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UFS-NGS UNIT engages high school learners in pioneering step toward a genomic education

06 May 2025 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied

Prof Nyaga — Prof Martin Nyaga at the UFS-NGS Unit sequencing room giving a talk on the Illumina NextSeq 2000 with the P3 flow cell in hand.

The University of the Free State – Next Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit hosted a pioneering scholarly engagement initiative for Grade 11 learners from nine secondary schools in Bloemfontein. The three-day event with the theme "Frontiers of Discovery: Illuminating the Impact of Genomics in Science outreach programme” marked the first comprehensive genomics science outreach initiative in the Faculty Health Sciences.

Coordinated by Prof Martin Nyaga, Head of the UFS-NGS Unit, the programme bridged the longstanding gap through practical NGS exposure and ignited a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by inspiring the next generation of genomic innovators using combined interactive lectures, laboratory demonstrations, career talks, and hands-on workshops. This allowed learners to directly engage with cutting-edge scientific techniques and genomic technologies, especially the scientific and evolutionally impact of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and NGS.

The initiative engaged selected Grade 11 learners from the nine schools: Brebner, Ikaelelo and Vulamasango (day 1), Atlehang, Castle Bridge School and Kaelang (day 2) and Eunice, Navalsig, and Lekhulong (day 3).

“This outreach programme marks a significant milestone in community-based genomics education in South Africa by offering high school learners the opportunity to engage with modern genomic sciences before making career decisions. The initiative particularly aimed to nurture future scientists and diversify the country’s STEM talent pipeline.

“This historic programme bridged gaps in scientific literacy and diversity in the Free State and concluded each day with a genomics quiz competition, which tested the participant’s newly acquired knowledge/exposure and provided a fun competitive learning opportunity. Six quiz winners across the three days received special prizes, and all students were awarded certificates of participation,” says Prof Nyaga.

Hands-on exploration and NHLS virology laboratory tour

The training was held at the UFS-NGS Unit in the School of Biomedical Sciences and at the NHLS Virology laboratories, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences. Each attending secondary school was represented by five Grade 11 learners and a life science’s educator. Each day, 15 learners and three educators observed hands-on practicals, including DNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, and DNA library preparation for sequencing on platforms such as Illumina MiSeq and NextSeq 2000.

Guided by the UFS-NGS Unit’s team members; Dr Milton Mogotsi, Hlengiwe Sondlane, Mbali Ncube, Nkosazana Shange, Somila Nazo, Sesiyanda Maseko, Surprise Baloyi, Manyi Eyong and Mamello Maku, the learners were exposed to how DNA is extracted and visualised, how the PCR machine works and how DNA libraries are prepared and sequenced.

Furthermore, a guided laboratory tour of the Virology laboratories at the NHLS was provided by Khauhelo Mafa which offered the leaners the opportunity to observe, diagnostic and molecular workflows in action, resulting in a real-time glimpse into world-class medical research and diagnostics, fuelling curiosity about the role of advanced genomics science in disease control.

Inspiration through expert talks

The learners were also inspired by talks from Prof Chris Viljoen, Head of the School of Biomedical Sciences, Prof Zinhle Makatini, Associate Professor and Head of Division of Virology, School of Pathology, and Dr Claudia Ntsapi, Senior Lecturer and researcher in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the UFS. Prof Viljoen highlighted the role of science in transforming lives and improving life expectancy, while Prof Makatini gave candid reflections on her professional journey, particularly how she pursued Medical Virology through unwavering determination and excelled to become among the pioneer women specialists in the field in South Africa. Dr Ntsapi inspired the audience with her perseverance from her humble beginnings to earning a PhD in Neurophysiological Sciences against all odds.

The speakers also delivered compelling presentations on the applications of genomics in medicine (e.g.), personalised cancer treatments), public health (e.g.), tracking HIV and COVID-19), agriculture (e.g.), resilient crops), and environmental science (e.g.), ecosystem protection), which resonated well with the learners, educators and the UFS-NGS team. A presentation on diverse career options available at the UFS Faculty of Health Sciences was further provided by Angelique Carson-Porter, a UFS representative from the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics. Her talk on different career pathways in Health Sciences broaden the learners’ horizons, fostering future aspirations.

Dr Emmanuel Ogunbayo, Dr Mogotsi, Thabisa Mpaxa, Nkosazana Shange and Eyong Manyi shared their personal career journey to be at the UFS-NGS Unit, offering advice on academic experiences and opportunities within genomics, bioinformatics, and biotechnology, while answering scholarship queries.

“The career talk opened my eyes. I’m now aiming for a biotechnology degree!” said Neliswa Thwala, a learner from Navalsig CS/S.

