The critical issue of food security in Africa was one of the main topics of discussion at the Joint International Conference on Science and Technology for Development in Africa.

The three-day conference ends today and is a partnership between CPUT, Bondo University College in Kenya and the University of Ilorin in Nigeria.

University of Ilorin’s Prof Kolawole Ayorinde presented a paper on the dire situation of food shortages in Africa and how technology and science needs to step up to save the continent.

Prof Ayorinde urged the academics at the conference to make sure the groundbreaking ideas they develop within their various institutions make it to poor farmers.

He also painted a hopeful picture of a continent which was capable of feeding itself but still relies on around 30 billion dollars worth of imported food per year.

“That Africa depends on others to feed her is not only sad but unfortunate,” he says.

“In summary, we have a large workforce, imminent scientists and cultivatable land so why do we need assistance?”

Prof Ayorinde concluded by pointing out that so called “Asian Tiger” countries like Japan and Vietnam were successfully merging science and technology to feed their own people.

“The reality is that when people do not have food they do one of three things- revolt, migrate or die and of course none of these are situations we want,” he told delegates.

By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
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This week researchers from across the continent will descend on CPUT for the Joint International Conference on Science and Technology for Development in Africa.

The conference, which gets underway tomorrow, is being organised by CPUT, Bondo University College in Kenya and the University of Ilorin in Nigeria. 

The conference will explore technological innovations, environmental issues as well as agriculture and food security.  Researchers will also report on studies related to policy, governance, education and human capacity matters in Africa.

Head of the local organising committee, Prof Michael McPherson says the conference will provide researchers with an opportunity to network and share their research activities.

Prof McPherson says it is also a perfect opportunity for CPUT to establish research collaborations with their counterparts in other African countries in order to meet the university’s vision of impacting on the rest of the continent.

The conference will end on Thursday.

By Candes Keating

Written by CPUT News
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Academics from leading African universities gathered this week at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) to attend the 2nd U6 International Conference, a consortium of six African universities. The conference’s theme is “Research and Innovation for sustainable development”.

During his opening address, CPUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Prins Nevhutalu said as a university that aims to be at the heart of technology and innovation in Africa, “we cannot successfully achieve that if we do not immerse ourselves in the ambitions and aspirations of Africa as a whole”.

“You all need no convincing of the potential of Africa and African Institutions – and particularly African intelligentsia, which is well represented here. It is this human capital, not just the rich deposits of Gold in Ghana or Platinum in South Africa or oil in Nigeria, or wildlife resources across the African plains, or any of the other natural resources that have made Africa the go-to continent, that will light a fire to propel this giant called Africa forward. It is this human force that has to be used for the good of Africa rather than a force of destruction that we humans have often become to ourselves and our finite environment,” Dr Nevhutalu said.

Professor Is-haq Oloyede, former Vice-chancellor of the University of Ilorin in Nigeria, said the idea of the U6 came as a result of the need for collaboration between African universities. He said when CPUT signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Ilorin, they got to know about other relationships that the two have with other African universities ultimately realising that “your friend’s friend is your friend”. The Vice-Chancellors of these universities finally met to form the U6 from the bilateral relationships they had in February 2012.

Keynote speaker Professor Philip Lloyd spoke about renewable energy and sustainable development. He mentioned that society is faced with the challenge of balancing the social, economic and environmental challenges of sustainability and development. He said while energy is a source of wealth creation, the perceived costs to the environment is overstated. He said there was a gap between what science has discovered and what society stresses about. The conference covered a variety of subjects including Agriculture and Food Sciences, Environmental Issues, Technology Innovation and Energy Efficiency, and Business and Education.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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An Architectural Technology alumna is shining bright in Belgium where she has received a prize for her Master’s thesis.

Chioma Obasi was recently announced as the winner in the international student category of the Thesis Award 2021 from Hasselt University (UHasselt).

She said the prize is awarded to the best development-relevant Master’s thesis.

Her thesis is titled: Activating Landscapes Through Memory: A Journey Through Fragments of Cape Town’s Strand Street Quarries. Obasi said she had not expected to win the prize.

“But afterwards, I felt very happy and honoured because receiving recognition for all the hard work put into my research was humbling. My thesis touches on a sensitive area in South African history, so I was happy to share the topic internationally and for it to be recognised and appreciated.”

Obasi first went to UHasselt as a CPUT exchange student and, in 2020, was awarded a Master Mind scholarship to study towards a one-year International Master in Interior Architecture (Adaptive Re-use) at UHasselt.

She said her time at CPUT laid a firm foundation for her postgraduate studies.

“When I first started studying architecture, I don’t think I fully understood what it meant or entailed. However, the lecturers at CPUT were amazing and quite patient with the students, taking their time and explaining theories and concepts to us. And I believe that this laid an excellent foundation for me. Unlike most traditional universities, CPUT focuses on both design and technology (with more emphasis on technology), which creates a good balance when designing architecture,” she said.

“Though my Master’s was mostly design-based, I could make calculated and informed decisions with my background in technology. Also, the teaching method of working in groups and asking my fellow students for advice on my work created an atmosphere that prepared me to work cohesively with the people I met while abroad.”

She has now set her sights on enhancing her skills and preparing for a professional career.

“I might be looking into a doctorate to do some research that contributes to developmental and social architecture issues. However, I would also like to find a firm where I will learn and contribute, especially towards developmental projects. Many students come up with or have many ideas to give, yet they only stay on paper, and we don’t always get the opportunity to execute them. But I would like to bring my ideas to reality.”

Obasi, born in Nigeria and moved to South Africa at age five, said life in Belgium over the past few years has been bitter-sweet.

“With the pandemic on the one hand and missing home on the other, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to learn to adjust to a new way of life, studying, living, etc. However, I have learned so much and grown a lot as a person, both personally and professionally. I have had the opportunity to experience new cultures and meet diverse groups of people, so the journey has been quite interesting.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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