Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium 2019

Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium 2019 17 October 2019 Westville Campus INSPIRING GREATNESS The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science would like to express its grateful thanks to the following external partners of the College Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium 2019: College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science would like to express its grateful thanks to the following internal partners of the 2019 College Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium: Astrophysics and Cosmology Research Unit (ACRU) Astrophysics Research Centre (ARC) Bioprocessing Research Group (BRG) Catalysis Research Group Centre for Research in Environmental, Coastal and Hydrological Engineering (CRECHE): eThekwini Municipality Chair in Urban Infrastructure Centre for Water Resources Research (CWRR) EPPEI Specialization Centre on HVDC and FACTS National Astrophysics and Space Science Programme (NASSP) Pollution Research Group (PRG) Quantum Research Group SARChI Chair: Evolutionary Biology SARChI Chair: Gravitating Systems SARChI Chair: Indigenous Knowledge Systems SARChI Chair: Land Use Planning and Management SARChI Chair: Proteolysis in Homeostasis, Health and Disease SARChI Chair: Quantum Information Processing and Communication SARChI Chair: Waste and Climate Change SMRI SARChI Chair: Sugarcane Biorefining Thermodynamics Research Unit (TRU) UKZN Information and Communication Services Division UKZN InQubate UKZN Research Office UKZN School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences UKZN School of Chemistry and Physics UKZN School of Engineering UKZN School of Life Sciences UKZN School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Umgeni Water Chair in Water Resources Management

Professor Peter Ajibade Professor Genene Mola Professor Akshay Saha Professor Chris Buckley Dr Brenda Moodley Professor Hussein Shimelis Professor Naven Chetty Professor Kavilan Moodley Dr Mzamo Shozi Professor Theresa Coetzer Dr Mathew Moodley Professor Precious Sibanda Professor David Dorrell Dr Roshila Moodley Professor Rob Slotow Professor Holger Friedrich Professor Onisimo Mutanga Professor Viranjay Srivastava Professor Kesh Govinder Professor Henry Mwambi Professor Anne Stark Professor Evriste Gueguim Kana Professor Prathieka Naidoo Professor Derek Stretch Professor Freddie Inambao Professor Proscovia Namayanja Dr Andrew Swanson Professor Shahidul Islam Professor Delia North Professor Jules-Raymond Tapamo Professor Steve Johnson Professor Vincent Nyamori Professor Cristina Trois Professor Sreekantha Jonnalagadda Professor Ademola Olaniran Professor Fanie van Heerden Professor Neil Koorbanally Professor Bermard Owaga Professor Werner van Zyl Dr David Lokhat Professor Francesco Petruccione Professor Sivakumar Venkataraman Dr Aneshkumar Maharaj Professor Deresh Ramjugernath Professor Serestina Viriri Professor Sunil Maharaj Professor Shaun Ramroop Professor Hongjun Xu Dr Abdul Mohamed

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science would like to express its grateful thanks to the following exhibitors at the 2019 College Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium:

2CANA AEC AMERSHAM SOC LTD AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (ADA) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (ARC) ANATECH SOLUTIONS ELSEVIER ENTELECT SOFTWARE ESKOM INNOVATE DURBAN INQABA BIOTECHNICAL INDUSTRIES KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (KZNDARD) LECOAFRICA MERCK MINTEK MONITORING AND CONTROL LABORATORIES NATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS AND SPACE SCIENCE PROGRAMME (NASSP) PERKINELMER SOUTH AFRICA RCL FOODS RS-COMPONENTS SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ACCREDITATION SYSTEM (SANAS) SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ENERGY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (SANEDI) SOUTH AFRICAN PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRIES (SAPPI) SARTORIUS SOUTH AFRICA (PTY) LTD SEPARATIONS SHIMADZU TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AGENCY (TIA) THERMOFISHER TRILAB SUPPORT UNITED SCIENTIFIC SOUTH AFRICA WESTFALIA FRUITS WHITEHEAD SCIENTIFIC

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science would like to express its grateful thanks to the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science, who in conjunction with the College Public Relations Office coordinated the 2019 Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium. The 2019 Committee consisted of the following staff:

Professor Henry Mwambi (Chair) Professor Fortuné Massamba Professor Subharthi Ray Moira Bolton Bheki Mthembu Professor Precious Sibanda Christine Cuenod Samantha Ngcongo Dr Brett van Niekerk Dr Jean Dombeu Anban Pillay Professor Serestina Viriri Dr Sally Frost Asok Rajh Professor Temesgen Zewotir Sashlin Girraj Leena Rajpal Nombuso Zondo Edgar Jembere Professor Shaun Ramroop ______

The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science would like to express its grateful thanks to the following judges of the 2019 Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium:

Professor Henry Mwambi (Chair)

