News
UP actively boosts women professors and researchers
South African universities are actively pursuing gender equality and academic advancement opportunities to substantially increase the number of women professors and leading researchers.
SA economy requires 4IR research-intensive boost
In the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, universities are expected to be central actors of scientific, social and technological change in the drive for innovation and economic growth. It is against this background that countries are enhancing their competitiveness by strengthening their research-intensive universities.
South Africa’s carbon tax matters – for the economy and tackling climate change
Carbon tax is likely to be an effective way of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, which lead to climate change and have negative consequences for human life. But the carbon tax that’s been introduced in South Africa could cost jobs, unless people acquire skills that can be used in sectors that are not carbon-intensive.
Global award a ‘career highlight’ for UP seed scientist
Prof Terry Aveling from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria recently won the award for the best paper presentation at the 32nd International Seed Testing Association Congress in Hyderabad, India.
UP Microbiology PhD student wins international prize
A UP PhD student in microbiology, Itumeleng Baloyi, was recently awarded the first prize for the best poster presentation at the Phytochemical Society of Europe and Young Scientist Meeting 2019 in Budapest, Hungary.
South Africa’s first SDG report card: how to move beyond ticking boxes
South Africa will present its first progress report on the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations on 17 July. This report will provide a rather extensive snapshot of the country’s progress towards the 169 ambitious targets.
6 NSTF ‘brilliants’ studying at UP join astronomy tour
Six University of Pretoria (UP) first-year students recently went on a weeklong tour arranged by the National Science and Technology Forum as part of its Brilliants Programme for first-year students who excelled in grade 12 in 2018.
67% of seals are at risk of entanglement in oceanic plastic pollution, UP review of global data suggests
Researchers at UP have conducted a global review of studies on the entanglement of pinnipeds in oceanic plastic pollution, and found that 67% of these aquatic mammals are at risk of entanglement. Pinnipeds have front and rear flippers, and the group includes seals, sea lions and walruses.
‘Loss of species is an existential threat to humans’ – UP academics respond to UN extinction report
Wild spaces and the animals in them are disappearing at an alarming rate, according to the recent United Nations (UN) report on the extinction of species.
What now for arts and culture in SA? – Future Africa at UP hosts public forum on the state of the arts
As South Africa awaited President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of his new Cabinet, a rousing discussion at the May public forum at the Future Africa campus explored the way forward for the Department of Arts and Culture.
UP academics’ work on African mole-rat research could pave way for new painkillers for humans
Three University of Pretoria (UP) scientists are part of a team whose research on African mole-rats has led to a discovery that may hold the key to pain management in humans.
International Day of Action for Women’s Health: Implications of Caster Semenya ruling must be carefully weighed, says UP professor
The recent verdict by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who rejected Caster Semenya’s challenge against the International Associations of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rules forcing her to lower her testosterone levels in order to compete internationally, has been described as an injustice to female athletes.
UP, HSRC and DST launch “rich and timely” publication on poverty and inequality
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in conjunction with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Pretoria (UP) recently launched a flagship publication entitled Poverty and Inequality: Diagnosis, Prognosis and Responses, described by former Minister of Public Enterprises Alec Erwin as “a rich and timely contribution to a national reflection on the establishment and quality of our democratic nation state”.
IN MY OPINION: UP professor proposes new theory for understanding the universe that challenges Big Bang Theory
Professor Mohsen Sharifpur, an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pretoria, has developed a new scientific theory that may hold the key to understanding the secrets of the early universe – as well as a perspective of the future of our universe.
UP’s Veterinary Science Faculty upskills small-scale feedlot farmers
The Department of Production Animal Studies in the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Veterinary Science recently invited emerging small-scale feedlot farmers from the surrounding communities to participate in its annual Feedlot Challenge, which will run until 24 May.
Six new ways that UP is fighting malaria in 2019
From insect-repelling socks to potential new drugs from local plants, the University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) is turning up the heat on the deadly disease this World Malaria Day.
UP student clinches second place in Budget Speech competition
André Lourens, a BCom Honours in Economics student, won R40 000 in prize money when he took second place in the undergraduate category of the Nedbank and Old Mutual Budget Speech Competition. Now in its 47th year, the competition is designed to motivate and incentivise South Africa’s most talented students in economics and finance to contribute to national debates on crucial issues.
Big announcement coming soon
Big announcement coming soon
Student with a rare genetic disorder graduates against all odds
Meet Erika Barnard, a graduate from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Theology. She has Familial Dysautonomia, an extremely rare genetic disorder that significantly impairs the function of her entire autonomic nervous system.
In celebration of forests
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests in 2012. The day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of all types of forests.