy of your ID should you wish to apply for 2020 undergraduate studies during the Open Day.
a. Online and hard-copy applications
b. Admissions
c. General Enquiries
d. UFS Student Recruitment Services
e. Centre for Teaching and Learning
f. Financial Aid
g. Tuition Fees
h. Housing and Residence Affairs
i. National Benchmark Tests
j. University Access Programmes
k. KovsieGear merchandise
l. Library and Information Services
3. Student Life programme in front of the Main Building
a. Career
b. Student Life Colleges and Residence Communities exhibitions
c. Arts and Culture
d. Center for Universal Access and Disability Support (CUADS)
e. Counselling and Development
f. Gender and Sexual Equity Office
g. Student Media
h. Student Wellness and Social Support
4. Residence Colleges: Visit the exhibitions of the on-campus residences on the lawn in front of the Main Building.
5. Student Associations exhibitions at the Thakaneng Bridge
a. Academic associations
b. Charity-based student associations
c. Cultural-based student associations
d. Political associations
e. Religious associations
6. Visit KovsieSport and the KovsieFit Gym at their offices in the basement of the Callie Human Centre.
GENERAL
Unfortunately, no food parcels will be provided to learners. Open Day programmes will be distributed at all entrances on both campuses.
If you require any further information about the Open Days, please contact +27 51 401 3384/9028.
2020 APPLICATIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES ARE NOW OPEN
Keep in mind that there is limited space in each programme and to avoid disappointment, your learners are advised to apply for 2020 undergraduate studies as soon as possible. Application to study at the University of the Free State is FREE. To apply now, click here.
Plant eco-physiologist finds effective solutions for crop optimisation
2016-07-24
The bio-stimulant was tested on
this citrus. This is the first time
that the product has been tested
on a crop.
In a time characterised by society facing increasing population growth, food crises, and extreme climatic conditions such as drought, it is essential for farmers to integrate science with their work practices in order to optimise crops.
Role of photosynthesis and plant sap data
By knowing how to use photosynthesis and plant sap data for determining plant health, fast and effective solutions could be established for the optimisation of crops. This technique, which could help farmers utilise every bit of usable land effectively, is the focus of Marguerite Westcott’s PhD study. She is a junior lecturer and plant eco-physiologist in die Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State.
Westcott uses this technique in her studies to prove that a newly-developed bio-stimulant stimulates plants in order to metabolise water and other nutrients better, yielding increased crops as a result.
Agricultural and mining sectors benefit from research
The greatest part of these projects focuses on the agricultural sector. Westcott and a colleague, Dr Gert Marais, are researching the physiology of pecan and citrus trees in order to optimise the growth of these crops, thus minimising disease through biological methods. Field trials are being conducted in actively-producing orchards in the Hartswater and Patensie areas in conjunction with the South African Pecan Nut Producers Association (SAPPA) amongst others.
The principles that Westcott applies in her research are also used in combination with the bio-stimulant in other studies on disturbed soil, such as mine-dump material, for establishing plants in areas where they would not grow normally. This is an economical way for both the agricultural and mining sectors to improve nutrient absorption, stimulate growth, and contribute to the sustainable utilisation of the soil.
The bio-stimulant contributes to the immunity of the plants.
It was tested in these pecan nut orchards (Hartswater).
Soil rehabilitation key aspect in research projects
“One of two things is happening in my research projects. Either the soil is rehabilitated to bring about the optimal growth of a plant, or the plants are used to rehabilitate the soil,” says Westcott.
Data surveys for her PhD studies began in 2015. “This will be a long-term project in which seasonal data will be collected continuously. The first set of complete field data, together with pot trial data, will be completed after the current crop harvest,” says Westcott.