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10 November 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo SUPPLIED
Muthianzhele Ravuluma receives an award from Prof Sebastian Leuzinger from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
Muthianzhele Ravuluma receives an award from Prof Sebastian Leuzinger from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.

A PhD student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has won the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Young Minds award for the Best Paper and Best Poster Presentation during the 12th International Workshop on Sap Flow, which was held in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Muthianzhele Ravuluma from the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Science who is working on his PhD in Agrometeorology, presented a paper on “Sapflow Dynamics of Young and Mature Pomegranate Trees Under Irrigation” during the four-day symposium that took place between 30 October and 3 November 2023. Agrometeorology is the study of the soil, plant and atmosphere continuum. In simple terms, it is called agricultural meteorology, which is the study of the influence of weather and climate on agriculture.

Encourage do and learn more 

“I feel thankful to being given an opportunity like this, and winning the award was a surprise. Still, I am happy and grateful for the support from my promoters and the Pomegranate Water Use Project members. This encourages me to do more and to learn more about new technologies in the field of agriculture,” he says. 

Ravuluma travelled to New Zealand with his promotor Dr Phumudzo Tharaga to present his research and to learn from other researchers is the field. His research looks at the water use of pomegranate trees under irrigation in a Mediterranean climate. 

A proud Dr Tharaga says he is happy to know that the guidance he has been giving to Ravuluma is fruitful and improving his academic and research capabilities. “I feel proud as a supervisor, which makes my dream come true of ensuring that all postgraduate students can showcase their work on international stages,” says Dr Tharaga. 

Hosting next symposium 

Together with Prof Rob Skelton from Wits University, they also successfully bid to host in the 13th International Sap Flow Workshop in South Africa – beating China and the US in the process. All three colleagues will collaborate as conveners of the workshop in South Africa during October/November 2026. 

“It is an honour to be recognised and entrusted by the international community of scientists who would like to showcase their work in South Africa. As the convener of the conference, I am happy that it will be hosted in our country for the first time since the inception of the Sap Flow Working Group. Scientists and researchers in South Africa will be able to interact with their peers from different parts of the world,” concludes Dr Tharaga.

Dr Phumudzo Tharaga congratulates Muthianzhele Ravuluma on winning the  prestigious award.

Dr Phumudzo Tharaga congratulates Muthianzhele Ravuluma on winning the  prestigious award. 

News Archive

Business breakfast nurtures key partnerships
2014-09-05

 

Dr Reuel Khoza

In growing and nurturing key projects and initiatives, the university hosted more than fifty partners and alumni at a business breakfast in Sandton, Johannesburg on 27 August 2014. The occasion was conceived by Institutional Advancement in collaboration with the Office of the Vice-Chancellor and Rector.

Discussions focused on the central role which institutional partnerships play in growing the university’s capacity to extend its reach in supporting schools and growing technologically-based educational tools for disadvantaged communities around the Free State and the country at large.

In his remarks, Prof Jansen thanked partners for their continued support and for joining hands with the university in supporting key projects and initiatives that have improved the level of education in the Free State, provided skills development and nurtured young leaders.

The guest of honour Dr Reuel Khoza, non-Executive Chairman of Nedbank and co-host Dr Marcus Ingram, Director of Institutional Advancement, discussed the role of meaningful leadership in the African context and social and political structures that are instrumental in developing future leaders. As stated simply but powerfully by Dr Khoza, “If not us, then who?”

In attendance were heads of corporations, key role players in partner organisations and NGOs, alumni and Corporate Social Investment specialists from leading financial institutions. 
 

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