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURAL, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Dr Vimbayo Chimonyo Dr Saumitra Misra Dr Alastair Clulow (Chair) Dr Simphiwe Mngomezulu-Dube Professor Seifu Kebede Gurmessa Mr Denver Naidoo Dr Warwick Hastie Dr Ngetar Njoya Dr Sithabile Hlahla Dr Erwin Sieben Dr Alex Kondakwenda Dr Sheldon Strydom Dr Cecilia Masemola Dr Samson Tesfay Dr Asanda Mditshwa

SCHOOL OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS

Dr Patricia Govender Dr Roshila Moodley Dr Yaseera Ismail Dr Bongiwe Mshengu Dr Phindile Khoza Dr Karin Pruessner Dr Chantal Koorbanally Dr Mzamo Shozi Professor Neil Koorbanally (Chair) Mr Siphamandla Sithebe Dr Brenda Moodley Professor Fanie van Heerden

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

Dr Mulemwa Akombelwa Professor Viranjay Srivastava Mr Nivaar Brijmohan Professor Anne Stark Dr Nishani Harinarain Professor Derek Stretch Dr Wayne Nelson Professor Jules-Raymond Tapamo Professor Akshay Saha (Chair) Dr Mark Williams-Wynn

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES

Professor Himansu Baijnath Dr Tshoanelo Miya Dr Anna Bastian Mr Gan Moodley Dr Nicola Carrasco Dr Karen Muthusamy Professor E B Gueguim Kana Professor Yougasphree Naidoo Professor Shahidul Islam (Chair) Dr Dalene Vosloo

SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS AND COMPUTER SCIENCE

Dr Kanagaratnam Arunakirinathar Dr Hermane Mambili-Mamboundou Ms Jesca Batidzirai Dr Oluwatosin Mewomo Dr Sheng Bau Dr Rivendra Narain Dr Retius Chifurira Professor Henry Mwambi (Chair) Dr Knowledge Chinhamu Ms Danielle Roberts Mrs Rosanne Els Dr Brett van Niekerk Dr Absalom Ezugwu Professor Serestina Viriri

EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

2 CANA Mr Siphiwe Memela Mr Mohammed Sudar AMAZON.COM Mr Ian de Villiers Mr Lionel Guimaraes Mr Tason Mathew KWAZULU-NATAL DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT Mr Hannes de Villiers Mrs Nomfuzo Mkhize TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AGENCY Dr Lubabalo Mafu Mr Lungani Mthembu Ms Nolwazi Nduli UMGENI WATER Dr Ntsapokazi Deppa

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

MESSAGES OF SUPPORT

Welcome to the ninth College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium (PRIS), hosted this year by the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science in collaboration with the College Public Relations team.

At UKZN, we strive to ensure that the research carried out by our postgraduate students is at the cutting edge of innovation and contributes to the wellbeing of society. In doing so, we are actively seeking collaboration and partnerships with industry and with all relevant role players. This event highlights the world-class research conducted by our postgraduate students and provides them with an opportunity to present their work to peers, academic staff and research partners.

Written and verbal communication is a critical skill required by scientists in order to make their work relevant and accessible. This day provides an opportunity for students to develop and refine their communication skills. The format of this occasion is very similar to what students can expect at national and international conferences, with parallel sessions, poster sessions and a critical, informed audience. Many students have used occasions such as this to hone their presentation skills and have gone on to win awards at international conferences.

I would like to thank and congratulate the large number of postgraduate students who have showed the courage and enthusiasm needed to present their work today. I salute your supervisors who challenge and encourage you and today share in your success. And I am grateful to all the sponsors whose generous contributions have made this day possible.

Professor Nana Poku, Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UKZN

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

The University of KwaZulu-Natal consistently features as one of the Top 500 universities on a number of World University Rankings. Most of the rankings have indicators which are significantly weighted towards research outputs. The College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science has been a significant contributor to the research outputs of UKZN and one could infer that it is one of the reasons for our high placing in the various world rankings. We must celebrate the contributions made by the academics, researchers and students of the College to the research outputs of the University. The Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium provides an opportunity to not just celebrate especially our postgraduate students’ contributions, but also to guide their development into world-class researchers who undertake research that is relevant and has academic impact as well as socio-economic impact. I would like to congratulate the College on its research performance, as well as on the emphasis that it places on research capacity development, as is evidenced by the well-organised and resourced Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium. I wish all participants in the Symposium a very successful event. Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, UKZN

