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14 June 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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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.
Learning Afrikaans for foreign-language speakers
2009-02-17
Learning Afrikaans for foreign-language speakers |
Staff Development of CHESD and the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French, offers the following professional enrichment programme:
Learning Afrikaans for foreign-language speakers
The course start on Tuesday, 17 February 2009 (introductory meeting) at 17:00 in the Benito Khotseng Building, E-Learning Laboratory, room 107B. The contact time is two hours per week for ten weeks. Ms Ida Meiring, Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French will present the course. Contact her at x2816. The closing date is Wednesday, 16 February 2009.
Please confirm your attendance with Ms Clidean Swiegelaar at swiegcc@ufs.ac.za. For any enquiries regarding the course you can contact Prof. Angelique van Niekerk, Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French at vnieka@ufs.ac.za or x2339/2816.
More information about the course is available at:
Would you like to learn to speak Afrikaans? Every semester the Department of Afrikaans and Dutch, German and French offers a very basic as well as a little more advanced CD-ROM course for foreign-language speakers who have little or no prior knowledge of Afrikaans. The duration of the course is ten weeks and classes usually take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Successful participants will receive a certificate. Use is made of Afrikaans language jokes and Afrikaans music in the course, which promotes self-activity. Contact Mrs I Meiring at meiringi@ufs.ac.za for enquiries.
The course and CD are offered free of charge to staff members who enrol, whilst persons who are not employed by the university pay R800 per course.
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