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02 June 2022 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Walter van Niekerk_
If you are so focused on achieving only certain goals in your life, you might miss the best opportunities, believes Dr Walter van Niekerk, who recently received his PhD in Agricultural Economics.

Being relevant in a constantly changing agricultural environment. This is one of Dr Walter van Niekerk’s biggest motivations in his working life. The place where he believes he will be able to do just that, is the University of the Free State (UFS). “The university was the best plan for my life,” he says. 

Whether it is in research or in learning and teaching, Dr Van Niekerk, Lecturer in the UFS Department of Agricultural Economics, believes that with a positive attitude and the ability to be adaptable to change, one will be able to make the most of any opportunity crossing your path. If you give 110% every day, you will be ready for any possibility. He is lecturing Agricultural Finance and Agri-business Management, focusing on agricultural business plans, to first- and third-year students, respectively. 

Contribute to findings on predation management

At the recent April graduation ceremonies, he was awarded his PhD. The title of his thesis was: An estimation of the downstream economic implications of predation in the South African red meat industry.

In his thesis, he outlined the economic impact of predation in the livestock sector and red meat industry. He believes the significant damage caused by predators cannot be controlled by man-made borders. “There is a reason for these animals' existence; they just need to be managed properly at national level by government,” he says.

The aim of his study was to contribute to and combine any findings on the predation problem, and to put these findings on a macroeconomic platform to inform government of the extent of this problem in order for them to develop strategies, policies, and mitigation methods to reduce predation and lessen the impact thereof.

Thus far, excerpts from his thesis have also been published as two articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals – a peer-reviewed journal of the National Museum, Indago, as well as the journal, Frontiers in Sustainable Supply Chain Management.

With predation being a constant point of discussion at agricultural associations’ monthly meetings, he believes that the research topic he has selected for his PhD is relevant and that the outcomes of his study will be able to make a difference in the agriculture sector. His work is more than just theory. He identified a problem – the damage that predation does to the red meat industry – and found a practical solution to it.  

Students staying relevant in a fast-changing environment 

Besides the possible impact he will have on the red meat industry, the PhD was also a means to an end – to develop himself as an agricultural economist in order to become an industry expert in his field.

He also takes his role as lecturer very seriously. It is important to him that his students, once they have completed their studies, must have an actual understanding of the field and that they must be able to stay relevant in a fast-changing environment by practically applying what they have learnt. 

In his free time, Dr Van Niekerk enjoys applying his knowledge. Besides his consultancy work with farmers, he also serves on Free State Agriculture’s Young Farmer Committee, and he is a technical adviser to the National Lucerne Trust (NLT), assisting them with their grading processes to ensure that their quality system is free of any irregularities, and that they stay relevant in the industry. 

News Archive

Conference: Expanded ARV treatment
2005-03-02

VENUE: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
DATE: 30 March 2005 - 1 April 2005

  • ARV Programme as on 24Feb Download Word document
     
  • Programme Special events Download Word document


    Official web site www.fshealth.gov.za/subsites/arvc

     


    Rationale for the Conference
    At the time of the planned Conference, much ground would have been covered, both in the Free State and in South Africa, in respect of the expanded public sector ARV treatment programme in respect of research, experiences in practice, training of staff, treatment of patients, lessons learned, successes and failures, etc. The time would then be quite opportune to share these in a systematic manner with other provinces and countries, as well as with the large variety of stakeholders and role players in the ARV and related domains, be they academics and researchers, policy makers and service/facility managers, the variety of caregivers, and the community organisations and affected patients.

The Conference and current research
The proposed Conference is, firstly, directly linked to the current research on the public sector roll-out of ARV treatment in the Free State conducted by several research institutions (e.g. CIET, CHSR&D, UCT Lung Institute). Secondly, the Conference could and would serve as a forum for other research groups in the country and further a field to report and share knowledge and experiences on ARV treatment and related initiatives. Lastly, the Conference will stage a golden opportunity for researchers and scientists, on the one hand, and policy makers, managers, and caregivers (as knowledge users), on the other hand, to engage in cross-disciplinary discourse on this mutual and topical theme.

Theme of Conference
Expanded ARV treatment in the Free State: sharing experiences

Focus
The focus is primarily on public sector ARV treatment in the Free State, but also initiatives/activities/perspectives of relevance to the Free State elsewhere in the country at large and further a field, as well as relevant ARV initiatives in the public, private, NGO and FBO sectors. Bear in mind, however, that ARV treatment is but part of a much more comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS. The Conference will, therefore, not narrowly focus on the ARV treatment programme only. The broader context, other relevant dimensions, and a comprehensive approach to the challenges of HIV, AIDS and TB are of equal importance.

The purpose of the Conference
Enhance meaningful exchange, mutual understanding and collaboration among researchers, scientists, policy makers, managers and practitioners in the field of ARV treatment and related fields.

Share experiences in the various spheres of ARV treatment and related spheres (policy, management, practice, research, training, public-private-civil society sectors).

Record, reflect and report on the establishment of the ARV treatment programme in the Free State, and in within the context of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS programme.

Disseminate important research results on ARV treatment and related themes to health policy makers, managers, practitioners, communities and to the research community.

Stimulate discourse among various disciplines and various stakeholders/role players involved in ARV treatment and related programmes.

Sensitise and acquaint researchers to the requirements of policy makers, managers and practitioners in respect of ARV treatment and related fields.

Facilitate the implementation of research results in ARV treatment policy, programmes and practice.

Dissemination of Conference-related information
Information generated during the Conference could feed into policy, management and practice of ARV treatment, the training accompanying such programme, and the existing body of knowledge. After the Conference the information will be disseminated via the Internet and by scientific and popular publications.

Date and duration
Set for 30 & 31 March & 1 April 2005; to commence at 09:00 on the first day (30 March) and to end at 16:30 (1 April) the third day.

Format and scope of Conference
Alternating plenary, parallel sessions and debates focused on topical issues and interest groups. The Conference will strive to be maximally interactive and participative.

Themes and topics to cover:

  • Policy, management and health services/practice (various levels and contexts – clinical treatment, information, IT systems, pharmacy, laboratories, nutrition)
     
  • Research covering all relevant disciplines and diverse dimensions of ARV treatment and related themes
  • Training and evaluation of training
  • Patients, communities and civil society organisations
  • Public, private, NGO, FBO initiatives and partnerships

Emphasis will be on the Free State, however, with of significant involvement from other provinces, SADC countries, and countries further a field. The thrust will be to export lessons and experiences from the Free State, but also to import lessons and experiences from other provinces, countries and sectors.

Presenters
Key presenters from the Free State, other provinces, South Africa, from the private, FBO and NGO sectors, and from several other countries

Delegates
About half of the delegates will be Free State stakeholders and role players (all levels and all contexts). The other half will be role players and stakeholders in the ARV and related fields from other provinces, the national level, and other countries, as well as from the private, public and non-governmental sectors.

Focused workshops
Provision will be made for half-a-day or one-day workshop initiatives on the third day (1 April 2005).

Enquiries
For more information please contact:

Prof Dingie van Rensburg
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
PO Box 339
Bloenfontein
SOUTH AFRICA
9300

Contact:
Carin van Vuuren
Conference Organiser
Centre for Health Systems Research & Development
University of the Free State
P.O.Box 339
Bloemfontein
South Africa
9300
Tel +27 (0) 51 401 2181
Fax +27 (0) 51 4480370
Cell 0832932890
e-mail: arvconference.hum@mail.uovs.ac.za

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