The Inspired Science, Engineering and Technology (I-SET) Community Engagement Flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) participated in the SciFestAfrica exhibition, held recently in Grahamstown.

Why inspire awareness of science, engineering and technology through the fun activities of robotics? This is because although we are unable to confidently predict all the technological discoveries of the next few years,  we can confidently predict that the next few years will include computer programming, electronic embedded systems, engineering design, and mathematics.

What we do know now is that I-SET robotics can be used to teach these concepts.  At the same time, robotics encourages 21st century skill sets such as collaboration, time management, resource allocation, teamwork, problem solving, and communications.

Students grappled with the building of the robots using the MindStorms kit

I-SET presented a full-house workshop everday for one week.  The two robots that went along worked very hard, and convinced at least three schools in the Eastern Cape to introduce robotics in their communities. The schools that attended the workshops included the Osizweni Science Centre, St Andrews Preparatory School, Johannesbrg German School, Nyandeni JSS, St Andrews College, Loraine Primary, Cambridge Primary, WP Preparatory, Hoerskool Colesburg, and Zamakulungisa Secondary.  These learners, from diverse backgrounds, participated in the workshops, and learnt more than just the building and programming of a robot.

The programming of the robot was easy.

The I-SET project was represented by a team that included I-SET Buddies. A group of 30 Unisa students volunteered in 2012 to be trained as robotics mentors (I-SET buddies).  Their responsibilities include the presentation of Science Expo workshops and the coaching of learners in schools in their communities.  This team was part of the greater CSET delegation who participated in the SciFest.

The programming of the robot was easy

For more information, and photographs of the SciFest 2013:

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Email: i-set@unisa.ac.za

Twitter: @ISETLEGO

*Article by Kabelo Pheeha and Patricia Gouws

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Prof Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu (College of Science, Engineering and Technology), is a winner of the 2012 Innovation Award and incumbent of the newly established Unisa Research Chair in Superconductivity Technology

The difference between a small unknown university and a big league university like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and Princeton University is research and innovation, something Unisa’s executive management is committed to building and sustaining said Professor Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu, incumbent of the newly established Unisa Research Chair in Superconductivity Technology.

“And I am glad that as Unisa enters its 140^th year of shaping futures, our leadership, Professor Makhanya, (Principal and Vice-Chancellor) and Professor Phakeng (Vice-Principal: Research and Innovation) have a very strong vision and are very serious about building this component, research and innovation at our university.”As one of the recipients of the 2012 Unisa Innovation Award, Vallabhapurapu, from the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said he is excited and driven to be a part of the evolution of research and knowledge production taking place at Unisa. “The Research and Innovation portfolio and our Dean of CSET provide us with great support. And while awards are always good, it is the spirit of the research and innovation portfolio that is very encouraging and supportive for scholars.

Superconducting generators will provide offshore wind power plants with higher performance at lower costs

“Adding to that is the camaraderie amongst all academic and administrative staff in our college who work like a family, sharing the ups and downs of both their academic and personal lives. I must say that the administrative staff really help and support academics and our activities, ignoring the just work-to-rule kind of attitude. This culture at Unisa is simply great, possible through Unisa’s great leadership, and we should strive for all departments to have this work ethic if we are to become the hub of scientific knowledge we aim for.”

Superconductivity technology relevant for Africa

It is this level of support for research that motivated Vallabhapurapu to assume responsibility of establishing a research platform in South Africa for superconductivity technology. Explaining the relevancy of a chair in this field, he said the chair will focus on enhancing the research platform of superconductivity science and technology for the development of energy-saving technologies. Superconductivity technology, he added, offers great energy savings, in hundreds of billions of dollars, and minimisation of energy wastage as compared to any technology, which is why first-world countries are pushing it.

