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02 August 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Prof Maryke Labuschagne, a successful scientist who is doing great work to enhance food security on the African continent, admires women who have made an impact, often in male-dominated environments.

Maryke Labuschagne, Professor in Plant Breeding at the University of the Free State (UFS), is known to many for her work to enhance food security. 

She holds the National Research Foundation’s South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair on Disease Resistance and Quality in Field Crops, travelling all over Africa to do research on the genetic improvement of staple food crops in communities. Through decades of research and collaboration, she has also contributed to the establishment of a strong network of researchers on the continent.

During an interview in celebration of Women’s Month, Prof Labuschagne talks about her experiences as a young scientist and how she believes young female researchers should be supported and nurtured. 

Is there a woman who inspires you and who you would like to celebrate this Women’s Month, and why?

Besides the scientists she had the opportunity to work with in countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Eswatini, Tunisia, and Ethiopia, she also met women who are working the fields to produce crops for their families, raising their children, and living in difficult conditions. “These women, who make it work against all odds, inspire me,” says Prof Labuschagne.

Other women she admires and who have made an impact – often in male-dominated environments – include role models from the past, such as former UK prime minister, Margaret Thatcher; physicist Marie Curie, who was far ahead of her time; and American geneticist Barbara McClintock, who won a Nobel Prize in 1983. 

What is your response to current challenges faced by women and available platforms for women development?
 
“When I started working in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS in 1989, it was a different world. It was a totally (white) male-dominated environment. The number of women scientists could be counted on the fingers of one hand, and they were often not given the same opportunities as their male counterparts,” she recalls.

Prof Labuschagne continues: “With women having so many opportunities today, it is now totally different.”

She believes women will always have a double burden – being responsible for a family and having to compete on an equal footing with male colleagues in the workplace. There are now, however, many platforms and support systems specifically for women, and she encourages women to make use of every available form of assistance they can get.

I would say you can have it all. Work hard, believe in yourself, follow your dreams, focus on your goals, see the opportunities – not the challenges, and leave a legacy. – Prof Maryke Labuschagne
 
What advice would you give to the 15-year-old you?

“I would say you can have it all. Work hard, believe in yourself, follow your dreams, focus on your goals, see the opportunities – not the challenges, and leave a legacy.”

She is convinced that young women can have a family and a career, even if they believe it is not possible. 
 
What would you say makes women of quality, impact, and care?
 
“I see many women at the UFS making their mark, making an impact in their chosen fields.”

According to Prof Labuschagne, what would have been unthinkable just a few decades ago, such as women serving as deans and in top management positions, is now a reality. 

“I see young female researchers boldly taking on the world, believing in themselves and their abilities, and knowing they will be successful.” She states that each of these women should be supported and nurtured, as they will have a huge influence on the course of the university’s future.

News Archive

Dr Karen Lazenby appointed as Registrar: Systems and Administration
2015-11-11


Dr Karen Lazenby, Registrar: Systems and Administration

Dr Karen Lazenby, former Director: Client Service Centre at the University of Pretoria (UP), was appointed as Registrar: Systems and Administration at the University of the Free State (UFS) as from 1 November 2015. She will be responsible for student enrolment, administration and services, and International Affairs.

“We are extremely fortunate to have a person of the calibre and experience of Dr Lazenby to join the senior team to help us create a 21st century student-centred management system using the best technologies available. She is without question the leader in her field, and the UFS is delighted to have her as part of the Kovsie community,” says Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS.

Educational background

Dr Lazenby completed the BA (1992) and Honours (1993) degrees in English (cum laude) at the University of Potchefstroom before pursuing a Diploma in Tertiary Education (1996) and a Master's Degree in Computer Integrated Education (1998) at the University of Pretoria. She obtained a PhD in Education in 2003 on the topic ‘Technology and educational innovation: A case study of the virtual campus of the University of Pretoria’ and an Executive MBA from the University of Cape Town in 2006.

A track record to reckon with


Dr Lazenby started her career in higher education as a lecturer in Communication at the VaalTriangle Technikon in 1994, and was appointed as Head of Academic Staff Development the following year.  A year later, she joined Technikon SA as instructional designer at the Centre for Courseware Design and Development, and in 1997 she was appointed as Manager of Institutional Research. She was subsequently seconded to establish TSA Online and coordinate institutional technology. Dr Lazenby was appointed as a project manager at the department of Education Innovation at the University of Pretoria in 1998 where she implemented WebCT/Blackboard, online applications and payments, and student and lecturer portals (virtual campus). In 2000 she was appointed as Deputy Director: Electronic Education.

She was seconded by the UP Executive to establish the Client Service Centre in 2001 to provide integrated, efficient and effective services to students and other clients of the University. During her time as Director: Client Service Centre, she was inter alia, responsible for information and data governance, the intranet, website and call centre of the university, student recruitment, publications, application for study support, study finance, postgraduate scholarships, student accounts, payments, residence placement, access cards and parking, the graduate career office, and international student division. In 2005, she also acted as Director: Corporate Communication and Marketing.

Her vision for the UFS

“I would like to get the university's student administration to such a point that academic staff can focus on teaching and research. Streamlining the enrolment process so that we may see the necessary yield required in terms of our growth target as a university, is my other goal.” She added that capitalising on the strong international positioning of the UFS achieved by Prof Jansen, is a mission she intends to carry out. "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with Prof Jansen and the senior management team and am delighted to be part of the Kovsie community."

Dr Lazenby has published several articles and presented nineteen papers at international conferences.


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