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UFS researcher Zandile Mncube reaches new heights at International Mountain Conference in Austria

10 November 2025 | Story Precious Shamase | Photo Supplied

In a remarkable milestone for both her academic and personal journey, Dr Zandile Mncube, a 27-year-old newly conferred PhD graduate from the University of the Free State (UFS), recently presented her research at the prestigious International Mountain Conference (IMC2025), hosted by the University of Innsbruck, Austria. The event marked not only her debut on the global research stage but also her first international trip and first flight – an experience she described as transformative.

A mountain of research: From UFS weather stations to the global stage

Dr Mncube's journey to this international platform began with encouragement from Prof Ralph Clark, Director of the Afromontane Research Unit, and Dr Melissa Hansen, Lecturer in the Department of Geography, who recognised her potential and urged her to submit an abstract to the conference.

"Prof Clark proposed that I write an abstract for this conference," Dr Mncube explained. “I had been managing the UFS weather stations and had just begun using their data, so I based my abstract on that work.”

Her submission was accepted, earning her the opportunity to showcase her research alongside an impressive array of global scholars. The IMC2025, held biennially, brings together experts from across the world to discuss diverse aspects of mountain studies. Dr Mncube formed part of a strong South African delegation that included two students from UFS and one from the University of Cape Town (UCT).

"It was inspiring to see how diverse and multidisciplinary the field is," she said. "It was good to see that, as South Africans, we do fit into the global research stage and can hold our own through the quality of our work.”

Vision for the future: expanding research horizons

Having been part of the UFS community since 2017 - serving in various roles from student assistant to her current practical and research position – Dr Mncube is now looking ahead to further her research career.

"I want to explore more on the research side of things," she shared. “While I’ve gained valuable experience that could lead to lecturing, my immediate goal is to deepen my involvement in research and fieldwork within Geography.”

A transformative experience and a call for greater support

Describing her participation at the IMC as a "transformative experience, both professionally and personally," Dr Mncube reflected on how it broadened her understanding of global scientific collaboration and highlighted the vital contribution of African researchers.

She noted there remain "notable gaps in data and contextual understanding that African researchers are uniquely positioned to address," particularly in underrepresented mountain regions.

Dr Mncube strongly advocates for more South African students to be supported in attending international conferences. She observed that several of her peers at the IMC had earned recognition through the Southern African Mountain Conference 2025 (SAMC), further illustrating the value of regional and international engagement.

"If more students are supported to attend conferences like IMC, it could open doors for them to engage in global research and collaborations that extend far beyond our borders," she said.

Expressing her heartfelt appreciation, she concluded by thanking Prof Clark and Dr Hansen for their guidance and support, which made her international debut possible.

News Archive

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

2006-03-24

During the recent visit of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS) to the University of the Free State (UFS) were from the left Mr Egon Wortmann (Director: ASAQS), Prof Basie Verster (representative of the Free State on the ASAQS and head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS), Mr Greyling Venter (Chairperson: Free State branch of the ASAQS), Prof DG Brümmer(Vice-President: ASAQS) and Mr Patrick Waterson (President: ASAQS).
Photo supplied

Shortage of quantity surveyors discussed at UFS

“The South African building industry is experiencing an unprecedented high level of economic growth and prosperity. This is causing a definite shortage of registered quantity surveyors,” said Mr Egon Wortmann, Director of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors(ASAQS) during the association’s recent visit to the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the University of the Free State (UFS).

“This shortage is especially noticeable in local and national governments where unqualified and inexperienced staff, consultants and/or facilitators are now appointed,” said Mr Wortmann.

In doing so, the authorities that have adopted this approach are according to Mr Wortmann actually acting illegally and are not in compliance with the legal and statutory requirements of South Africa. “These unprofessional practices are unproductive, it leads to frustration and is strongly condemned by the ASAQS,” he said.

“The service delivery of these unqualified and unregistered service providers is often sub standard and does not comply to the legal requirements of the profession. It may also result in the tarnishing of the image and high professional standards set by the quantity surveying profession,” said Mr Wortmann.

“Universities offering programmes in quantity-surveying and construction management are also negatively affected by the high levels of activity in the building environment. Suitable lecturing staff are leaving the academic institutions as they are attracted to better opportunities being offered in the building industry. The ability of the tertiary institutions to attract young academics, to train them and to keep them in the longer term, is therefore almost impossible”, said Prof Basie Verster, head of the Department of Quantity Surveying and Construction Management at the UFS and representative of the Free State on the ASAQS.

According to Prof Verster the UFS supplies more than its quota of qualified quantity surveyors to the South African building industry. “Although more than 460 students are registered in construction related programmes at the UFS, we are as the ASAQS’s concerned about the shortage of students that can enter the construction industry. In our case, we are experiencing a shortage in black female students,” he said.

“Of the 460 postgraduate students, 38% are black of which 20% are female students. Graduates do also not necessarily stay in the country. As the UFS’s programmes are accredited overseas, a lot of our students leave the country for working opportunities elsewhere,” said Prof Verster.

Mr Patrick Waterson, President of the ASAQS, appealed to quantity surveyors to, when they are approached, consider academic careers or to make themselves available to lecture on a part time basis. “I also appeal to quantity-surveying practices, construction companies and developers to consider taking part in training activities,” he said.

The ASAQS has over the years developed a proud tradition within the quantity-surveying profession. Consequently membership of this organisation is a sought after goal for many members within the building environment. International agreements with various countries are also in place whereby it is mutually agreed that local as well as overseas qualifications are mutually acceptable on a reciprocal basis.

A more recent addition to the list of agreements is the reciprocity agreement entered into with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors which makes it possible for South African based quantity surveyors to practice in over 120 countries worldwide.

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

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