A NASA G2 flywheel

“Current renewable energy technologies have not grown to an optimum level where they can replace the traditional ones. At the same time the traditional ones are also not producing enough energy. This produces a strategic gap between production and utilisation. The demand for energy is ever increasing and production is not able to meet the demand. In these circumstances of ‘energy crisis’ worldwide and in particular South Africa, energy storage and energy-saving strategies are gaining in significance.”

The proposed research programme for the Chair in Superconductivity Technology has applied research activity, and fundamental research activity to support the former. “The applied activities will include an African superconducting cable and a superconducting flywheel for energy storage … It is important to note that understanding the fundamental properties is very important while we tailor the superconducting materials that will be used in the these mentioned applications. We will research fundamental properties of high temperature superconductivity in both existing and newly discovered superconductors, and superconductivity in novel systems.

“We will also be developing as bi-products of this primary focus, areas related to superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) based medical imaging and advanced electronics, as well.”

SA riding the superconductivity wave

The Unisa Research Chair in Superconductivity Technology forms part of the Unisa Research Chairs Programme. The programme, which comes at an opportune time in Unisa’s140 year history, is designed to help the university achieve research excellence in different disciplines and will play an important role in building on Unisa’s growing reputation as a key player in research and innovation in South Africa and internationally.

A superconducting power cable uses high-temperature superconductive materials for its conductor that reach superconductivity at the liquid nitrogen temperature of minus 196°C, enabling conduction of large electric currents on a small-sized conductor with a low loss, to realise a cable that is lightweight, compact and low loss when compared with the power cables currently used

Another main aim of the chair, said Vallabhapurapu, is to make South Africa ready by 2020 to ride the superconductivity wave. He believes that establishing this research platform is very important and urgent because this will help SA to get ready to embrace superconductivity technology by 2020 when this technology penetrates energy markets.

“It will be a unique platform in the country, which will help develop skills and build capacity in this area. Thus, Unisa will be a hub of activity for superconductivity niche-area research in the country, building a network with other universities that will integrate related technologies into superconductivity research. We not only want to build capacity in this highly advanced area, but, by 2020, South Africa should be one of the key international players in this technology, and by then, Unisa will be the vehicle equipped with expertise, manpower, equipment and international reputation to ride this wave.”

Vallabhapurapu, together with Professor Wei Hua Ho from CSET, filed Unisa’s first successful patent on a method and apparatus for treating a fluid. In addition to his water research, other work includes fundamental studies using electron spin resonance and low field microwave absorption in nanomagnetic systems, spintronic and novel magnetic systems and superconducting materials, materials for fuel cells, nano-Josephson-junctions for quantum bit applications in quantum computing, novel memory systems, and nano and micro lithography using atomic force microscopy and lasers.

Additional reading

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Unisa on its way to receiving research distinction

New chairs to build on Unisa’s investment in research

Nano chair to further Unisa’s academic and scientific synergies

Excitement as Unisa files its first patent

* Written by Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester

“For me, Unisa is the best institute to work at because its academic environment is conducive for excellent research to take place and I feel really fortunate to work at this university,” said Professor Zenghui Wangfrom the Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering in the School of Engineering.

Prof Zenghui Wang (Electrical and Mining Engineering: CSET) is one of the recipients of the 2012 Principal’s Award for Excellence in Research. He will receive his award during this year’s Research and Innovation Week (11–15 March)

He was speaking to eNews during this year’s Research and Innovation Week (11–15 March), as he is one of the recipients of the 2012 Principal’s Award for Excellence in Research. He will receive this award at a gala dinner that acknowledges the university’s outstanding and innovative researchers who contribute to the development of South Africa and the continent. The main objectives are for Unisa to expand research collaborations with research-intensive organisations and BRICS countries and also to provide a platform for institutions to display their innovation initiatives. The week is designed to encourage Unisa staff to enhance their ability and effectiveness to engage in research.

