News
Beating hunger: How aeroponics could provide the solution to feeding 10 billion people
By 2050, we will need to produce at least 50% more food than we do currently to feed 10 billion people. However, over half the land in the world is already used to produce food, and agriculture has a significant negative impact on the environment.
Beating food insecurity with African grains
Food security is a major issue in Africa. About 20% of the African population is undernourished, with sub-Saharan Africa being the worst hit by food insecurity. Of the 821 million people who are undernourished in the world today, about a third are in Africa. Of these, 90% are in sub-Saharan Africa.
UP Vice-Principal becomes first female president of the Royal Society of South Africa
The University of Pretoria’s Vice Principal for Research and Postgraduate Education, Professor Stephanie Burton, has been elected President of the Royal Society of South Africa, the first woman to hold the position in the organisation’s 111-year history.
UP and CSIR study reveals plant vaccines could save poultry industry
The University of Pretoria (UP) has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to successfully develop a vaccine against avian influenza using tobacco plants, bypassing the many biosafety risks involved with using traditional live vaccine viruses.
Science fiction offers a useful way to explore China-Africa relations
In 2007 the then President of China, Hu Jintao, delivered a speech to South Africans acknowledging the benefits of a strategic partnership. He also stressed that the connection is not merely pragmatic. It must, he argued, serve to honour and deepen the countries’ long abiding friendship in the future.
Can robots replace teachers?
A study by the McKinsey Global Institute reports that 50% of companies believe that automation will decrease their numbers of full-time staff by 2022, and robots will replace 800 million workers across the world by 2030.
Why knowing what black mamba venom does to the human body is crucial
Black mambas are extremely dangerous reptiles – in fact, many consider the species to be one of the world’s deadliest snakes. They won’t seek out human interaction. But if cornered or confronted, they will strike. And their venom is lethal.
Smartphone technology based on UP research helps young children with hearing and vision problems
A two-minute smartphone test can identify hearing and vision problems before children even start school according to new research published in the prestigious Bulletin of the World Health Organisation.
UP TIPS study helps make rugby players healthier to perform in tournaments
The largest prospective study on illness in rugby union players has revealed that 70% of the players studied in just one season’s Super Rugby Tournament reported illness at some time during the tournament.
Central banks are waking up to climate change dangers. It’s about time
The impact of climate change on the stability of individual financial institutions and the financial system in general is growing. It influences the types of activities that financial institutions will fund and the cost of finance.
UP signs collaboration agreement with University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (Unimore)
A mutual agreement of understanding has been signed between the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and UP to collaborate in learning and research support within the car manufacturing and transport industries in South Africa.
University Social Responsibility Month
This October, the University Social Responsibility campaign will be launched. The campaign aims to raise awareness on the University of Pretoria’s (UP) impact on communities through our social responsiveness and social responsibility initiatives.
Towards a prosperous Africa – Partnerships for impact
Africa is a continent on the rise, a place where economic performance has proved resilient despite turbulent international events. But Africa is also a continent of contradictions and complexity.
UP looks at tourism sector to help create jobs
Research has revealed that young people aged 15-24 are the most vulnerable in the South African labour market, with unemployment figures for this group sitting at 55.2% in the first quarter of 2019.
Fight the post-graduation blues with the UP Alumni Connect app
Our university years have often been said to be some of the ‘best years of our lives’. Like any great adventure, however, it must come to an end.
Persons with disabilities are most likely to become victims of crime and abuse
Persons with disabilities are far more likely to be victims of crime compared with non-disabled persons, says Professor Juan Bornman, Director of the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Augmentative & Alternative Communication.
UP’s Engineering 4.0 to take transportation into the future
UP's state-of-the-art Engineering 4.0 building will host Africa’s first independent transport reference and testing facility. It will also be a research and training hub for smart transport systems.
Is the Bible dangerous?
Throughout history, people have killed in the name of God. God’s name has been, and continues to be used to legitimise wars, genocide and even apartheid.
Cloud computing could be key to speeding up Africa’s development
Earlier this year, 17 African countries presented their progress on reaching the Sustainable Development Goals at the UN. There was some good news and progress. But it’s clear that radical interventions are still required if countries on the continent are to achieve these ambitious global development goals.
Javett-UP is now open to the public
The Javett Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (Javett-UP) opened its doors to the public on Tuesday, 24 September.