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15 February 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo SUPPLIED
Crespen Ndlovua nd Reabetswe Parkies
Crespen Ndlovu (PhD Research Fellow in the Higher Education and Human Development Research Group (HEHD) at the University of the Free State) and Reabetswe Parkies (Senior Officer in Marketing in the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State).

The University of the Free State (UFS) proudly sent two PhD students to the inaugural ‘Swiss-African PhD Winter School on Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development,’ held by the Bern University of Applied Sciences Business School from 22 to 26 January 2024 in Switzerland. Representing UFS were Reabetswe Parkies, a Senior Officer in Marketing within the Faculty of Economics Management Sciences and Crespen Ndlovu, PhD Research Fellow in the Higher Education and Human Development Research Group (HEHD). They were among 30 PhD students selected across several African and European countries to attend the school on the institution’s campus. 

‘’The winter school was indeed a beacon of holistic learning, where the promotion of sustainable development was seamlessly woven into the fabric of academic exploration. It provided a platform to engage with sustainable development's complex challenges and explore innovative, actionable, and impactful research pathways,’’ said Parkies. 

The purpose of the winter school

The primary goal of the winter school was to convene PhD students specialising in innovation and entrepreneurship to foster research insights conducive to sustainable development. It served as a forum for interdisciplinary dialogue, enabling participants to exchange ideas aimed at advancing this common objective. Ndlovu noted the significance of considering both global and local perspectives on sustainability challenges, emphasising the crucial role of ethical considerations, equity, and inclusivity in propelling sustainability initiatives forward. 

Insights and experiences

In addition to collaborative discussions, the winter school facilitated activities such as the sharing and deliberation of individual research projects. A highlight for Ndlovu was the opportunity to engage with influential scholars like Prof Sophie Bacq from the International Institute for Management Development, who continues to inspire his work on social entrepreneurship and human development.

Parkies and Ndlovu both affirmed that the experience not only contributed to their personal growth but also provided valuable insights into their respective research projects. Ndlovu stressed the importance of ensuring research relevance across various scales to contribute effectively to broader sustainability goals while addressing localised needs. Parkies echoed this sentiment, underscoring the significance of impactful research in bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. 

News Archive

UFS first to mechanise agricultural technique
2006-05-09

    

Small farmers from Thaba `Nchu were the biggest group attending the farmers day at the UFS Paradys experimental farm.  From the left are Mr David Motlhale (a small farmer from Thaba 'Nchu), Prof Leon van Rensburg (lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader), Mr Nhlonipho Nhlabatsi (Agricultural Research Council, Glen), Ms Meisie Mthethwa (small farmer from Bloemspruit).  In front is Mr Patrick Molatodi (chairperson of the Tswelopele Small Farmer Association).
 

 

Some of the participants of the farmers day at the UFS Paradys experimental farm were from the left Prof Leon van Rensburg (lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader, Mr Patrick Molatodi (chairperson of the Tswelopele Small Farmers Association) and Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences).

UFS first tertiary institution in world to mechanise agricultural technique
The University of the Free State (UFS) is the first tertiary institution in the world to mechanise the in-field rain water harvesting technique on a commercial scale.

The technique was recently demonstrated to about 100 small farmers at the UFS Paradys experimental farm outside Bloemfontein. 

“With this technique rain water is channeled to the plant and in this way food security is increased.  The advantage of the technique for commercial farmers lies in the reduced cultivation of land.  Small farmers will benefit from this because they can now move out into the fields and away from farming in their back yards,” says Prof Leon van Rensburg, lecturer at the UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences and project leader.    

Rain water harvesting is an antique concept that was used by communities before the birth of Christ.  In South Africa the technique is mainly used in the plots of small farmers where they make surface structures by hand. 

"The technique is also used for the first time by the UFS on commercial scale by means of the cultivation of a summer crop on 100 ha at the Paradys experimental farm,” says Prof Leon van Rensburg,

Of the farmers who attended the farmers day most represented about 42 rural communities in the vicinity of Thaba ‘Nchu.  A group of seven from KwaZulu-Natal also attended the proceedings.  These small farmers can for example apply this technique successfully on the 250-300 ha communal land that is available in the Thaba ‘Nchu area. 

The project is funded by the UFS and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the farmers’ day was funded by the Water Research Commission.   

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel:   (051) 401-2584
Cell:  083 645 2454
E-mail:  loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
9 May 2006

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