On behalf of UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, I would like to welcome you to the College’s annual Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium (PRIS) – our flagship event where Masters and PhD students showcase their cutting-edge research initiatives through oral and poster presentations. As scientists, every year we learn that the rate of knowledge-generation is faster than before. Big data, informatics and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are upon us. We can only succeed in keeping up and being relevant if we stop working in silos and increase cross-disciplinary research. At UKZN, our postgraduate students are continually pushed to a higher and more complex level of research. We are proud to say that our students meet the challenge. The College Research Symposium is a significant moment for UKZN to highlight the efforts and successes of our students and their supervisors. It is also an occasion that highlights the importance of working hand-in-hand with industry and our external stakeholders to contribute to a body of knowledge that ensures the success of every activity that is informed by our research. UKZN prides itself on being a research-led university, and such success starts at events like this. Every presentation on this day is valuable. We are thankful to all students who took time to share their knowledge with us, and to the external stakeholders who are running alongside us to make what we do a success. Thank you, all, for your contribution. Professor Albert Modi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College and Acting Dean: Research, College of AES, UKZN

College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

PROGRAMME: RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM

Thursday 17 October 2019, T Block, Westville Campus

Theme: Big Data and the 4th Industrial Revolution Big data analytics is the use of advanced analytic techniques against very large, diverse data sets that include structured, semi- structured and unstructured data, from different sources and in different sizes, from terabytes to zettabytes. To deal efficiently with big data one needs hybrid methods from Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science. Approaches that combine Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Statistical approaches are becoming increasingly popular in Artificial Neural Networks, Support Vector Machines, Regression Trees and Random Forests, to mention just a few examples. The main challenge that the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) will bring is for Society to be able to handle big data efficiently in order to harness the full benefit of the technologies that come with it. In fact, the main technologies that are shaping the 4IR include robotics, the Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence and big data. The role of big data in the 4IR is critical. No sector or business will be untouched by the 4th Industrial Revolution, and it is happening at an exponential rate.

08:00 – 08:55 Registration - Guests, Judges and Exhibitors: Downstairs, T Block entrance - Oral and Poster Presenters, General Attendees: Upstairs - Innovation Stream: Outside T4

09:00 OPENING PLENARY (T1) - Professor Neil Koorbanally, School of Chemistry and Physics

09:00 – 09:15 Introduction – Professor Henry Mwambi, School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science

Official Welcome – Professor Deresh Ramjugernath, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research

Role of InQubate – Mrs Suvina Singh, Director, UKZN InQubate

09:15 – 09:45 Keynote Lecture – Professor Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, Executive Manager: NextGen Enterprises & Institutions, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research:

“Big and Small Data in the Era of the 4IR: an Industry Perceptive on how the World is Changing.”

09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 – ORAL PRESENTATION

Time/ T5 T6 T1 T2 T7 venue SAAES SLS SCP SE SMSCS 09:50 – 10:10 SAEES-O-01 SLS-O-01 SCP-O-01 SE-O-01 SMSCS-O-01 Baloyi R Govender A Abbas A Adewolu B Agbaje M 10:10 – 10:30 SAEES-O-02 SLS-O-02 SCP-O-02 SE-O-02 SMSCS-O-02 Christian M Maseko T Adedeji M Chege S Amusa L 10:30 – 10:50 SAEES-O-03 SLS-O-03 SCP-O-03 SE-O-03 SMSCS-O-03 Makebe A Mkhize S Akintemi E Cheruiyot E Ekundayo O 10:50 – 11:10 SAEES-O-04 SLS-O-04 SCP-O-04 SE-O-04 SMSCS-O-04 Martin C Mkhize Z Ibitoye A Govender D Govender P

11:10 – 11:40 Tea

11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 – ORAL PRESENTATION

Time/ T5 T6 T1 T2 T7 venue SAAES SLS SCP SE SMSCS 11:40 – 12:00 SAEES-O-05 SLS-O-05 SCP-O-05 SE-O-05 SMSCS-O-05 Mazhawu E Mkhombo N Jacob R Gwanzura E Grundlingh N 12:00 – 12:20 SAEES-O-06 SLS-O-06 SCP-O-06 SE-O-06 SMSCS-O-06 Mncube C Naicker J Maharaj S Khumalo M Hamed M 12:20 – 12:40 SAEES-O-07 SLS-O-07 SCP-O-07 SE-O-07 SMSCS-O-07 Modiba M Ndlovu I Misra S Kubelwa Y Hansraj C 12:40 – 13:00 SAEES-O-08 SLS-O-08 SCP-O-08 SE-O-08 SMSCS-O-08 Ndlovu P Onyango C Mtshali S Mawejje M Mchunu N

