This Week @Fort Hare Vol 2 Issue 16
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Institutional Advancement This Week @FORT HARE Vol 2, issue 16 04 August 2020 DEPUTY MINISTER EXPRESSES SATISFACTION WITH UFH’s RESPONSE PLAN TO COVID-19 “It’s pleasing that your Covid-19 response teams comprise all stakeholders on campus – including students. Our emphasis as the Ministerial Team has always been that we can only succeed to curb the spread of Covid-19 when every stakeholder on campus is involved” // Prof Sakhela Buhlungu // DM Buti Manamela // Mr Philisa Mvulana // Dr Rose Masha Mr Buti Manamela - Higher Education Deputy two doctors, one for Alice and one for the East Minister (DM), has commended efforts by the London campus. University of Fort Hare to save the 2020 academic The VC also announced that the first batch year whilst ensuring Covid-19 health and safety student laptops have arrived in the country and measures are in place. would be distributed soon. “It’s pleasing that your Covid-19 response teams The VC’s address was followed by detailed comprise all stakeholders on campus – including presentations by Mr Mvulana who spoke about students. Our emphasis as the Ministerial Team matters of compliance and Dr Rose Masha, has always been that we can only succeed to curb the Deputy Registrar for Academic Affairs who the spread of Covid-19 when every stakeholder presented the revised academic calendar. on campus is involved”, said the Deputy Minister. According to Dr Masha, the 1st The DM was speaking during an oversight visit to semester st the university’s East London campus on Monday, commenced on the 1 August and will run until nd 03 August, to monitor the implementation of 30 November. The 2 semester will start on 1 Covid-19 health and safety measures. He was December to 17 April 2021. accompanied by officials from the Department, “In terms of assessments, we aim to have 98% the Ministry and Higher Health. of exams conducted online. For our first exams, The oversight visit started with a formal we have targeted mid-October and our second engagement with the university’s executive team exams will be run in February.” and leaders of the interim Student Representative Dr Masha said the calendar presented on the day Council. Delegates were welcomed by the Vice- was the university’s worst case scenario. “Our best Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu. case scenario is when we get all the modules In his opening remarks, the VC gave a summary of online and squeeze the exams into one week, as measures that have been put place. most assessments will take place online.” “The first thing we did was to set up a Task Team The DM said he was pleased with the reports that is led by Mrs Ntombana Rala from the Nursing and thanked the presenters for such informative Department who also serves on the Eastern Cape presentations. Premier’s Covid-19 Advisory Team. Secondly, ”We hope to see activity on campus. I trust we appointed a Compliance Officer, Mr Philisa all returned students will adhere to the safety Mvulana who is the Director of Property and measures, in order to save the academic year and Services. We also have a Covid-19 Management save lives.” Response Committee which takes issues and recommends action.” The visit concluded with a walkabout in the Nursing Science Building. In addition, the university has also increased the number of Nursing Staff and has also employed by Aretha Linden Page 1 | ThisWeek@FortHare Vol 2, issue 16 04 August 2020 | Page 2 In conversation with PROFESSOR SOLOMON TEFERA BEYENE C-Rated Biological and Agricultural Science Researcher, and Professor in the Livestock and Pasture Science Department, Faculty of Science and Agriculture Please share some information about your • Grazing management impacts on Plants, soil, capability as fodder bank development, to support research field, including past and current C-N Pools and Methane Production Potential of livestock production systems in resource-limited projects: rangelands. (NRF funded). communal livelihoods. My research interest and goals include investigating the • Integrating local and scientific knowledge in • My recent work has also contributed to restoration resource dynamics of arid and semi-arid ecosystems rangeland resource management and utilization of deteriorating rangelands in the Eastern Cape in and environmental as well as managerial impacts on the for sustainable small-scale livestock production. order to give better ecosystem services and goods sustainability of these resources to provide livelihoods. (Agriculture Research Council (ARC) and University to society. I am particularly interested in delineating African of Fort Hare (UFH) Collaborative research project). National and international recongnisation degraded rangelands using local ecological knowledge