Univen nGAP Lecturer and PhD candidate receives the Soil Science Society of South Africa award
Ms Siphiwe Lusiba, an nGAP Lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Venda (UNIVEN) received an award from the Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA) for best paper presented in the soil fertility session. She received this award during the 2019 annual Combined Congress that was jointly organised by the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences (SASHS), the South African Society for Crop Production (SASCP), the Southern African Weed Science Society (SAWSS) and the Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA). The congress was held at the University of Free State in Bloemfontein from 21-24 January 2019. The annual Combined Congress was held under the theme “A dynamic environment moulds the future”.
Ms Siphiwe Lusiba being congratulated by Mr Kobus Anderson, a Council member of the Soil Science Society of South Africa (SSSSA).
The award compromised of a framed certificate, a medal and cash prize that were handed to her during the gala dinner on the final evening of the congress. The Department of Soil Science and Plant Production congratulated Ms Lusiba for representing the School of Agriculture, as this is her second award from the Society. She received the best poster award during the 2015 Combined Congress that was held in George.
The congress was attended by more than 300 delegates from public institutions and private sector across the country. Presentations included oral and poster sessions of which hundred and thirty (130) delegates presented oral and ninety-eight (98) delegates presented posters in four concurrent sessions. The Combined Congress was graced by the presence of Prof. Danie Vermeulen, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (UFS), who delivered a keynote address and eminent scholars in the field of horticulture; Prof Umezuruike Opara (SASHS), Soil Science; Prof Rattan Lal (SSSSA), crop production; Mrs Desiree van Heerden (SASCP) and weed science Mr Leonard Oberholzer (SAWSS).
Ms Siphiwe Lusiba (Middle) with the promoter, Prof JJO Odhiambo (Univen) on her left side and co-promoter Prof R Adeleke (University of North West) on the right
The Univen was represented by a delegation of three postgraduate students, one fourth year student, and three staff members. The congress had concurrent sessions that included crop modelling, hort physiology, soil fertility, weeds, crop Agrometeorology, Hort Production/Cultivation Practices, Soil Physics, Hort Indigenous/ Medical Plants/ Crop Protection/ Rural Development, Hort Physiology, Soil Biology, Hort Nutrition / Water Management/ Production Practices/Hort Post-Harvest, Soil Biology, Soil Physics, Soil Genesis/ Classification and Mapping, Hort Indigenous/ Medical Plants and Soil Technology.
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 14 February 2019