12:00 – 13:00 Early Lunch for Poster Presenters and Poster Judges

13: 00 – 14:00 Lunch

13:00 – 14:00 Poster Viewing, Presenting and Judging

14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 – ORAL PRESENTATION

Time/ T5 T6 T1 T2 T7 venue SAAES SLS SCP SE SMSCS 14:00 – 14:20 SAEES-O-09 SLS-O-09 SCP-O-09 SE-O-09 SMSCS-O-09 Ngceni X Ramkarran L Ngomane N Mgaga S Mebawondu A 14:20 – 14:40 SAEES-O-10 SLS-O-10 SCP-O-10 SE-O-10 SMSCS-O-10 Shude S Shaik Abdool F Ngwenya S Molefe M Oloniiju S 14:40 – 15:00 SAEES-O-11 SLS-O-11 SCP-O-11 SE-O-11 SMSCS-O-11 Ximba S Sibisi S Diko N Ngcobo P Sherif A 15:00 – 15:20 SAEES-O-12 SLS-O-12 SCP-O-12 SE-O-12 SMSCS-O-12 Zondo B Zondo N Oluwalana A Umayah E Sikhosana S

15:20 – 15:50 Finalisation of Judging and Tea

16:00 – 17:00 Closing (T1) Chair: Professor Neil Koorbanally Closing remarks: Professor Francesco Petruccione, School of Chemistry and Physics

Prizegiving Ceremony Professor Albert Modi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Head of College

Lucky Draws

UKZN INQUBATE IP AND COMMERCIALISATION WORKSHOP Venue: T4

PROGRAMME

Commercialisation Advancement Session

10:00 – 10:15 Welcome and Introduction Ms Suvina Singh, Director InQubate

10:15 – 10:35 Adams and Adams Attorneys – Intellectual Mr Vishen Pillay, Partner Property (IP)

10:35 – 10:55 Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) – Mr Vusi Skosana, Head : Seed funding and technology development Technology Stations & IATs (TSP) fund

10:55 – 11:05 Elsevier – Empowering knowledge Mr Daneshree Moodley

11:05 – 11:35 Tea

11:35 – 11:45 SANAS – The impact of SANAS Mr Thabo Chesalokile Accreditation on operational performance of laboratories

11:45 – 11:55 Anonaya Gardens – Running a Student Mr Mongezi Dlamini, CEO Tech Business

11:55 – 12:10 SANEDI – How SANEDI supports research Mr Riaz Hamid leading to Innovation and Commercialisation

12:10 – 12:20 Data Analytics - Running a Student Tech Dr Uriri Solomon, CEO Business

12:20 – 12:35 ArtSolar – Industry/University collaboration Mr Viren Gosai, General Manager

12:35 – 12:45 Closing Ms Suvina Singh, Director InQubate

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College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

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ART MEETS SCIENCE

THE SACI KZN PERIODIC TABLE COMPETITION

The main goal of this high school competition was to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the 150th anniversary of the development of the Periodic Law of the Elements. The South African Chemical Institute (SACI) in KZN arranged a competition for grade 10 learners to “Celebrate the Periodic Table by way of Art”. Groups of learners were challenged to design an artistic representation of the Periodic Table. Ideally this was to be a movable object, so that it could be hung or suspended. The work had to be original, interesting, show command of the material being used, and impact the viewer in relation to the theme. Winning entries are on display at the Postgraduate Research and Innovation Symposium.

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THE NEPTUNE PROJECT: WASTE TO ART

The Neptune Project is a creative initiative of the South African Research Chair in Waste and Climate Change at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to use art to draw attention to the effects of pollution on the environment, especially the oceans, and to convey ideas for solutions emerging from high-quality scientific research conducted under the SARChI Chair.

The project aims to explore innovative and exciting ways to tackle waste and pollution, particularly the plastic pollution plaguing the country’s oceans, through recycling and re-use. In partnership with Umcebo Design, is planning an art exhibition of recycled artwork at UKZN’s School of Engineering, to highlight the seriousness of the problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and the value of recycling at a community level. Umcebo Design is known for its range of hand-made decor items using various recycled materials inspired by flora and fauna themes, and is also developing new uses for recycled material.

In order to promote a positive outlook showing the creative side of waste management, the Neptune Project features Umcebo Design art installations including sculpture, fine art and design, an Eco Fashion show held in collaboration with design students from the Durban University of Technology, a short video about plastic pollution in the oceans, an underwater photography exhibition, and even a musical event.

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College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science Postgraduate Research & Innovation Symposium 2019 Westville Campus

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Keynote Lecture

Big and Small Data in the era of the 4IR: an Industry Perceptive on how the World is Changing

PROFESSOR FULUFHELO NELWAMONDO EXECUTIVE MANAGER: NEXTGEN ENTERPRISES & INSTITUTIONS, COUNCIL FOR SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

Abstract: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is now a common expression, but has been called by other names, including the Digital Revolution. At the centre of it all, 4IR makes systems and machines intelligent and connected, underpinned by a number of emerging digital technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and Distributed Ledger Technologies. A lot of data (Big Data as well as Small Data) are generated or collected through these interconnections, and such data have grown beyond human comprehension. This talk will explore some applications of technologies that use these data, and how they are of benefit to society. It will also share insights from industries already deriving benefit from data analytics in this era, in particular how industrial systems have evolved into a class of Cyber-Physical Social Systems providing challenges and opportunities for enterprises and institutions, and will conclude by giving a glimpse into some activities that are shaping up to address these challenges in South Africa.

