Published in George Herald on 2 September
By Journalist Alida de Beer
GEORGE NEWS - Nelson Mandela University George Campus hosted a delegation from the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) on Wednesday 21 August for the renewal of an international agreement between the two institutions.
A ceremonial renewal of the agreement between NMU and the CNRS was hosted by NMU’s George Campus. Among the attendees were Prof Dirk Roux scientist at SANParks, PhD student Nelsiwe Mpapane (being supervised by Prof Roux), and Dr Kaluke Mawila, George Campus principal. Photos: Alida Beer
The CNRS is the largest fundamental science agency in Europe. Its initial five-year cooperation agreement with NMU has had a considerable impact at George Campus and it was renewed for a further five years.
The aim of the partnership is to promote cutting-edge research that contributes to a sustainable future.
Prof Hervé Fritz (right), adjunct professor and acting director of NMU's Sustainability Research Unit at Saasveld, said at the heart of the programme is the International Research Lab Reconciling Ecological and Human Adaptations for a Biosphere-based Sustainability (IRL Rehabs) at George Campus.
"Over the past five years, IRL Rehabs has been instrumental in boosting postgraduate research at the campus, supervising or co-supervising over 30 postgraduate students from South Africa, Zimbabwe and France.
"This collaborative effort has resulted in the publication of over 110 articles and book chapters, greatly enhancing the academic visibility of George Campus and strengthening the sustainability research portfolio of NMU."
There are currently seven PhD and six masters students, mostly from South Africa, but also from France and Zimbabwe. Students are exposed to the international research community through researchers visiting Saasveld, as well as inhouse researchers.
Programmes are also being offered in Zimbabwe and Mozambique and further expansion to West Africa is being planned, which will increase NMU's footprint on the continent.
Some South African students also go to France for specific training and an agreement was being finalised for joint PhD and masters degrees from the University of Lyon and NMU.
A PhD student at George Campus, Nelsiwe Mpapane from Mpumalanga, said collaboration with others in her study is important - not only with communities, but also with colleagues from other countries who have different perspectives and ways of practising conservation. "This interaction has been very beneficial."
Mpapane is a social-ecological scientist at SANParks and her research is focused on inclusivity in conservation in the South African context. "The goal is to let conservation be responsive and shaped by the social, cultural and economic circumstances that Southern African countries face."
Some delegates at the signing, from left: Dr Stef Freitag-Ronaldson (SANParks), Prof Hervé Fritz (NMU), Dr Kaluke Mawila (NMU George Campus principal), Edgar de Koker (NMU), Prof Cristna Biera-Heddi (University of Lyon 1), Dr Stephane Blanch (CNRS), Dr Dominique Joly (CNRS), Dr Palesa Mothapo (NMU), Prof Frederic Fleury (president of Cauyde Bernard Lyon 1 University and Prof Hendrik Lloyd (NMU).