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Science chose me

11 February 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Ané van der Merwe

Dr van der Merwe_web read more — Dr Ismari van der Merwe was instrumental in establishing the new Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development.

Dr Ismari van der Merwe believes that by forging strong relationships, women can affect virtually every aspect of their students' lives, teaching them vital life lessons that will help them succeed beyond term papers and standardised tests.

She states that it is not always easy to change a student's life, so it takes a great teacher to do so. “You, as a teacher, have a very significant, lifelong impact on all your students. This impact involves not only the teaching of particular academic skills, but as importantly, the fostering of student self-esteem.”

“Reinforcing self-esteem in the classroom is associated with increased motivation and learning,” she says.

Dr Van der Merwe is Lecturer and Programme Director in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at the University of the Free State (UFS).

On 11 February – International Day of Women and Girls in Science – the UFS is celebrating her not only for the impact she has on her students, but also for being instrumental in establishing the new Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, putting the UFS on the international forefront.

A sustainable food system

“We want our students to be part of a sustainable food system that provides healthy food that meets food needs, while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for generations to come, with minimal negative impact to the environment,” she says.

“The right to food is a fundamental human right.”

Dr Van der Merwe believes that a healthy personal food system and how it is managed is now more critical than ever before.

Her current work involves managing the five main food-related values of taste, health, cost, time, and social relationships, as well as other less prominent values of symbolism, ethics, variety, safety, waste, and quality within these personal food systems. She feels the prominence of these values varies among us as well as across our eating situations. “More research on this will be fascinating,” says Dr Van der Merwe.

A male-dominated field

On the role of women in science, Dr Van der Merwe says it is often considered a male-dominated field. “According to United Nations data, less than 30% of scientific researchers worldwide are women,” she states.

Telling her story about becoming a scientist, she says that science chose her. “Many scientists have reported that their interest and curiosity in science or the natural world started in early childhood.”

We want our students to be part of a sustainable food system that provides healthy food that meets food needs, while maintaining healthy ecosystems that can also provide food for generations to come, with minimal negative impact to the environment. – Dr Ismari van der Merwe

“I started as a teacher and ended up working for the Agricultural Research Council, where I was responsible for a research programme on dry beans and started a small-scale research factory.”

“Later when we moved to Bloemfontein, I joined the UFS. Here I am privileged to be able to do research and teach. Science chose me as part of my life journey, and I never looked back.”

News Archive

Open Day attracts thousands

2012-05-02

Campus was abuzz with prospective students and their parents finding out what Kovsies has to offer.
Photo: Kaleidoscope Studios
1 May 2012

“It is easier to pass Grade 12 today because we don’t have a standard. However, at the University of the Free State, standards are important.”

This was Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS’ message when he addressed a packed Callie Human Centre on the Bloemfontein Campus during this year’s Open Day.

“This university is the jewel of the country. Here at Kovsies we take academic standards seriously. You must know who you are in a place where academic standards are extremely important. Anyone can obtain a degree, but here you can get more than a degree. You get an education,” he said to the more than 5 000 learners and parents from across the country.

“It is not only important that you study here in South Africa, but also in other countries. That is why our students study all over the world. You must think out of your comfort zone, have a big heart, achieve great heights and show everyone that you are a Kovsie.

But, it is not all about studying – it is also about being human and reaching out to others. When you come to this university, you will also do other things that will make you proud of being a Kovsie.

Quality looks for quality. Therefore, work hard and study hard because you need to be at a good university,” he said.

The programme consisted of, among others, a spectacular laser show, a performance by Bobby van Jaarsveld and special messages from DW Bester and Sannah Mokone, Rhodes Scholars currently studying at Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

In a pre-recorded message DW, a Ph.D. student in Mathematical Statistics, encouraged prospective students to work hard and persevere. Sannah, doing a Master’s degree in African Studies, said she believes in the future of the African continent. “I believe in our future students and know you can make it.”

Prof. Jansen also introduced some of the university’s recent student achievers such as Jurie Swart, regional winner of the Corobrik Architectural Student of the Year Award; Farzana Samuel, named by the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) as the most outstanding student in quantity surveying for 2012; and Sibusiso Tshabalala, one of Google’s Top 10 Young Minds.

Richard Chemaly, President of the Central Student Representative Council (CSRC), said that, by coming to Kovsies, prospective students would become the best person they can be. “We have over 70 student organisations to help you take part in student life activities. So, make use of these opportunities,” he said.

The programme concluded with an introduction to the seven faculties by the respective deans.

The estimated 7 000 prospective students and their parents also had the opportunity to visit faculties and the stalls of residences.

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