Biography:

Fulufhelo Nelwamondo has a BSc and PhD in Electrical Engineering, in the area of Computational Intelligence, and is a registered Professional Engineer. He is a Senior Member of the Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE), a senior member of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, and Visiting Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Institute of Intelligent Systems, University of Johannesburg. He was a post-doctoral fellow at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University and is the youngest South African ever to receive the Harvard-South Africa fellowship. He has been awarded many national and international research accolades, from organisations such as the IEEE, South African Institute of Electrical Engineers, amongst others.

In 2017 Professor Nelwamondo was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver and in 2016 was recognised by the Operation Research Society of South Africa for outstanding contributions to the science and profession of Operation Research. He has research and practical experience in software engineering, computational intelligence and optimisation in various applications and has interests in exciting and emerging areas of software and technology applications including data science, modelling of complex systems, machine learning, optimisation and mechanism design.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (T5)

Time Room T5 Title Page No. 09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 Chair: Dr Alistair Clulow 09:50 – 10:10 SAEES-O-01: FACTORS AFFECTING RURAL YOUTHS’ INTEREST 29 Raesetse Baloyi TO PARTICIPATE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIC MSc 212534491 ACTIVITIES: THE EX-ANTE APPROACH School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 10:10 – 10:30 SAEES-O-02: THE EFFECT OF SILICON FERTILISERS ON THE 30 Marylyn Christian AGRONOMIC TRAITS OF TWENTY WHEAT PhD 203505612 GENOTYPES (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 10:30 – 10:50 SAEES-O-03: GENETIC INTERRELATIONSHIP OF ELITE 31 Athenkosi Makebe SORGHUM (SELECTED FOR STRIGA ASIATICA (L) MSc 217040217 KUNZTE RESISTANCE AND COMPATIBILITY TO A School of Agricultural, Earth and BIOCONTROL AGENT (FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM Environmental Sciences F.SP. STRIGAE) USING AGRONOMIC TRAITS SORGHUM BICOLOR (L.) MOENCH) GENOTYPES 10:50 – 11:10 SAEES-O-04: OSTEOPOROSIS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN 32 Claire Martin HIV-POSITIVE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT PhD 882200198 CANDIDATES AND RECIPIENTS FROM HIV School of Agricultural, Earth and POSITIVE DONORS Environmental Sciences 11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 Chair: Dr Alistair Clulow 11:40 – 12:00 SAEES-O-05: ESTIMATING WATER USE OF DIFFERENT SIZED 33 Evidence Mazhawu AVOCADO ORCHARDS PhD 214580813 School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 12:00 – 12:20 SAEES-O-06: INVESTIGATING THE ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF 34 Carren Mncube MORINGA OLEIFERA EXTRACTS AGAINST MSc 213571333 FUSARIUM SPP. School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 12:20 – 12:40 SAEES-O-07: CONCEPTUAL HYDROGEOLOGICAL MODELLING 35 Moneri Modiba OF THE THYSPUNT AREA, EASTERN CAPE, MSc 218088292 SOUTH AFRICA School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 12:40 – 13:00 SAEES-O-08: NON-DESTRUCTIVE PREDICTION OF UNRIPE 36 Phindile Ndlovu BANANA FLOUR ADULTERATION WITH PhD 210504357 TRITICUM AESTIVUM AND ZEA MAYS FLOUR School of Agricultural, Earth and USING VISIBLE TO NEAR INFRARED Environmental Sciences SPECTROSCOPY AND MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS 14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 Chair: Dr Alistair Clulow 14:00 – 14:20 SAEES-O-09: THE EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE ON 37 Xola Ngceni SPROUTING INCIDENCE AND PROCESSING MSc 218018026 ATTRIBUTES OF THE SELECTED POTATO School of Agricultural, Earth and CULTIVARS Environmental Sciences

14:20 – 14:40 SAEES-O-10: AN INTEGRATED CONTROL STRATEGY FOR 38 Sinegugu Shude MANAGING FUSARIUM HEAD BLIGHT OF MSc 213521442 WHEAT USING EPIPHYTIC YEASTS AND A PLANT School of Agricultural, Earth and DEFENCE INDUCER Environmental Sciences 14:40 – 15:00 SAEES-O-11: SURVEYING THE DISTRIBUTION AND 38 Sinethemba Ximba MONITORING OF BANANA BUNCHY TOP VIRUS PhD 209510668 OUTBREAK IN SOUTH AFRICA School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences 15:00 – 15:20 SAEES-O-12: ADOPTION AND USE INTENSITY OF ORGANIC 39 Bhekani Zondo FERTILISER: A CASE OF SMALLHOLDER POTATO MSc 213517578 FARMERS IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (T6)

