South Africa - Sweden Research and Innovation Week

The aim of the seminar is to present and discuss new crystallization techniques applied to
resource recovery. Researchers from the University of Cape Town and from KTH Royal
Institute of Technology will outline the potential benefits and challenges of antisolvent
precipitation and eutectic freeze crystallization. Industry representatives will be invited to
present current challenges related to resource management, e.g. connected to water
scarsity and critical raw materials. The seminar will end with a panel discussion. The
organizers welcome people from academia, industry and the general public.

Keywords: Crystallization, precipitation, critical raw materials, water.
Venue: University of Cape Town
Contact details: Alison Lewis, Alison.lewis@uct.ac.za, +27 21 650 2701 / +27 21 650 4583 

The purpose of this field trip is to visit the Sterkfontein caves, which is also known as the Cradle of Humankind. In 2000, it was declared as a World Heritage Site. In the light of the SASUF theme 1 (climate change, natural resources and sustainability) we will learn and discuss about the human evolution and its effect on planet Earth.

To attend the Workshops on climate change  (see links below) or the visit to the Sterkfontein cave, please write to Rasheed.Adeleke@nwu.ac.za at the latest by 30th April 2019.

Linked to workshops taking place on May 6 & 7:
https://sasuf.sched.com/event/L7iD/microbial-diversity-and-biotechnology-for-a-sustainable-future
https://sasuf.sched.com/event/OFgD/sustainable-plant-soil-and-arthropod-management-towards-a-safe-productive-and-diverse-biosphere

Departure from Pretoria: 08h00; Cave visit: 09h00 to 13h00, Departure time from Johannesburg: 14h00

Contact information:

Rasheed Adeleke, Associate Professor, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, NWU, South Africa, Rasheed.Adeleke@nwu.ac.za, +27 (0)18 299 2495.

Dr Kappelmeyer of the Helmholtz UFZ, Professor Karin Tonderski and Associate Professor Craig Sheridan will co-lecture the course workshop. The intent is to present the social/environmental/legislative context of water and wastewater in South Africa on day 1 to interested parties.

Keywords: Water, Wastewater, Constructed Wetlands.
Venue: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Contact details: Craig Sheridan, Craig.sheridan@wits.ac.za, +2711 717 7592

2-days workshop, May 6 and 7, at Tshwane University of Technology and NorthWest University, respectively.
Microorganisms are abundant, present everywhere with enormous diversity. They are scientifically most interesting with high potentials to address many global societal challenges. The workshop will gather scientists with common interests in: a) Microbial diversity & evolution, b) N2-fixation & sustainable agriculture, c) Soil microbial indicators for monitoring impact of climate change on crop production, d) Waste- & polluted-water treatment & bioremediation by microorganisms, and e) Chemical & fuel production by microorganisms. The main aim of the workshop is to establish a joint South African – Sweden research and education network to address microbial diversity and biotechnology for a sustainable future.

Keywords: Microorganisms, Diversity and evolution, Sustainable food and agriculture, Bioremediation, Renewable chemicals and fuels.
Venue: 
Tshwane University of Technology Department of Chemistry (May 6)
NorthWest University in Potchefstroom (May 7) - https://sasuf.sched.com/event/OFgD/sustainable-plant-soil-and-arthropod-management-towards-a-safe-productive-and-diverse-biosphere 
Contact details:  
Prof Felix Dapare Dakora, DakoraFD@tut.ac.za, +27 794 873 777 (Tshwane University of Technology)
Prof Rasheed Adeleke, rasheed.adeleke@nwu.ac.za, +27 72 884 3243 (University of Pretoria)
Prof Peter Lindblad peter.lindblad@kemi.uu.se (Uppsala University, Sweden),
Associate Professor Natuschka Lee, natuschka.lee@umu.se (Umeå University, Sweden)

Membrane processes have been recognized as energy-saving and high-selective separation processes and they are therefore key to many industrial production concepts for a sustainable future. Today’s membrane application ranging from drinking and waste water to production processes in the food, biotech and pulp and paper industry. The aim of this satellite activity is to provides Master and PhD students an up to date insight in this technology and share experiences between the South African and Swedish lecturers.

Keywords: Membrane processes, sustainable processes, waste water, drinking water.
Proposed venue: School of Chemistry, East Campus, University of the Witwatersrand
Contact details:  Dr. Heidi Lynn Richards, heidi.richards@wits.ac.za

Africa’s rangelands, crucial for food security and rural livelihoods, face multiple threats under climate change (CC), including desertification, woody encroachment and extreme weather. In this event, jointly led by researchers from SLU and Nelson Mandela University, we explore the thesis that solutions for these challenges might lie in wild grazing systems. Such rangelands may provide enormous opportunities for CC mitigation, through carbon storage, altered fire dynamics, increased albedo and reduced methane production, while achieving equitable social empowerment. In this small workshop, we will bring together scientists from diverse disciplines to explore this thesis and identify knowledge gaps, exploring opportunities for a collaborative synthesis and future research opportunities.

