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.
Translation Day Seminar at UFS
2007-09-21
The Programme in Language Practice at the University of the Free State (UFS) cordially invites all stakeholders in language practice to a translation day seminar:
Subverting the west: Engaging language practice as African interpretation
Date: Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Venue: C.R. Swart Auditorium
Cost: R50
Apart from papers read by Prof. Jacobus Naudé (UFS), Dr Kobus Marais (UFS), Prof. Joan Conolly from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Ms Lolie Makhubu (DUT), a full session will be devoted to a panel discussion involving the audience.
Against the background of the cabinet's proposal for language services for all government departments, the seminar day seeks to put up for discussion the African context in which language practice takes place. It will also be exploring an approach to translator education that is engaged in its African context by means of service learning.
The following four focus areas will receive attention:
- engaging translator education by means of a socio-constructivist approach;
- challenging the dominance of Western concepts in translator training and practice;
- exploring African indigenous oral knowledge as an interface for language practice;
- questioning code-switching in African interpreting settings.
Closing date for registrations is 1 October 2007.
For enquiries, registration forms, and programme details, contact Mr Kobus Marais on 051 401 2798.