Time Room T6 Title Page No. 09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 Chair: Professor Shahidul Islam 09:50 – 10:10 SLS-O-01: THE DESIGN AND TESTING OF MINI-BARCODE 40 Ashrenee Govender MARKERS IN MARINE LOBSTERS PhD 211516398 School of Life Sciences 10:10 – 10:30 SLS-O-02: TWO SECRETED PROTEASE INHIBITORS FROM 41 Thando Maseko TRICHINELLA ZIMBABWENSIS: IDENTIFICATION, MSc 214552192 RECOMBINANT EXPRESSION AND School of Life Sciences CHARACTERISATION 10:30 – 10:50 SLS-O-03: BIO-ABSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS BY 42 Senzosenkosi Mkhize PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS GROWN FROM PhD 218086049 SUGARCANE WASTE PRODUCT SUPPLEMENTED School of Life Sciences WITH WHEAT BRAN 10:50 – 11:10 SLS-O-04: COMPETITIVE AND ALLELOPATHIC EFFECTS OF 43 Zoleka Mkhize VETIVER (CHRYSOPOGON ZIZANOIDES) ON MSc 214520191 NATIVE GRASS ESTABLISHMENT School of Life Sciences 11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 Chair: Professor Shahidul Islam 11:40 – 12:00 SLS-O-05: RECOMBINANT EXPRESSION OF SUGAR CANE 43 Nxalati Mkhombo CYSTEINE PROTEASE INHIBITORS AND A STUDY MSc 213572692 OF THEIR EFFECT ON TRICHINELLA CYSTEINE School of Life Sciences PROTEASES 12:00 – 12:20 SLS-O-06: PRETREATMENT AND ENZYMATIC 44 Justin Naicker TRANSFORMATION OF PULP AND PAPER MILL MSc 212509806 SLUDGE INTO A GLUCOSE-RICH HYDROLYSATE School of Life Sciences 12:20 – 12:40 SLS-O-07: THE DETERMINATION OF PRE-CLINICAL 45 Innocent Ndlovu BIOMARKERS FOR ICHTHYOPHONUS HOFERI MSc 213525571 POSITIVE WHITE STUMPNOSE School of Life Sciences (RHABDOSARGUS GLOBICEPS) 12:40 – 13:00 SLS-O-08: DE NOVO ASSEMBLY OF A NON-MODEL 46 Christine Onyango ANOMASTRAEA IRREGULARIS CORAL PhD 217079915 HOLOBIONT TRANSCRIPTOME AND School of Life Sciences DIFFERENTIAL EXPRESSION ANALYSIS OF ITS RESPONSES TO THERMAL STRESS

14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 Chair: Professor Shahidul Islam 14:00 – 14:20 SLS-O-09: ASSESSMENT OF THE ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY 47 Luvershen Ramkarran OF CYANOGEN IODIDE MSc 215051036 School of Life Sciences 14:20 – 14:40 SLS-O-10: CLONING, EXPRESSION AND 47 Faiaz Shaik Abdool CHARACTERISATION OF TRICHINELLA PhD 208518669 ZIMBABWENSIS SERINE PROTEASES AND School of Life Sciences INHIBITORS: POTENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC ANTIGENS FOR TRICHINELLOSIS? 14:40 – 15:00 SLS-O-11: A RAPID METHOD OF PURIFYING RNA FROM 48 Siphelele Sibisi PERIPHERAL CLOTTED BLOOD FOR RT-PCR PhD 210507649 AMPLIFICATION AND CLONING OF School of Life Sciences IMMUNOGLOBULIN V-GENES 15:00 – 15:20 SLS-O-12: CLONING AND CHARACTERISATION OF A 49 Nomusa Zondo TRICHINELLA ZIMBABWENSIS CATHEPSIN B AS MSc 213501374 A POTENTIAL DIAGNOSTICS OR VACCINE School of Life Sciences CANDIDATE

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (T1)

