Latest News Archive
Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
14 June 2024
|
Story Anthony Mthembu
|
Photo Suplied
Jeremiah Hlahla, a UFS student completing his PhD in Botany at the University of Debrecen as part of an exchange initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme.
As part of an exchange initiative facilitated by the Erasmus+ Mobility Programme, Jeremiah Hlahla, a student at the University of the Free State (UFS), is nearing the completion of his PhD studies at the University of Debrecen in Hungary. Hlahla’s journey, which began in February 2024 and is set to conclude in July 2024, has been a remarkable learning opportunity. “As a first time-traveller to Europe, I have thoroughly enjoyed engaging with people from different countries and cultures,” he said.
The benefits of international collaboration
Hlahla is currently pursuing a PhD in Botany, focusing on plant stress physiology. “My current PhD project investigates the physiological, biochemical and morphological responses of vegetable-type soybean, or edamame, to combined drought and heat stress,’’ he explained. He considers the University of Debrecen the ideal institution to complete his research due to its extensive expertise and resources in similar projects. He noted that his colleagues at Debrecen conduct significant work on plant protection against biotic and abiotic stresses, including salt and drought stress, as well as proteins and amino acids in barley and other legumes.
Given the vast knowledge available on similar projects, Hlahla has found substantial engagement with his work at the University of Debrecen. “Upon arrival, I delivered an introductory lecture presenting my UFS project on the synergistic effects of combined drought and heat stress on the physiology and biochemistry of edamame. It was an engaging session as everyone could relate to my work and asked many questions,’’ he said.
Insights gained from the exchange
Hlahla has also gained valuable lessons that will assist him in his research career, including biotechnology and physiology tools. “I learned how to prepare samples and use high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) to quantify proteins and amino acids,’’ he said. These techniques are beneficial not only for his current work but will also support future soybean research.
As his experience at the University of Debrecen nears its end, Hlahla reflects on the collaborations and friendships he has formed, which stand out as a significant highlight.
Inaugural lecture focuses on the Apostle Paul’s recognition of the divinity of Christ
2005-02-16
Prof Pieter Verster from the Department of Missiology at the University of
the Free State (UFS) will deliver his inaugural lecture on Wednesday 23 February
2005 at 19:00 in the CR Swart Auditorium on campus.
The topic of the lecture is Die begronding van die sending by Paulus in die lig
van sy erkenning van die godheid van Christus.
Pieter Verster started his theological training in 1973 at the UFS and continued
it at the University of Pretoria (UP). He obtained the degrees BA (cl) from the
UFS in 1976; BA Hons (Greek cl) from the UP in 1979; MA (Greek) from the UFS in
2000;
a BD (cl) from the UP in 1979; a Post-graduate Diploma in Theology (cl) from the
UP in 1980; a DD (Missiology and Religion Studies) from the UP in 1985 and a DD
(Dogmatics and Ethics) from the UP in 1989.
He was honoured for academic excellence (UFS 1975), overall excellence (UP 1979)
and research excellence (UFS 2004). He has visited various overseas universities
and institutions in the Netherlands , Switzerland , Germany and the USA ,.
Prof Verster has also published various articles in academic journals and his
books include Wie het die waarheid beet? for which he received the CUM/RSG
writers’ competition prize in 1996. He has also published short stories in
Tydskrif vir Letterkunde and Dolos and poems in inter alia Literator and Litnet.
Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
16 February 2005