Pictured (from left to right) after the NMR Machine DVD launch are the three Unisa students based at the CSIR: Itumeleng Setshedi, Cano Ssemakalu & Teresa Faleschini with Dr Martin Myer & Dr Tertia van Eeden
The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machine which will give scientists the ability to determine the structure of organic compounds
Mr Peter Biller from SMM Instruments explains to guests how the machine works
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Unisa’s Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) DVD launched
Unisa’s newly acquired Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) machine is a super-powered analytical machine that will assist Unisa in its task of establishing a culture of research and a network for biotechnology training platforms. Due to the sophistication of this machine, a DVD outlining its functions was created. The DVD, which will be used to train Life and Consumer Sciences students, was launched on 30 September 2009 at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria.
Staff and students who attended the launch event commented that it was a well-constructed DVD that presented the information in an interesting and informative style.
The CSIR, which is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa, together with Unisa, signed a memorandum of agreement in March this year for the joint commissioning of the NMR machine. This agreement is subsequent to a memorandum of agreement that was signed last year by the two organisations to explore collaborative research and biotechnology skills transfer.
Dr Martin Myer, a senior lecturer and research coordinator in the Department of Life Sciences and Consumer Sciences, said the NMR machine, which is worth more than R5 million, offers scientists the ability to determine the structure of organic compounds. It is especially useful in nutrition research as well as drug development, an area that is still in the infant stages in South African research. The acquisition of the NMR allows local scientists to compete properly at an international level.
The CSIR will also assist with the practical training of Unisa's postgraduate biotechnology students. The first group of students have already joined researchers at CSIR Biosciences. Dr Myer said this partnership resonates with Unisa’s set of strategic objectives for 2015 which state, among others, that the institution aims to promote research, increased capacity and productivity aligned with national priorities for knowledge development.
Dr Myer thanked Judy Jooste who compiled the DVD and said her efforts were remarkable. Mrs Elize Symington from the Department of Life Sciences and Consumer Sciences said she was excited to see how multimedia is being used to explain difficult scientific matters. The CoD of the Department of Life Sciences and Consumer Sciences, Dr Tertia van Eeden, said the DVD could be used as a marketing tool to attract prospective students to Unisa. "It exposes the facilities available for Unisa students as well the partnership between Unisa and CSIR, and this is something that other tertiary institutions do not have." |