Investing in innovative research

With Unisa commemorating 140 years of shaping futures in Africa, the university continues to transform, looking to its future where it aims to be a leading global centre of excellence in science and research. Attracting a high calibre of academic staff and investing in innovative research is vital to this goal. Having graduated in 2006 with a doctoral degree in Control Theory and Control Engineering at Nankai University, China, Wang is one such academic and so is his research. He obtained a Y2 NRF Rating in 2012 and has over 40 peer-reviewed journal and conference publications. His research interest is in the fields of evolutionary optimisation, adaptive control and predictive control for nonlinear systems, cryptography, and complex network.

In 2012, Wang conducted research on the design and development of intelligent systems. Intelligent systems research specialises in the theory and application of systems that perceive, reason, learn, and act intelligently. The aim of this research, said Wang, is to create intelligent systems to make life and the work environment more comfortable than it currently is.

“In this, there are several research topics. One of these is automatic control. Automatic control is everywhere. It is a truly ubiquitous technology without which modern life will not be possible. In general, it includes two parts – control theory and control engineering. Control theory is an interdisciplinary branch of engineering and mathematics that deals with the behaviour of dynamical systems. The usual objective of control theory is to calculate solutions for the proper corrective action from the controller that result in system stability, that is, the system will hold the set point and not oscillate around it.

Control engineering or control systems engineering is the engineering discipline that applies control theory to design systems with predictable behaviours. Multidisciplinary in nature, control systems engineering activities focus on implementation of control systems mainly derived by mathematical modeling of systems of a diverse range. Moreover, there is a concept  called ‘intelligent control’ which also belongs to control theory and control engineering and is a class of control techniques that use various artificial intelligent computing approaches like neural networks, fuzzy logic, machine learning, evolutionary computation and genetic algorithms.”

Research benefits for South Africa and Africa

Explaining why this sort of research is important for South Africa and the continent, Wang said this research is not only theoretic research but it is also related to engineering applications such as robotics, aerospace flight, washing machines, air-conditioners, and so on. “Some research results such as ultrasonic measurement, control algorithms, and optimisation algorithms can be applied in the areas of industry, which can benefit the economy of South Africa.

This year Wang embarks on another two innovative research projects on intelligent systems. Currently in the planning phase, the one project is about the design and development of intelligent robots and the second project is on the design and development of the autonomous navigation vehicles. “This research is necessary for comfortable life in the future. Intelligent robots can be used to do research about artificial intelligence, control theory and control engineering and signal processing. The relevant research can make the robots be more ‘smart’ to serve human beings.  The research about autonomous navigation vehicles can make the drivers safer and more comfortable during the journey.”

On his award, Wang said it is a great honour to be awarded the Principal’s prize and it propels him to work harder to achieve more research outputs.

*Written by Rivonia Naidu-Hoffmeester

According to Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, Vice-Principal of Research and Innovation, the Unisa Research Chairs Programme reflects the commitment of Unisa’s leadership to research excellence. “The programme is designed to help our university to achieve research excellence in different disciplines and will play an important role in building on Unisa’s growing reputation as a key player in research and innovation in South Africa and internationally.”

Chair incumbents are professors Moritz Braun in High Performance Scientific Computing, Malose Mphahlele in Ecotoxicology Research, Nicholas Odhiambo in Macroeconomic Policy Analysis, Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu in Superconductivity Energy Technology, and Themba Dube in Topology Research.

While funding for the chairs over the three years will cost more than R26 million, this will be offset by the average outputs from each chair, which are expected to be two master’s and two doctoral graduations from the second year, as well as three publications annually from the first year. In that sense, the monetary benefits, including the social impact of these chairs, outweigh the financial investment by Unisa through this programme.

Phakeng concludes: “The chairholders are working in areas of strategic importance to South Africa and so the investments that we are making as part of this programme will contribute towards South Africa’s depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Unisa’s national and international competitiveness, and help train the next generation of highly skilled people.”

