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Changes in Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences contribute to food security

15 February 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo istock

Food security_web read more — The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences has reorganised three of its departments, and as a result the Departments of Animal Science, Microbiology and Biochemistry, and Sustainable Food Systems and Development have been established.

In a continuous effort to inspire excellence and transform lives, the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) has reorganised three of its departments. The entities that were affected include what was known as the Department of Consumer Science; the Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences; and the Division of Food Science.

The Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences has changed to Animal Science, while the Department of Consumer Science and the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development, and Extension (CENSARDE) merged to become the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development.

Sustainable food systems

Both the Department of Consumer Science and CENSARDE are major contributors to studies on food systems. According to Prof Johan van Niekerk, Head of the new Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, the two academic entities create a natural link that provides the potential for training, development, and research from a food systems perspective to benefit the local and national agri-business sector.

Prof van Niekerk elaborates: “Food systems can be defined as the processes involved in providing food, fibre, and fuel products. These processes include growing, harvesting, processing, preparing, packaging, transporting, marketing, consumption, and waste management.”

“In terms of the academic structure at the UFS, the processing, preparing, and packaging of food resided within the Department of Consumer Sciences. The processes of growing, harvesting and food production, on the other hand, resided within the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture. The newly established Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development holds the potential to combine the academic expertise of two separate entities into an interdisciplinary body that focuses on sustainable food systems from a holistic perspective.”

Relevant on a global scale

According to Prof Frikkie Neser, Head of the now Department of Animal Science, it is a worldwide phenomenon that Animal Science and all its related disciplines are classified under the name Animal Science.

As part of the changes in this discipline, Meat Science, Dairy Science, and Wool Science will again be presented within the department. Meat scientist, Prof Arno Hugo, and dairy scientist, Dr Koos Myburgh, and their support staff also joined the department.

According to Prof Neser, the changes will also lead to the establishment of a Meat and Dairy Unit, an Animal Breeding Genomics and Bioinformatics Unit (ABGB), and a Dairy Processing Unit. The latter will be hosted on the Paradys Experimental Farm outside Bloemfontein.

Prof Neser says that changes to the department will simplify the curriculum without compromising the quality of the content or the professional registration of Animal Science students.

“Students will be exposed to the full value chain in meat, dairy, and wool, and research and product development can be conducted in our own fully equipped facilities,” says Prof Neser.

The changes will also lead to a better service to the industry. “Quality as well as chemical and microbial composition of meat will be tested for the whole meat industry. A similar service will also be provided for the dairy industry,” he says.

“A consulting service will also be available,” adds Prof Neser.

Furthermore, he says that the ABGB Unit will provide a statistical and analytical service to the university and the industry. “With the unit, it is possible to create a research facility that can coordinate and enhance all animal breeding research in the country, which will help South Africa to remain relevant on a global scale.”

As much as it will have a global footprint, the department will also add value on a local basis by presenting short courses in all disciplines for both commercial and emerging farmers, as well as the community as a whole.

“We will also continue to build on relationships with other universities, research and government institutions,” says Prof Neser.

Changes to Division of Food Science

Another significant change that took place in the faculty was in the Division of Food Science. With the changes taking place in the Division of Food Science, the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology is now known as the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry.

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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