Time Room T1 Title Page No. 09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 Chair: Professor Neil Koorbanally 09:50 – 10:10 SCP-O-01: LEARNING A QUANTUM FEATURE MAP 50 Amira Abbas MSc 210504403 School of Chemistry and Physics 10:10 – 10:30 SCP-O-02: IMPROVED SOLAR ENERGY HARVESTING 51 Michael Adedeji THROUGH THE INCORPORATION OF COPPER PhD 218084240 SULPHIDE IN PEDOT:PSS AS HOLE TRANSPORT School of Chemistry and Physics MATERIAL IN P3HT/PCBM THIN FILM ORGANIC SOLAR CELL 10:30 – 10:50 SCP-O-03: A DFT STUDY OF THE NUCLEOPHILIC AROMATIC 52 Eric Akintemi DISPLACEMENT MECHANISM FOR THE PhD 219086416 FORMATION OF 2,4-DINITRODIMETHYLAMINE School of Chemistry and Physics AND PHENOL 10:50 – 11:10 SCP-O-04: LARGE SCALE STRUCTURE CROSS 53 Ayodeji Ibitoye CORRELATION; THERMAL SUNYAEV PhD 217077154 ZEL’DOVICH EFFECT AND DENSITY FIELD MAP School of Chemistry and Physics 11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 Chair: Professor Neil Koorbanally 11:40 – 12:00 SCP-O-05: A THEORY OF ELECTRIC-FIELD-INDUCED 53 Roshna Jacob SECOND-HARMONIC GENERATION IN DENSE PhD 217080360 FLUIDS School of Chemistry and Physics 12:00 – 12:20 SCP-O-06: CONTINUOUS UNSHARP MEASUREMENT AND 54 Shamik Maharaj FEEDBACK MSc 213536178 School of Chemistry and Physics 12:20 – 12:40 SCP-O-07: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERISATION AND ANTI- 55 Shriya Misra CANCER ACTIVITY OF COUMARIN-TRIAZOLE MSc 214502113 HYBRIDS School of Chemistry and Physics

12:40 – 13:00 SCP-O-08: PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF AN 56 Sithembiso Mtshali ANTIDIABETIC PLANT BRACHYLAENA DISCOLOR MSc 214521668 DC School of Chemistry and Physics 14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 Chair: Professor Neil Koorbanally 14:00 – 14:20 SCP-O-09: METHODS DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION 57 Nkosinathi Ngomane FOR THE DETERMINATION OF MSc 214526737 NEONICOTINOIDS INSECTICIDES IN WATER, School of Chemistry and Physics SOIL AND SEDIMENTS 14:20 – 14:40 SCP-O-10: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERISATION OF THE 57 Simphiwe Ngwenya PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF N- MSc 214502048 TiO2/Bi2O3-REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE School of Chemistry and Physics NANOCOMPOSITES 14:40 – 15:00 SCP-O-11: NICKEL AND COPPER IMINE-PYRIDYL 58 Nyameka Diko COMPLEXES FOR PARTIAL OCTANE OXIDATION MSc 213558657 School of Chemistry and Physics 15:00 – 15:20 SCP-O-12: EFFECTS OF REACTION TEMPERATURES ON THE 59 Abimbola Oluwalana STRUCTURAL, OPTICAL AND PHOTOCATALYTIC PhD 217075609 PROPERTIES OF OCTADECYLAMINE CAPPED SnS School of Chemistry and Physics AND PbS NANOPARTICLES

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (T2)

Time Room T2 Title Page No. 09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 Chair: Professor Akshay Saha 09:50 – 10:10 SE-O-01: ENHANCEMENT OF AVAILABLE TRANSFER 60 Babatunde Adewolu CAPABILITY WITH FACTS DEVICES IN A PhD 218074756 DEREGULATED AND RESTRUCTURED POWER School of Engineering SYSTEMS 10:10 – 10:30 SE-O-02: RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR UPLINK SCMA 61 Simon Chege NOMA IN HETEROGENEOUS NETWORKS WITH PhD 219085519 IMPERFECT CHANNEL STATE ESTIMATION School of Engineering 10:30 – 10:50 SE-O-03: EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTE BEEF 62 Edwin Cheruiyot Kosgei TALLOW BIODIESEL IN DI DIESEL ENGINE FOR MSc 218076625 AGRICULTURAL APPLICATIONS School of Engineering 10:50 – 11:10 SE-O-04: SCALE CODING A BAG-OF-WORDS FOR VIDEO- 63 Divina Govender BASED ACTION RECOGNITION MSc 215023704 School of Engineering 11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 Chair: Professor Akshay Saha 11:40 – 12:00 SE-O-05: PLASMA: A NOVEL WAY OF WATER 64 Emmanuel Gwanzura DISINFECTION MSc 218078321 School of Engineering 12:00 – 12:20 SE-O-06: CONVERSION OF WASTE CHICKEN FEATHERS 65 Mduduzi Khumalo INTO REGENERATED KERATIN NANOFIBRES PhD 217080685 School of Engineering 12:20 – 12:40 SE-O-07: EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF 66 Yatshamba Kubelwa AEOLIAN VIBRATIONS OF BUNDLE PhD 211559874 CONDUCTORS School of Engineering 16