Professor Themba Dube – Topology Research

Prof. Themba Dube is pictured with his CSET colleagues, Prof. Augustin Batubenge, Prof Inderasan Naidoo, Dr Gugu Moche, and Prof. Seithuti Moshoka

Professor Themba Dube says that the research he plans to do is in pointfree topology. “It has recently come to light that much deeper probing in this area of mathematics is best facilitated by means of the use of category theory. It is for that reason that the focus of the Topology Chair will be made sharper by incorporating category theory.

To bring this to fruition, Dube has recruited a newly appointed member of the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Dr James Gray, to be part of the Topology Research Group, as his area of expertise is category theory. “Whereas earlier publications of myself and my main collaborator, Professor Inderasan Naidoo, have been more on the traditional side of pointfree topology, our recent papers have a great deal of categorical leanings, which has increased the readership.” This, he added, was attested to by the number of requests for their recent papers, and citations, albeit to a minor extent, by the more categorically inclined authors. “Thus, sharpening the focus the way I propose to do will certainly broaden collaboration with eminent international scholars.”

Dube said that the other focus he was directing the research towards is that of what are called algebraic frames. This is a burgeoning field driven most prolifically by Professor Jorge Martinez of the University of Florida, USA, and, according to Dube, the leader in this area. “He is going to visit our research group in September, the College of Science, Engineering and Technology Innovation Month. In recognition of my work in related areas, Martinez has for two consecutive years invited me as a speaker to conferences with a focus in algebraic frames. The first was in 2011 at Kansas University, and the second in 2012 at Florida University.”

Dube’s PhD student, Oghenetega Ighedo, is also doing her PhD in a topic that expounds certain aspects of algebraic frames.

Professor Nicholas Odhiambo – Macroeconomic Policy Analysis

Prof. Nicholas Odhiambo, Macroeconomic Policy Analysis

Professor Nicholas Odhiambo is a seasoned researcher with an impeccable academic record. In 2010, he became the first Unisa economics professor to obtain an NRF rating (C2). He says that the Research Chair of Macroeconomic Policy will evaluate some of the macroeconomic policies that have a bearing on socioeconomic issues, such as economic growth, employment, and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa, with the aim of providing customised and tailor-made policy advice to individual countries.

“It is anticipated that the empirical findings emanating from this programme will provide timely warning signals and corrective policy measures to individual countries on a case-by-case basis,” says Odhiambo. “The research programme is expected to be multifaceted and interdisciplinary in nature. It will incorporate a number of research activities. And these will, invariably, differ from country to country, and over time.”

Odhiambo adds that, given the complexity of macroeconomic policy research in general, the rigour and the scope of research conducted by the chair will be determined largely by the scholarly contribution of the research, as well as the socioeconomic dynamics of the studied countries. “In other words, eh says, “the research conducted by the chair will not only be scientifically rigorous, but will also be policy-relevant to sub-Saharan Africa countries.” He also believes that, considering the size of the research programme, the number of projects undertaken in a particular year will depend largely on the number of postgraduate students, as well as the postdoctoral fellows attracted to the programme. “The findings of this research will not only serve as early warning signals to countries included in this study; but they could also provide timely corrective options to other African countries that are facing similar socioeconomic challenges,” he concluded.

Professor Moritz Braun – High Performance Scientific Computing

Prof. Moritz Braun, High Performance Scientific Computing

According to Professor Moritz Braun, in the Research Chair of High Performance Scientific Computing, the postdoctoral fellow, as well as the PhD and MSc students, will undertake research activities mainly in, although not limited to, two topics in the broad domain of computational physics.

The first of these is the calculation of the properties of atoms, molecules and solids using the method of finite elements in three dimensions. Braun says that the method of finite elements was originally developed by applied mathematicians and engineers, but has during the last 25 years also been used by theoretical physicists to solve the Schroedinger equation in one, two and three dimensions. “Both the Hartree Fock and density functional formalisms will be used. The resulting eigenvalue problems are of very large order and require the use of the Unisa High Performance Cluster.”