My research outcomes have led me to be recognized (community perceptions), remote sensed technologies What do you think are your most significant locally and internationally. I serve as NRF panel in and field data. I am also interested in evaluating research accomplishments? research proposal and review. I am an Associate Editor restoration practices to regenerate these degraded • I have published over 36 articles in peer-reviewed for the African Journal of Range and Forage Science and rangelands - based on their realistic needs. accredited journals, one book chapter and two have reviewed many high impact journals. // Prof Solomon Tefera Beyene working policy documents. My research approach focuses on the conceptual frame I also serve as a regional consultant to the African Union which argues that development of sustainable adaptive • I have supervised over 20 MSc and four PhD students and United Nations. I have produced working policy practices to manage African rangelands and restore to completion. documents on developing pastoral policy framework degraded environment, requires holistic approaches by • My research has contributed up-to-date science- and building climate change resilience for the African Who is Prof Beyene? integrating the four components of the ecosystem (soil- based evidence for land managers, scientists, Livestock Production System. I was born in Ethiopia in 1973. I obtained my B.Sc. (1993) vegetation-livestock-man). development practitioners, and policy makers in and M.Sc. (1998) in Animal Production from Alemaya support of sustainably management of African semi- I have been involved in numerous research projects as What advice would you give to Young University, Ethiopia. In 2003 I obtained my PhD in arid rangelands. a principal investigator and collaborator with Institutions Researchers out there? Grassland Sciences from the University of the Free State. from South Africa and abroad. • My studies also provided factual evidence to inform My love of nature and animals greatly influenced my In these days of increased pressure and competition for current state of African rangeland systems including decision to major in Animal and Range Sciences. rangeland resources as well as continuing impacts of Key projects include: in the Eastern Cape. climate change, research problems are countless and I have over 23 year’s research experience as a Rangeland • Community based Rangeland Rehabilitation for • My research findings have added knowledge to complex, with some deserving urgent explanations and Ecologist and Management expert, working intensively maintenance of Ecosystem functions, services and comprehensive understanding of the dynamics solutions. in the arid and semi-arid rangelands of southern and goods. of African rangelands by integrating the bio- eastern Africa. I worked in eastern and southern Africa physical resources and societal (human ecological Young researchers may find themselves under a great • Emerging Crop-Livestock Production Systems universities for over two decades. My teaching specializes knowledge) dimensions and their management. pressure. This may not be good for creativity, but at adapted to a changing Environment. Interreg V in areas of Rangeland Ecology and Management, as well the same time, these situations can be challenging, programme (2014-2020) for regional cooperation in • Some of my research works have produced as disciplines related to pasture and fodder management strenuous, and inspiring. Of particular top priority and the Indian Ocean. This programme is funded by the a database on African woody and grass plant in semi-arid and arid ecology of Africa. high importance is that young researchers need to European Union (EU). (2017-2020). species with their vernacular names, socio-cultural, work as a strong team and be well networked, in order environmental and forage values. As a registered professional scientist with the South • Developing a pasture legume intercropping system to find solutions towards healing the growing degraded African Council for Natural Scientific Professions, my aim to restore abandoned grasslands of the Eastern • Through my work, I have also managed to identify rangelands of Africa. is to promote experiential and multidisciplinary research. Cape province (NRF Funded). species that are drought or stress tolerant with better Page 3 | ThisWeek@FortHare Vol 2, issue 16 04 August 2020 | Page 4 UFH COVID-19 READINESS Update: Week 3 - 7 August 2020 // Tandi Mapukata The information captured in this report has been sourced from, and verified by the relevant departments/ units or faculties. All enquiries should be directed accordingly or raised via the SRC. Do not call, email or text the editor of this publication. STAGGERED RETURN OF STUDENTS (Registrar’s Office: Examinations): All permits for the