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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

School of Medicine boasts with a new unit

2013-02-22

New Clinical Skills Simulation unit is one of its kind.
Photo: Supplied
22 February 2013

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) can now boasts with a new Medical Clinical Skills Simulation unit (MCSU) at the School of Medicine.

This newly established Clinical Simulation Unit is the first dedicated clinical simulation unit of its kind in South Africa. It was opened on Thursday 21 February 2013.

This facility is equipped with an operating theatre, Intensive Care Unit, two simulation and three private rooms.

In addition, the Unit has control rooms with cameras for recording purposes and debriefing facilities, the latter with video equipment for playback of recorded scenarios.

The Simulation Unit at the UFS’ School of Medicine is based on accredited units in the USA and the UK.

Dr Mathys Labuschagne, Head of the Simulation Unit, says the concept for this kind of unit is still new, but is already a very important part of clinical skills training in the health professions.

“We are the only university in South Africa with a unit dedicated to clinical skills simulation only and not a combination of clinical skills training which includes some simulation.”

The primary goal of the MCSU is to provide educational opportunities to undergraduate and postgraduate medical students, as well as opportunities for other healthcare students in the Faculty of Health Sciences, to be exposed to inter-professional skills training. The MCSU will play a role in quality assurance of training and assessment, as well as research.

The aim of the Clinical Simulation Unit is to provide a facility where medical and other healthcare students or professionals can be exposed to:

Training in a safe environment.
Training without harm to the patient.
Scenario-based learning.
Debriefing.

The facility will also be utilised for post-qualification refresher and training courses.

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