The second topic is the simulation of seismic processes making use of parallel processing to estimate parameters describing the structure of the substrate or the seafloor.

Braun adds that the research chair will also provide some training to interested researchers on the tools and methods required for high performance computing (HPC). In addition, the research chair will be available to assist researchers in other quantitative disciplines with evaluating their research questions as to whether HPC can be used for them.

Professor Vijaya Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu – Superconductivity Technology

Prof. Vijaya Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu, Superconductivity Technology

Current renewable energy technologies have not grown to an optimum level where they can replace the traditional ones, says Professor Srinivasu Vallabhapurapu. “At the same time the traditional ones are also not producing enough energy. This produces a strategic gap between production and utilisation. The demand for energy is ever increasing and production is not able to meet the demand. In these circumstances of ‘energy crisis’ worldwide and in particular South Africa, energy storage and energy-saving strategies are gaining in significance.” He says that superconductivity technology offers great energy savings, in hundreds of billions of dollars, and minimisation of energy wastage as compared to any technology, which is why first-world countries are pushing this technology.

Vallabhapurapu points out that superconductivity technology research is one of the focus areas of Unisa. “It will be a unique platform in the country, which will help develop skills and build capacity in this area. Thus, Unisa will be a hub of activity for superconductivity niche-area research in the country, building a network with other universities that will integrate related technologies into superconductivity research.” He believes that establishing this research platform is very important and urgent because this will help SA to get ready to embrace superconductivity technology by 2020 when this technology penetrates energy markets. “We not only want to build capacity in this highly advanced area, but, by 2020, SA should be one of the key international players in this technology.”

There are some exciting technologies and by-products in store in this field, says Vallabhapurapu. “This chair shall focus on establishing a research platform of superconductivity science and technology for the development of energy-saving technologies like ‘superconducting cable’ and energy storage technology such as ‘superconducting flywheel’. We will also be developing, as by-products of this primary focus, areas related to SQUID-based ‘medical imaging’ and ‘advanced electronics’, as well. The idea, he says, is to make South Africa ready by 2020 to ride the ‘superconductivity wave’. “By then, Unisa will be the vehicle equipped with expertise, manpower, equipment and international reputation to ride this wave.”

Applied activities of the proposed research programme are an African superconducting cable for lossless power transmission and a superconducting flywheel for energy storage. In addition, Vallabhapurapu says that understanding fundamental properties is very important while tailoring the superconducting materials that will be used in the above-mentioned applications. “We will research fundamental properties of high temperature superconductivity in both existing and newly discovered superconductors, and superconductivity in novel systems.”

Come and find out more about these exciting new research chairs during Research and Innovation Week from 11 to 15 March 2013.

*Compiled by Sharon Farrell

In order to reach a wider community of learners who are exposed to these FUN activities of robotics, I-SET trained 30 UNISA students in robotics in 2012.  These students, now known as our I-SET buddies, are ready to mentor and coach learners (and educators) in robotics.  The morning was spent considering the 2013 I-SET plans forI-SET buddy deployment and Science Exhibition participation.  Thiswas followed by a session in which the buddies and the robots were equally challenged.

Several schools and science centres accepted the invitation for an afternoon information sharing session.  Although many wish to start robotics in their schools or at their science centres, the question of ‘Where does one start?” is often posed!  The hour provided space for such discussions and exchange of contact details.  I-SET watches for community growth!

I-SET buddies, educators from the schools and leaders from the science centres were inspired during the viewing of the I-SET video featuring the I-SET teams at the 2012 FIRST Lego League FLL North Gauteng regional competition hosted by UNISA I-SET in October 2012.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcP3Hou9Ss).

