News
ANALYSIS: The continued threat of coal mining at the Mapungubwe world heritage site
Most developing countries face acute tensions between socio-economic development and environmental protection. Any opposition to proposed development, on environmental or heritage grounds, is seen as a threat to the creation of employment and the growth of the economy.
Studying and doing research in isolation: A guide to thriving
When South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown on 23 March, academic institutions were faced with a new reality and concerns about how to resume the academic year.
UP part of team that solves mystery of X-shaped radio galaxies with MeerKAT telescope
A team of astronomers from South Africa and the USA has used the MeerKAT telescope to solve a longstanding puzzle in ‘X’-shaped radio galaxies by observing a galaxy called PKS 2014-55 that’s situated 800 million light years away from Earth. Previous studies of these unusual galaxies lacked the high-quality imaging provided by the MeerKAT telescope, which was inaugurated in 2018.
Researcher Profile: Dr Kshitij Thorat
Dr Kshitij Thorat is an astronomer and a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pretoria (UP). He is a member of UP’s astronomy group within the Department of Physics at the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences.
ANALYSIS: The big asks Africa needs to table with the IMF and World Bank: here’s the list
The coronavirus and its economic consequences have caused economic tsunamis in every country in the world. The scale of the onslaught will dominate discussions at the International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank spring meetings due to take place – for the first time ever virtually – in mid-April.
ANALYSIS: Investing in research is South Africa’s best insurance policy against crises
As the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads around the world, causing the disease COVID-19, it is becoming ever clearer that the solutions to this pandemic will all be based on research.
Do archaic colonial laws criminalise homeless people today?
Prof Magnus Killander, an international human rights and comparative constitutional law researcher at the University of Pretoria’s world-renowned Centre for Human Rights in the Faculty of Law, believes that South Africa needs to overhaul and relook many of its municipal by laws which criminalise poverty, begging and homeless people.
WATCH: UP experts discuss coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
As South Africa responds to the local spread of a global pandemic, University of Pretoria (UP) researchers are at the forefront of research into zoonotic diseases – which can be transmitted from animals to humans – via collaborative research between our Faculties of Health Sciences, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Veterinary Science.
UP study flags financial inclusion gap for women smallholder farmers in Nigeria as obstacle in efforts towards achieving sustainable development
Women smallholder farmers in Nigeria are involved in all aspects of agriculture. This ranges from producing food on farms to putting it on plates. They’re involved in planting crops, livestock production, harvesting, marketing and processing of farm produce as well as food preparation and family care.
UP part of 3-year ELEPHANT project to address health challenges arising from human, animal interaction such as COVID-19
The Faculty of Veterinary Science at UP is one of the leading partners in the Erasmus+ ELEPHANT project which will boost the capacity of the participating partner institutions in solving complex issues relating to the health of humans and animals.
Pioneering research by University of Pretoria and University of Leicester revolutionises early detection of TB
Researchers at the Universities of Pretoria (UP) and Leicester are revolutionising the way tuberculosis (TB) is detected through the invention and application of a 3D-printed insert added to simple face-masks. This new approach has the potential to detect millions of currently missed infections across the world.
UP: A World of Answers
At the University of Pretoria, we find answers.
UP’s Prof Frans Swanepoel recognised for creating impact for Africa’s agricultural development
Professor Frans Swanepoel, Fellow at the Centre for Advancement of Scholarship and Director: International Strategic Partnerships, was recently honored by RUFORUM during its 15th AGM in Ghana for his significant contributions in pursuit of excellence in higher education in Africa and creating systems that facilitate change and transformation.
UP animal and wildlife sciences professor named Gauteng Agriculturist of the Year
Professor Esté van Marle-Köster, Head of the Department of Animal and Wildlife Sciences at the University of Pretoria (UP), has been given the award for Gauteng Agriculturist of the Year. She received this prestigious award from Agricultural Writers South Africa at the association’s recent awards evening.
UP Ampath Chair in Human Genetics focuses on better health for all South Africans
Knowledge exchange and innovation to ultimately benefit health economics in South Africa were the main focus as the University of Pretoria (UP) and pathology and laboratory medicine services provider Ampath signed an addendum to a Memorandum of Agreement recently.
Exploring the unknown territory of big data in the food and agricultural landscape
The 2nd African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) conference was held in Nairobi from 18-20 November. This biennial event brings together the brightest minds from across Africa to foster diaglog on key development issues and how it can be addressed - in Africa for Africa. This years’ theme explored the role of African universities in the fourth industrial revolution.
New study finds today’s gorillas may be smarter than human ‘ancestors’ of three million years ago
The great apes, including humans, gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, are very intelligent. But how does the intelligence of living great apes, such as Koko the gorilla, compare with our 3 million-year-old relatives, such as “Lucy” the Australopithecine?
UP’s Faculty of Law scores first for Africa with third consecutive year in THE global top 100 university subject rankings
The University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Law has for the third consecutive year been ranked in Times Higher Education’s (THE) 2020 survey of the Top 100 World University Rankings by subject. This achievement is unparalleled in South Africa and Africa.
SMART CITIES PART 1: The future of smart cities in Africa
Concepts such as Engineering 4.0 can be realised with projects that seek to improve the crop of civil engineers available in South Africa. One such effort is the national road materials reference and training laboratory under construction at the University of Pretoria.
Namibia’s urban poor are stuck in limbo, without land or services
Informal settlements are increasingly emerging in cities in developing countries across the world, including Africa. Today an estimated 25% of the world’s urban population live in informal settlements.