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Qwaqwa Campus to host 46th SAAB Conference

30 December 2019 | Story Thabo Kessah | Photo Rian Horn

UFS Qwaqwa Campus — Hundreds of international botanists will be attending the 46th SAAB Annual Conference on the Qwaqwa Campus.

The University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus is gearing up to host the 46th Annual Conference of the South African Association of Botanists from 7 to 10 January 2020. Talking about the choice of venue, Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Dr Sandy-Lynn Steenhuisen, said the unique setting in the shadow of the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains highlights the Qwaqwa Campus as a fantastic base for interdisciplinary montane studies. “This is the home of the Afromontane Research Unit (ARU), and it will also give the delegates an opportunity to explore a treasure trove of botanical diversity on a post-conference tour to the top of the Amphitheatre in the Northern Drakensberg,” she said.

International delegates

“The conference will be attended by approximately 250 delegates representing at least 10 countries. We are very excited to host two international and two national plenaries, namely Prof Peter Linder (University of Zürich), Prof Felipe Amorim (São Paulo State University – UNESP), Prof Annah Moteetee (University of Johannesburg), and our Young Botanist award winner from SAAB 2019, Ryan Rattray from GeneLethu Laboratories.”

SAAB 2020 is open to all researchers, industry partners, and citizen scientists from any botanical field. “The theme will embrace Qwaqwa’s cultural heritage by using the Sesotho phrase ‘Dimela ke bophelo’, which translates to ‘Plants are life’. This theme emphasises the dependence of all earthly life on plants. Delegates are offered the opportunity to book residence accommodation adjacent to the conference venue, and our conference organisers, XL Millennium, are eager to help with registration and any travel arrangements,” she added.

Botanists to be awarded

The conference will also be honouring botanists for their lifetime contributions to the field of plant sciences with the awarding of gold and silver medals, and the best doctoral thesis from the previous year with a bronze medal. These will be awarded during the gala dinner at the end of the conference.

News Archive

Prof. André Keet appointed to Ministerial Oversight Committee on Higher Education

2013-01-15

Prof. André Keet
Photo: Anja Aucamp
24 January 2013

Prof. André Keet, Director of the Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice at the university, has been appointed as member of the Oversight Committee on the Transformation of South African Universities. He is one of seven committee members that were appointed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Training to monitor progress on transformation in public universities.

The committee will advise Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training, on policy to combat racism, sexism and other forms of unfair discrimination in public higher education. The committee will also advise on the role of universities in promoting the development of a free, fair and non-discriminatory society beyond the world of the academia.

The senior leadership of the university has welcomed the appointment of Prof. Keet and said with his extensive experience as a former Commissioner on the Commission for Gender Equality and as the Director of the university's Institute for Reconciliation and Social Justice (which was formed as one of several initiatives taken by the senior leadership in the aftermath of the Reitz incident), Prof. Keet will be a valuable member of the committee.

"Prof. Keet has the experience and expertise to guard the autonomy and academic freedom of universities, thus avoiding this committee from becoming a political intervention in the affairs of the higher education sector," said Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the university.

Honoured to be elected on the committee, Prof. Keet said he is ready to serve the national interest in the transformation of South African universities. "The appointment is also a compliment to the university and to its exceptional experience in the process of transformation."

Prof. Keet will serve on the committee for a period of three years. The other members of the committee are Prof. Malegapuru Makgoba, who will serve as chairperson, Dr Mvuyo Tom, Ms Nazeema Mohamed, Ms Zingiswa Losi, Mr Joe Mpisi and Prof. Shirley Walters.

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