Following the enthusiastic response and tangible outcomes of this programme, the UFS-NGS Unit is committed to expanding this initiative, with plans to introduce similar events to other schools and developing sustained mentorship opportunities for learners interested in pursuing genomics-related careers. The UFS-NGS Unit further invites interested partners, sponsors, and stakeholders to collaborate in future outreach and capacity-building programmes to continue bridging the genomics education gap in Africa.

Inspire the next generation

Prof. Nyaga’s closing remarks highlighted the learners’ potential to shape the ‘omics’ workforce and stated the intention of the organising committee to expand the mentorship programmes, fostering a vibrant STEM pipeline. “This initiative represents our vision to make genomics accessible and inspire the next generation of African scientists.”

The success of this programme was driven by the UFS-NGS Unit team and was supported by Distribution Platform in Omics (DIPLOMICS).

For more information about the UFS-NGS Unit or future outreach programmes, please visit our website. Further pictures from the event are also available via our website.

News Archive

The state of HIV/AIDS at the UFS

2010-05-11

“The University of the Free State (UFS) remains concerned about the threat of HIV/AIDS and will not become complacent in its efforts to combat HIV/AIDS by preventing new infections”, states Ms Estelle Heideman, Manager of the Kovsies HIV/AIDS Centre at the UFS.

She was responding to the results of a study that was done at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 2008. The survey was initiated by Higher Education AIDS (HEAIDS) to establish the knowledge, attitudes, behaviours and practices (KABP) related to HIV and AIDS and to measure the HIV prevalence levels among staff and students. The primary aim of this research was to develop estimates for the sector.

The study populations consisted of students and employees from 21 HEIs in South Africa where contact teaching occurs. For the purpose of the cross-sectional study an ‘anonymous HIV survey with informed consent’ was used. The study comprised an HIV prevalence study, KABP survey, a qualitative study, and a risk assessment.

Each HEI was stratified by campus and faculty, whereupon clusters of students and staff were randomly selected. Self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain demographic, socio-economic and behavioural data. The HIV status of participants was determined by laboratory testing of dry blood spots obtained by finger pricks. The qualitative study consisted of focus group discussions and key informant interviews at each HEI.

Ethical approval was provided by the UFS Ethics Committee. Participation in all research was voluntary and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Fieldwork for the study was conducted between September 2008 and February 2009.

A total of 1 004 people participated at the UFS, including the Main and the Qwaqwa campuses, comprising 659 students, 85 academic staff and 256 administration/service staff. The overall response rate was 75,6%.

The main findings of the study were:

HIV prevalence among students was 3,5%, 0% among academics, 1,3% among administrative staff, and 12,4% among service staff. “This might not be a true reflection of the actual prevalence of HIV at the UFS, as the sample was relatively small,” said Heideman. However, she went on to say that if we really want to show our commitment towards fighting this disease at our institution a number of problem areas should be addressed:

Around half of all students under the age of 20 have had sex before and this increased to almost three-quarters of students older than 20.
The majority of staff and a third of students had ever been tested for HIV.
More than 50% of students drink more than once per week and 44% of students reported being drunk in the past month. Qualitative data suggests that binge drinking over weekends and at campus ‘bashes’ is an area of concern.

Recommendations of the study:

Emphasis should be on increased knowledge of sexual risk behaviours, in particular those involving a high turnover of sexual partners and multiple sexual partnerships. Among students, emphasis should further be placed on staying HIV negative throughout university study.
The distribution of condoms on all campuses should be expanded, systematised and monitored. If resistance is encountered, attempts should be made to engage and educate dissenting institutional members about the importance of condom use in HIV prevention.
The relationship between alcohol misuse and pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and AIDS needs to be made known, and there should be a drive to curb high levels of student drinking, promote non-alcohol oriented forms of recreation, and improve regulation of alcohol consumption at university-sponsored “bashes”.
There is need to reach out to students and staff who have undergone HIV testing and who know their HIV status, but do not access or benefit from support services. Because many HIV-positive students and staff are not receiving any kind of support, resources should be directed towards the development of HIV care services, including support groups.

Says Heideman, “If we really want to prove that we are serious about an HIV/AIDS-free campus, these results are a good starting point. It definitely provides us with a strong basis from which to work.” Since the study was done in 2008 the UFS has committed itself to a more comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS. The current proposed ‘HIV/AIDS Institutional response and strategic plan’, builds and expands on work that has been done before, the lessons learned from previous interventions, and a thorough study of good practices at other universities.

Media Release
Issued by: Mangaliso Radebe
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2828
Cell: 078 460 3320
E-mail: radebemt@ufs.ac.za
10 May 2010

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