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PhD student Alina Ntsiapane dominates in international research pitching contest

10 May 2022 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

Alina Ntsiapane, a PhD student at the University of the Free State, obtained second place in the partners category of the International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) CapDev Grand Challenge research pitching contest, which took place on 13 April 2022. The pitching contest is the first part of the CapDev Grand Challenge, which is a 10-month process aimed at equipping scientists with the necessary skills to contribute to new research.

Presenting Research to a Tough Panel of Judges

Ntsiapane was one of 30 contestants who presented their research virtually to a panel of esteemed judges. “It was not easy, it was very challenging for me because it was my first time presenting my PhD study and I had to do it live on an international platform,” expressed Ntsiapane. Although each contestant is thoroughly prepared for their respective presentations, Ntsiapane argues that some of the questions asked by the judges can be quite daunting. “Some of their questions were very challenging and I did not know how to respond to them, but they made me aware of ways in which I needed to improve my research,” she stated. However, regardless of the intensity of the pitching contest, Ntsiapane’s research allowed her to progress to the next stage of the CapDev Grand Challenge. She will be part of the rigorous 10-month training process that will begin in June 2022.

Ntsiapane’s Research Project

Ntsiapane’s PhD research focuses on the production of smallholder wool as a means to improve livelihoods in both Thaba ’Nchu and Botshabelo in the Free State. In fact, in the research Ntsiapane highlights that there has been a significant decline in the production of wool within the last three decades. As such, Ntsiapane believes it is imperative to create spaces that allow for the training of small-scale farmers, so that the production of wool can still be a possibility.

Consequently, Ntsiapane hopes that the 10-month training she will receive from the CapDev Grand Challenge will not only allow her to grow but will assist in opening doors for her. “I’m hoping to get exposure and to make connections with policy makers and the donors as well. This will assist me in achieving my goals,” she explained.

Future Endeavours After the Training Course

Subsequent to the training course, Ntsiapane would like to utilise that knowledge by continuing to make her most recent project a reality. Ntsiapane is currently working on developing a television show aimed at providing adequate training to small-scale farmers, so that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and understanding of the industry in which they find themselves. As such, being part of the CapDev Grand Challenge will allow her to learn some of the necessary ways in which this dream could become a reality.

News Archive

UFS wins national serenade competition

2010-09-07

The men from Veritas show why they won the National “Sêr” competition.
Photo: Provided

After many months’ practice, sweat and late nights, the “sêr” group of Veritas, a men’s residence at the University of the Free State (UFS) managed to make name nationally and bring home a coveted crown.

At the recent National “Sêr” Competition hosted by Stellenbosch University (US), this group of talented young men made a clean sweep when they snatched up the prizes in the Men’s Residence section, the best performance of a song for their gospel medley, as well as the prize for the overall winners.

The competition, which took place at three venues, was attended by approximately 3 000 people. The competition was presented in the Endler Hall of the Music Conservatory of the US and the halls of the Secondary School Bloemhof and Paul Roos Gymnasium. According to Corneil Müller, one of the adjudicators at the Endler Hall, the majority of the adjudicators agreed that Veritas deserved the first prize. The other adjudicators at this hall were Karen Meiring, Bondina Osterhoff, Saranti Rheeders, Leonore Bredekamp and Sidumo Jacobs.

According to the head student of Veritas and second tenor in the “sêr” group, the group did not really expect to win all the prizes. However, when the audience gave them a standing ovation, the group started to think that the first prize really was within their reach.

Their gospel medley is close to the hearts of the entire group. It is the men’s way to say thank you for their talents. “It is a very special song for us – it means a lot to each one in our group,” says Herman. To win the prize with for this medley for the best performance of a song was the cherry on the top for these men. “We did not even know that such a prize existed!” says Herman.

The ladies of Sonnedou Residence’s “sêr” group also participated in the competition. This section of the competition was won by Vergeet-My-Nie from the North-West University (NWU).

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication (actg.)
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl@ufs.ac.za
7 September 2010

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