For more details and all the photos of the Let’s Go I-SET Robotics event:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.436638896412121.98418.266739783402034&type=3

Date:  13 – 15 March 2013
Venue:  Unisa, Muckleneuk campus, Pretoria, South Africa

Visit the website on www.unisa.ac.za/csetbrics

Prof Buckley
Director of the School of Computing

From diploma to doctorate, and all through part-time study – this is the inspiring example that Prof Sheryl Buckley is setting for students at the School of Computing in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET).

Prof Buckley is the new Director of the school of Computing. She aims to contribute to the attainment of Unisa’s strategic and operational goals by being flexible and by looking at creative and innovative ways to maintain peak performance of academics. The ideal is to help academics balance the many demands of work and their personal life while maintaining productivity.

“My previous management positions armed me with sufficient tools to become a good implementer of the vision and mission of the institutions I worked for, as well as an innovator through collaboration,” Prof Buckley says.

Solid track record leads to Unisa

Before joining Unisa in August 2011, she was deputy head of the Business Information Technology department at the University of Johannesburg. Prior to that, she headed up the Business division of a technical college, and also previously worked in the high school environment.

While working full time, she improved her qualifications from diploma to doctorate, always studying part time.

Not surprisingly, she has a healthy respect for learning and knowledge sharing. “From an early stage I realised that in a knowledge society it is only through knowledge sharing that current complex challenges can be confronted,” Prof Buckley says.

“Furthermore, the only way to get through transition is to focus on the future,” she says, adding that she is a transparent manager who has a strong work ethic. “I like to empathise when people feel unsettled. Here, communication plays an important role.  Anything worth doing should be challenging and will require hard work. There are no shortcuts and if you want to add value, you have to work for it.”

Working hard is second nature to Prof Buckley but she also knows how to relax. When not working at Unisa, Prof Buckley enjoys walking, dancing and going to the gym to keep fit.

Innovation and efficiency

Her immediate plans for the School of Computing include looking at how the school could be optimally structured in order to be managed better and in harmony with all the key performance areas (KPAs).  This is necessary owing to the sheer size of the school, she says.

“I would further like to focus my attention on tuition-related matters in addition to the other duties and responsibilities that I have,” says Prof Buckley. “This school is supposed to be the forerunner in an Open Distance Learning institution like Unisa. It has to become the centre of innovation in teaching, as well as in learning, and be driven by a research culture.”

When asked about her thoughts on the college’s move to Florida, the softly spoken Prof Buckley says this will finally see all the academics housed on the same campus.

“I am aware that moving the rest of the school to Florida has its own challenges and can have a direct effect on some personnel.  It is a necessary move which will lead to a better functioning of the school.”

She says the school is going to great lengths to ensure the relocation goes smoothly, with minimum inconvenience.  “Already transport plans have been drawn up.  I will be in constant communication with those affected and will try my best to ensure that I assist them in any humanly possible way.”

Commenting on her appointment as Director of the school, she says: “I feel very positive in my new position and I am looking forward to being part of the innovative Unisa team in tuition to take the university to new heights in the provision of the most effective distance tuition.  We owe it to our students who choose Unisa as the place to receive the ’key to unlock their future’.”

Professor Malose Mphahlele

Professor Malose Mphahlele was recently appointed member of the prestigious Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). He is an NRF C2-rated researcher who chairs the Department of Chemistry. The main thrust of his research is directed towards the synthesis, structural property and biological activity studies of heteroatom-containing compounds such as polysubstituted and annulated quinolones and their quinoline derivatives, and benzoheterazepine analogues.

Dr Mokhotjwa Dhlamini

Dr Mokhotjwa Dhlamini of the Department of Physics has been confirmed as the latest member of the prestigious South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). His research interest are condensed matter physics, materials science, surface science, and Dr Dhlamini is excited about his appointment to SAYAS. “This is the best feeling ever. I am extremely honoured and blessed to be awarded the 2012 SAYAS membership and I am looking forward to the challenge.

Prof Ruth de Villiers receiving the Chancellor’s Award.

