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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.
UFS students part of winning team in international competition
2006-06-12
The South African team, consisting of students from the Universities of the Free State (UFS), Stellenbosch and Pretoria won a student competition during a conference of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association (IAMA) that was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Six student teams from across the world took part in the competition. The teams had to develop a business strategy for an Italian company that is threatened by the dreaded bird flu epidemic. Two heats were held and the South African team walked away with the laurels.

The South African team that won the competition were, from the left: Prof André Jooste (Departmental Chairperson: Department of Agricultural Economics at the UFS), Prof Kobus Laubscher (team advisor and lecturer at the UFS Department of Agricultural Economics), Bonani Nyhodo (student at the University of Stellenbosch), Dr Dirk Esterhuizen (Manager: Agricultural Information of the Agricultural Chamber of Business and student at the University of Pretoria), Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS), Olubukola Oyewumi (UFS student), Hilton Madevu (student at the University of Pretoria) and Lindie Botha (UFS student).