12:40 – 13:00 SE-O-08: SOLAR DRYING OF FAECAL SLUDGE: EFFECT OF 67 Martin Mawejje EXPERIMENTAL PARAMETERS ON DRYING MSc 218087129 KINETICS AND SLUDGE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES School of Engineering 14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 Chair: Professor Akshay Saha 14:00 – 14:20 SE-O-09: OPTICAL COHERENCE FINGERPRINT IMAGE 68 Sboniso Mgaga DENOISING MSc 218087996 School of Engineering 14:20 – 14:40 SE-O-10: INVESTIGATION INTO A MACHINE LEARNING 69 Mohale Molefe APPROACH TO AUTOMATED RAIL DEFECTS MSc 213538364 DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION School of Engineering 14:40 – 15:00 SE-O-11: VAPOUR-LIQUID EQUILIBRIUM FOR THE 70 Paul Ngcobo SEPARATION OF HEXAFLUOROPROPYLENE AND PhD 203504237 HEXAFLUOROPROPYLENE OXIDE School of Engineering 15:00 – 15:20 SE-O-12: APPLICATION OF CYLINDRICAL SURROUNDING 71 Erhiega Umayah PATCH ANTENNAS FOR IMPROVED PhD 216076305 PERFORMANCE School of Engineering

ORAL PRESENTATIONS (T7)

Time Room T7 Title Page No. 09:50 – 11:10 Session 1 Chair: Professor Henry Mwambi 09:50 – 10:10 SMSCS-O-01: INVESTIGATION OF ADVANCE HYBRID FIREFLY 72 Molinoluwa Agbaje METAHEURISTIC OPTIMISATION TECHNIQUES MSc 219087988 FOR AUTOMATIC DATA CLUSTERING PROBLEM School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 10:10 – 10:30 SMSCS-O-02: IMPROVING THE CBRMD METHOD FOR 73 Lateef Amusa ESTIMATING CAUSAL TREATMENT EFFECTS: PhD 217080935 NEW INSIGHTS AND SOME NUMERICAL School of Mathematics, Statistics and EXPLORATIONS Computer Science 10:30 – 10:50 SMSCS-O-03: DEEP FOREST APPROACH FOR FACIAL 73 Olufisayo Ekundayo EXPRESSION RECOGNITION PhD 218085734 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 10:50 – 11:10 SMSCS-O-04: MATHEMATICAL MODEL AND ADVANCED 74 Prinolan Govender METAHEURISTIC TECHNIQUES FOR OPTIMAL PhD 213535970 BLOOD ASSIGNMENT IN A BLOOD BANKING School of Mathematics, Statistics and SYSTEM Computer Science 11:40 – 13:00 Session 2 Chair: Professor Henry Mwambi 11:40 – 12:00 SMSCS-O-05: MODELLING DIABETES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN 75 Nina Grundlingh POPULATION MSc 215031185 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science

12:00 – 12:20 SMSCS-O-06: A RICCI-TYPE FLOW ON GLOBALLY NULL 76 Mohamed Hamed MANIFOLDS AND ITS GRADIENT ESTIMATES PhD 217077255 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 12:20 – 12:40 SMSCS-O-07: SEMI-TETRAD SPACETIME DECOMPOSITION 76 Chevarra Hansraj WITH CONFORMAL SYMMETRY PhD 214530994 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 12:40 – 13:00 SMSCS-O-08: JOINT MODELLING CD4 COUNT AND 77 Nobuhle Mchunu MORTALITY IN A COHORT OF PATIENTS PhD 213535836 INITIATED ON HAART: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 14:00 – 15:20 Session 3 Chair: Professor Henry Mwambi 14:00 – 14:20 SMSCS-O-09: EXISTENCE OF SOLUTIONS FOR NONLINEAR 77 Akindele Mebawondu INTEGRAL EQUATIONS VIA GENERALISED NON- PhD 216028272 EXPANSIVE MAPPINGS IN METRIC SPACES School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 14:20 – 14:40 SMSCS-O-10: A PSEUDOSPECTRAL METHOD FOR TIME- 78 Shina Oloniiju FRACTIONAL PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL PhD 217059200 EQUATIONS School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 14:40 – 15:00 SMSCS-O-11: SOME RESULTS ON MARGINALLY TRAPPED 78 Abbas Sherif SURFACES IN GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE: A PhD 217076454 SEMITETRAD COVARIANT STUDY School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science 15:00 – 15:20 SMSCS-O-12: DIFFUSE RADIO EMISSION IN ACTPolL CLUSTERS 79 Sinenhlanhla Sikhosana PhD 211501756 School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science

POSTER PRESENTATIONS: LES – STREAM PAGE POSTER NO. FULL NAME TITLE NO. SAEES-P-001 Abd’Quadri-Abojukoro A EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS AND IN 80 PhD 217080642 VITRO CYTOTOXICITY OF SELECTED PLANT EXTRACTS WITH POTENTIAL