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Pioneering solutions through the Green Futures Hub

16 January 2025 | Story Dr Cindé Greyling | Photo Supplied

Our earth is very resilient, and a green future is possible, but we must make changes. At the forefront of this mission is the Green Futures Hub, spearheaded by Prof Wayne Truter at the UFS. Prof Truter holds a PhD in Integrated Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, with more than 25 years of experience. He is a leader in the field of forage, pasture, and land regeneration – particularly those impacted by mining.

The Green Futures Hub is a virtual platform that bridges academic research and industry gaps, aiming to solve real-world challenges with scientific insights. It is designed to showcase and integrate the research happening across various disciplines at the University of the Free State (UFS), making it accessible to industry and communities alike. “People often lose faith in academic institutions, thinking that the research done there has no practical value,” Prof Truter notes. “The Green Futures Hub aims to change that by making scientific findings accessible and relevant to daily life.”

This platform offers a unique opportunity for industries to connect with researchers working on solutions related to climate change, sustainable agriculture, or environmental rehabilitation. “Our hub is a space where industries can come to us with their challenges, and we can offer solutions based on research,” Prof Truter explains. “It’s about creating real impact.”

Collaboration and integration are central to the Green Futures Hub’s approach. “Through interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to environmental stewardship, we want to develop solutions to the complex development challenges related to ecosystems, agroecosystems, water resources, biodiversity, infrastructure, and communities,” says Prof Truter.

One of the hub’s projects that is close to Prof Truter’s heart, is the future coexistence of mining and agriculture. Mining and agriculture are two important industries in South Africa, often competing for land. However, the hub seeks to bridge this gap by exploring how these industries can coexist sustainably.

“The future coexistence of mining and agriculture is critical,” says Prof Truter. “While mining often uses the land intensively, they have the responsibility and capability to rehabilitate it for agricultural use, ensuring that it is as productive – if not more – than it was before. Farmers and miners have much to gain from each other,” he explains. “By partnering with industries, we can help rehabilitate the land that has been mined, and in turn, farmers can harness and bring back the productivity to that land with the financial inputs of mining companies.”

Prof Truter also emphasises the importance of science communication. “We need to do better at communicating the value of the research we’re doing. Many times, industries don’t understand the significance of what we’re working on because it’s not explained in a way that resonates with them. The hub ensures that research findings are accessible, understandable, and applicable to real-world issues.”

The Green Futures Hub is more than just a research platform; it is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry. “We’re not just conducting research,” Prof Truter concludes, “we’re developing solutions.”

News Archive

“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”

2015-07-23

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

Details of the event:

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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