It is with mixed emotions that CSET is saying goodbye to Professor Ruth de Villiers who has been with the College for more than 26 years.

When asked about her highlights of her career at Unisa, Prof de Villiers said “ It has been a great privilege to be a member of the School of Computing.  I owe my academic growth and development in research to the supportive environment and enabling opportunities there.

And what a wonderful group of colleagues and friends!  Over the years, we have experienced many losses of members of staff, some of them being leaders and and it has shaken us…  But SoC is  a resilient school, it has always bounced back and, as new appointments are made, we gain new colleagues and new leaders who are also special people.  There’s a large group working on the Florida Campus, including many of our new staff.  We also have a number of young staff, junior lecturers,  and are ‘growing our own timber’.  Challenges lie ahead with the Big Move, but I look forward with anticipation to see where the School is in five years time.”

Some of Ruth’s particular highlights:

• Being part of CSET’s delegation that visited Ethiopia last year – an eye-opener, and an opportunity to know CSET colleagues better.
• The experience of attending international conferences and seeing parts of the world.  I try to take a couple of days leave, if possible, and do some enriching sightseeing at my own expense.
• Authoring stories for Niche and doing photography.
• It was an honor when I was appointed as one of UNISA’s first group of Research Professors.

• When asked about challenges, the energetic Prof De Villiers said “I love doing post-graduate supervision, it is rewarding!  One of the main challenges there is that some of the students are third-language English speakers, who struggle with academic writing.  So a supervisor works on two fronts – firstly, guiding and supporting on academic matters of structure, research design and content.  Secondly, helping them to write it in a way that communicates optimally what they want to say.  I wish that UNISA offered additional support in this regard.

Then there are the challenges of frustrations that crop up, often due to circumstances outside our control.  I have found that a good way of dealing with these is a sense of humour!  And, finally, there are often not enough hours in the day.”

Prof De Villiers has a passion for working with young people.  Perhaps it is because of having had four children of her own and a house that she says is always full of their friends.  Prof Ruth De Villiers added “I was privileged to lead mentoring in the School for eight years – mentoring of new staff – and a particular involvement with the young academic assistants who passed through our passages.  I came to know many of them as friends and have watched their academic growth.  Many of them became full time academics or researchers – either at UNISA or elsewhere.  In 2011, there was another new venture – the appointment of 16 junior lecturer on contract.  My advice to young academics – and to all staff- would be ‘Grab opportunities, especially the unplanned ones, and give it all you’ve got !

When asked about what she will be doing now that she is retiring?

“I will probably be taking a part-time contract in the School of Computing, so hope to stay in touch.  But I look forward to having some more time for family, hobbies and the garden.  As I mentioned, we have four children and now there are four grandchildren.  We seem to be a bunch of academics (!!); my husband was a Prof in architecture at TUKS until his retirement a few years ago, and this year, a son and daughter started work as UNISA academics.  So I am leaving two parts of me behind!  I also need really a holiday, and we are hoping to have some breakaways in 2013”.

CSET will definitely miss Prof Ruth de Villiers and according to one of her colleague from the School of Computing , Prof Judy van Biljon  “ Ruth has been one of the most energetic and hard-working members of the School. She often worked pre-hours, office hours and after hours, in office, from home and even on holiday. And it is was not only quantity, but work of very high quality. We are going to miss Ruth as a permanent staff member, but we are planning to appoint her on contract in a more limited capacity to help with supervision and mentoring in the School.”

As Professor Gugu Moche , Executive Dean of CSET noted, ‘It has  always been pleasure to interact with Professor De Villiers and we are proud as a College to have engaged with her on many issues. We respect her for having contributed significantly to the Unisa School of Computing over a considerable length of time and on behalf of CSET management we wish her all the best in this new chapter of her life.”

On behalf of Niche Online, we wish to thank her for all her contributions and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours!