How to Choose the Best Research Partners
How to Choose the Best Research Partners Whether it be the quantity of the data or an extremely nuanced focus area, circumstance will often have it that assembling a team, as opposed to a solo effort, is the best course of action when conducting your postgraduate research. However, assembling the optimal research team is no easy feat, with a poor decision in this regard having the potential to completely derail the project. So just how do you choose the best research partner? Something Different Choosing to partner with an individual who has been exposed to exactly the same educational background as yourself can be great for team chemistry, but it can also limit the partnership’s ability to contextualise the research issue from [...]
VUT achieves 2nd Runner up at National Three Minute Thesis Competition
VUT achieves 2nd Runner up at National Three Minute Thesis Competition VUT is delighted to announce the second runner up Immaculate Linda Achieng’ Ouma from the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences. Her thesis title is: Preparation and characterization of manganese doped iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles coated pine cone powder and its applications in water treatment Her future plans are: Work as an academic to help students develop their knowledge of science and provide solutions to environmental problems through science. The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic competition developed by the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, and has since developed into a national competition across Australia. The concept has grown exponentially since its launch and has been adopted in 18 countries outside [...]
South Africa’s First Climate Change Court Case: Verdict and Significance
South Africa's First Climate Change Court Case: Verdict and Significance On the 8th of March, 2017, South Africa bore witness to its first-ever court case concerning climate change when Earthlife Africa (ELA) challenged the construction of a new coal-fuelled power station on the basis that the climate change impacts of the proposed power station were not properly considered. Although the matter was only heard at the high court level, the case has potentially set a crucial precedent within the field of environmental law. The Verdict: During the course of this judgement, the court reiterated the need for environmental due diligence as well as recognising the duty upon the country to combat climate change, even in the face of the country’s current energy crisis. [...]
5 Areas of Study Where You’re Guaranteed a Job in the Future
5 Areas of Study Where You're Guaranteed a Job in the Future Schumpeter’s theory of creative destruction is more relevant today than ever before, with technology and a changing environment set to render a number of traditional careers redundant. However, although the destruction of the commercial viability of certain jobs is inevitable, other careers are set to step into the breach and flourish in the new job market. Bearing this in mind, students should invest in areas that are suited to the job market of the future: 1) Water With water already growing increasingly scarce due to pollution and extreme droughts arising from global warming, the issue of water is only set to become more and more prominent. Whether it be exploiting this [...]
Reaching Out – Effective Citizenship in Action
Reaching Out - Effective Citizenship in Action As a student or academic researcher, it is often easy to focus only on the work at hand and ignore the world moving around you. However, every now and again a tragedy will occur that will bring one’s civic duty into stark focus. One such example arose out of the ravaging fire that struck Imizamo Yethu township, Hout Bay on the 12th of March. As the blaze swept through the township, consuming home after home, the Imizamo Yethu community and the general public at large came together to produce a shining example of what it means to be an effective citizen. What is Effective Citizenship? The creation of strong, altruistic communities is necessary for any [...]
What is Globalisation and Why is it Important?
What is Globalisation and Why is it Important? Globalisation is a pervasive phenomenon that has infiltrated nearly every facet of public life, from the educational curriculum to fast food chains, the effects of globalisation are inescapable. What is globalisation and why has it become so important? ‘Globalisation’ is a catchall term used to describe the free movement of goods, services and people across the world. Given the broad nature of this definition, it is hardly surprising that the effects of globalisation have been able to hide in plain sight. Take for example your local KFC or McDonalds – you are more likely to see a convenient food source than a foreign corporation that has infiltrated and dominated the local industry. Globalisation is principally [...]
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