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Kay-Leigh van Rooyen: UFS research assistant embraces global citizenship through Abe Bailey Travel Bursary

15 April 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Supplied

As one of only sixteen recipients of the prestigious 2024 Abe Bailey Travel Bursary, Kay-Leigh van Rooyen, Research Assistant at the University of the Free State (UFS), recently returned from a life-changing journey across the United Kingdom. Representing the UFS on this esteemed programme, van Rooyen joined a cohort of emerging South African leaders in a transformative cultural and academic exchange.

Reflecting on the experience, she described it as “nothing short of amazing.”

“The experience was so much more than just visiting new places,” she said. “It was about engaging in meaningful conversations, forming lasting relationships, and gaining fresh perspectives on global issues.”

The Abe Bailey Travel Bursary aims to empower young South Africans through leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, and exposure to international dialogue. According to van Rooyen, this initiative was a powerful platform for personal growth, enabling her to see the world – and South Africa - through new lens.

“I learned the power of perspective - how others view our country, and how to understand global challenges from diverse vantage points,” she said. “I also realised that leadership is not about titles, but about influence and empathy.”

A journey through the UK

The bursary cohort convened in Cape Town on 23 November 2023 before departing for the UK, where they travelled from London to Edinburgh and back. The programme officially concluded on 18 December 2024/3.

During the tour, the group visited iconic institutions such as the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the British Library, the Francis Crick Institute, and the Houses of Parliament. For van Rooyen, the highlight was the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and changemakers.

“One of the most memorable moments was having lunch in a chamber of the House of Lords at the Palace of Westminster with Lord Karan Bilimoria, the founder and chairman of Cobra Beer. The conversation was insightful and inspiring,” she said.

A global stage for the UFS

Van Rooyen emphasised the professional impact of the experience, noting how it shaped her perspective on the role of academia in society.

“This experience has changed the way I approach my work. I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of bridging the gap between academia and industry - especially how we can make research more practical and impactful,” she explained.

She also highlighted the broader benefit for the UFS community.

“Global engagements like these position the UFS as part of the international conversation. Our students and staff have valuable insights to share, and we can learn so much from other institutions.”

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation at the UFS and Chair of the university’s Abe Bailey Travel Bursary selection committee, echoed these sentiments.

“The Travel Bursary so elegantly aligns with the vision and heart of the UFS - namely, to expose our students to a wider world and its global connections,” he said.

Inspiring the next generation of UFS leaders

Encouraging fellow UFS staff and students to apply for the bursary, van Rooyen emphasised the personal and professional rewards.

“It challenges you to think critically, engage meaningfully, and build relationships with people you wouldn’t ordinarily meet,” she said.

Prof Reddy praised van Rooyen for her achievements and representation of the UFS on a global stage.

“Her experiences and insights demonstrate that she is an exceptional ambassador – not only as an Abe Bailey alumnus, but also as a symbol of the excellence the UFS strives for. We are extremely proud of Kay-Leigh and wish her well as we look forward to the great things that lie ahead for her.”

News Archive

New challenges for animal science discussed

2006-04-04

Some of the guests attending the congress were from the left Dr Heinz Meissner (honorary president of the South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) and senior manager at the Animal Production Institute of the Agricultural Research Council), Mr Paul Bevan (President of SASAS) and Prof Magda Fourie (Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS).
Photo: Lacea Loader

New challenges for animal science discussed

The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) is presenting its 41st Congress at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Main Campus in Bloemfontein.

The congress started yesterday and will run until Thursday 6 April 2006. The theme is New challenges for the animal science industries.

It is one of the largest congresses in the 45 years since SASAS was founded in 1961. Among the delegates 12 African countries are represented, with the biggest delegation from Kenya. Delegates are also from the United States of America, Iran, Turkey, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal and African countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.

“Many of our members play an important role in the training of animal scientists at universities. The congress is specifically industry orientated so that scientists can interact with farmers through the respective producer organisations,” said Prof HO de Waal, Chairperson of the organising committee and lecturer at the UFS Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences.

According to Dr Heinz Meissner, honorary president of SASAS and a senior manager at the Animal Production Institute of the Agricultural Research Council, the National Livestock Strategy (NLS) Plan clarifies the role and responsibility of the livestock sector.

“Through this strategy we need to focus on enhancing equitable access and participation in livestock agriculture, improve global competitiveness and profitability of the livestock sector and ensure that the ventures implemented do not over utilise our resources,” said Dr Meissner.

In her welcoming address, Prof Magda Fourie, Vice-Rector: Academic Planning at the UFS highlighted the related challenges that the UFS will be focusing on specifically over the next five years. “We have identified five strategic clusters that represent broad areas of excellence in research and post-graduate education. Two of these are food production, quality and safety for Africa and sustainable development,” she said.

“The food safety and security cluster will focus on the production of food in all its varieties within the African context, encompassing the entire value chain – from production to consumption and nutrition related issues. This would include a strong emphasis on sustainable production systems,” she said.

According to Prof Fourie the rural development cluster will engage in questions around the role of higher education in sustainable development. “One of the focus areas in this strategic cluster pertains to sustainable livelihoods. It refers to a way of approaching development that incorporates all aspects of human livelihoods and means by which people obtain them,” she said.

Prof Fourie said that the challenges we are facing such as food production can only be effectively addressed through collaborative efforts. “That is why it is important that collaboration takes place between different scientific disciplines, researchers, institutions and countries who are confronted with similar difficulties,” she said.

According to Prof de Waal the congress will give key role players a unique opportunity to present a profile of what they perceive an animal scientist should be and state their specific requirement regarding the animal sciences and its applications.

“In this way we can determine what the industry’s needs are and we can re-align our curriculum to suit these needs,” said Prof de Waal.

During the next two days, various areas of interest will be discussed. This includes ruminant and monogastric nutrition, animal physiology, beef, dairy, sheep and ostrich breeding and sustainable farming covering the range from commercial to the small-scale farming level.

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

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