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31 December 2019
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Story Dr Cindé Greyling
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Photo Anja Aucamp
Dr Mariana Erasmus, SAENSE Platform Manager, says water remediation is vital for both the ecosystem and industries.
KovsieInnovation at the UFS supports innovative research outputs in various ways – one of which is to protect the intellectual property and to register patents where viable. This is in line with KovsieInnovation’s broader aim to create third-stream income for the university. Patent registration is a complex process and the UFS is proud to have the needed expertise to properly facilitate such an endeavour.
The SAENSE Platform
South Africa is a water-scarce country, with many water hungry industries (such as agriculture and mining). “Industrial processes often contaminate water with heavy metals, harmful chemicals, radioactive waste, and even organic sludge,” Dr Mariana Erasmus, SAENSE Platform Manager, explains.
Hence, water remediation is vital for both the ecosystem and industries. One of the key functions of the SAENSE Platform is to offer water-remedial solutions for the (bio)remediation of nitrates, heavy metals, and salts, among others. The platform’s activities and services are supported by undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers, using Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) funding. TIA is a national public entity that serves as key institutional intervention to bridge the innovation chasm between research and development.
From waste to water
Through the joint effort of two mining companies and the UFS/TIA SAENSE Research Platform, a new treatment for mine drainage (MD) has been developed. This patented B-DAS (Barium – Dispersed Alkaline Substrate) technology effectively treats the major contaminants found in acid, alkaline, or neutral mining wastewater. The aim of the B-DAS system is to provide a passive water-treatment solution with minimum waste production; it can also be a potential pre-treatment for reverse osmosis (RO) to lower the requirements of the membranes and therefore potentially reduce the RO cost.
The success of the patent is that it turns unusable water into water that is fit for agricultural purposes at a reduced cost and increased efficiency.
UFS salary model makes salary adjustment of 16,13% possible
2008-12-11
Staff from the University of the Free State (UFS) will receive a salary adjustment of 16,13% for 2009. This adjustment is 2,78% higher than the 13,35% that was agreed by the management and unions last month.
The UFS has received the actual state subsidy for 2009 from the Department of Education. The amount is significantly higher than previously calculated as a result of a once-off inflationary adjustment that was made.
“The good news is that, as a result of the application of our Multi-Year, Income-Related Remuneration Improvement Model, this increased subsidy can be passed on to staff members in full,” said Mr Lourens Geyer, Director of Human Resources at the UFS.
“We are grateful that we can pass on this favourable salary adjustment to UFS staff members. This adjustment makes our remuneration packages more competitive with those of other universities, and also facilitates the retention of skilled personnel. We have experienced an exceptionally challenging and difficult 2008. For this reason, we are grateful that we are able to compensate staff members for their hard work and loyal support in a special way by granting this excellent salary adjustment,” said Prof. Teuns Verschoor, Acting Rector of the UFS.
The implementation date for the salary adjustment is 1 January 2009. The adjustment will be calculated on the total remuneration package.
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Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
11 December 2008
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