Keywords: grazing systems, food security, rural livelihoods, rewilding, natural resources.
Venue: Nelson Mandela University, Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Summerstrand South Campus, Port Elizabeth
Contact details:  Prof. Dr. Graham Kerley, graham.kerley@mandela.ac.za, 083 633 3088

There is an increased global demand for meat and dairy products based on sustainable agricultural management but also an increasing demand of animal products based on livestock and game under more extensive management. Within these two dimensions, improved environmental concerns and improved competitiveness, call for research and dissemination toward the farming communities, corporate organisations and food producing industries.

We want to present and discuss, research, education and extension activities in it this context with focus on food, dairy, beef and wildlife. We want to encourage collaborations with with animal-, plant- and food scientists for full integration of knowledge within the value chain from feed resources in the field to the consumer products.

Keywords: Food science, Livestock Production, Grass and Forage Science, Wild life management . Venue: Stellenbosch University - Wallenberg Research Centre (STIAS)
Contact details:  Emiliano Raffrenato, emiliano@sun.ac.za, +27 21 808 4749 Cell: +27 84 792 4230


Program
08:00 Coffee and registration
09:00 Introduction and welcome to the seminar (Mårten Hetta and Emiliano Raffrenato)
Short introduction to animal science in Stellenbosch (Dr B. Van Zyl)
Short introduction to animal- and agricultural sciences at SLU (Mårten Hetta)
Short introduction to animal and agricultural sciences at other SA universities (NN)
Presentations of projects and ideas that could develop further into common activities 
Cheese bugs, improved quality for cheese production based on forages (Dr Mårten Hetta)
Lunch (Sandwich and beverage)
Feasibility of a cheese-model implementation in rural South Africa
(Dr Emiliano Raffrenato)
Capacity building in Sustainable agriculture (Prof. K. Dzama)
Fruit by-products as livestock feed and meat preservatives (Dr C. Mapiye)
Production potential and value of insect protein (Dr E. Pieterse)
Afternoon Coffee
Discussion 
How can we increase the food production in Sweden and South Africa in the context of local and global food security?
Wrap up session
Highlights of today and possibilities to sign up for further collaborations 
Pub and social gathering (On your own expense)

The North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, South Africa will be hosting a workshop on Climate change, natural resources and sustainability (Theme 1) during the South Africa-Sweden Research & Innovation Week, 6 - 10 May 2019, South Africa.  The workshop topics address common research topics that could be developed into potential collaborative research between the two countries (see attached programme). Participants from both South Africa and Sweden will be attending the workshop.

Topics of interest under the theme:

· Climate and Water
· Soil and plant health
· Food and hygiene
· Conservation biology and ecology
· Arthropod ecology, evolution and health

Contact:

Rasheed Adeleke, Associate Professor, Unit for Environmental Science and Management, NWU, South Africa, Rasheed.Adeleke@nwu.ac.za, +27 (0)18 299 2495.

Natuschka Lee, Associate Professor, Department of Ecology and environmental Sciences, Umea University, Sweden, natuschka.lee@amu.se, +46 70 375 1213

Peter Lindblad, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Uppsala University, Sweden peter.lindblad@kemi.uu.se 

The workshop will be held at Wits University, East Campus in Richard Ward Building, Room 334. We will start at 09h00 and finish after lunch sometime. The programme looks as follows:
 09h00 Introduction and Welcome
09h15 Legal Framework related to water management in SA
10h30 Tea
11h00 Informal settlements and grey water
11h30 Introduction to constructed wetlands
12h30 Lunch
13h30 URBWAT (SA-SWEDISH-GERMAN collaborative project)
14h15 Viewing of experimental-scale research constructed wetlands
Closing remarks

Keywords: Water, Wastewater, Constructed Wetlands. Venue: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Contact details: Craig Sheridan, Craig.sheridan@wits.ac.za, +2711 717 7592

Microbial biotechnology, potentials and challenges with a focus on photosynthetic microorganisms a presentation within SASUF theme 1 - Climate change, natural resources and sustainability
10:00 Welcome by Prof Don Cowan
10:15 Lecture Prof Peter Lindblad
11:15 Q & A discussion
12:30 Lunch
Venue: Plant science auditorium, University of Pretoria

Contact info:
Olivia Pitt, University of Pretoria
Phone: (012) 420 6929 
E-mail: u20099402@up.ac.za


/Peter Lindblad
Dept Chemistry-Ångström, Uppsala University, Sweden
+46 70 425 0498

Invasive pests and diseases increasingly threaten global agricultural production. Invasive risks include both alien, as well as resident species whose penetration of cropping systems is facilitated through a number of anthropogenic and climaticological factors. The process appears accelerated in recent years. While the species that pose threats may differ across continents, causes show many commonalities and impacts are felt widely from primary production to global trade. Increased preparedness, resilience and rapid response are of paramount importance and require (bio)technological innovations that target the threat as well as a profound understanding the processes required to facilitate adequate responses at local, regional and global levels.

In this seminar we will highlight ongoing Swedish and South African research in the area and explore possible crosslinks in the light of research funding and exchange.

Keywords: Invasive pests, climate change, crop protection, adoption, participation and local knowledge
Venue: University of Western Cape, ARC Nietvoorbij, room Pinotage
Contact details: Prof Bongani Ndimba, bndimba@uwc.ac.za