Welcome to the Department of Horticulture
your partner in horticultural research and education
|
HortSci shows the ISHS board the lay of the land
Wiehann Steyn, Michael Schmeisser (both from HortSci Dept.) and Mike North (Horticulture and Fynbos Division, ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij) had the privilege of accompanying Board members of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) on an one-day excursion of the Boland. This originated from the decision of the ISHS board to have their annual general meeting in Stellenbosch and their desire for a short tour of the fruit-growing regions of the Western Cape. Board members either have never visited South Africa before or were coming back for more - a testimony to the beauty of the Winelands and surrounds.
After an early start on the morning of Saturday 3 October, the group travelled over Sir Lowry’s and Viljoen’s pass to Vyeboom, where we visited a highly productive (~140 ton/ha) Cripps’ Pink orchard. From Vyeboom the journey continued to the High Noon Farm in the Kaaimansgat valley in Villierdorp, where board members saw new generation plantings of apple and pears. Board members were impressed with the intensity of production practises, the high technological input that Western Cape fruit farmers have to make, the highly integrated nature of the industry and the expertise of Dr Mias Pretorius, manager of Two-a-Day technical department and former HortSci graduate. One board member did wonder though, why the cooperative isn’t called Five-a-Day. After driving over the scenic Franschhoek mountain pass and stopping regularly for photographs, we lunched at Fairview’s Goatshed. With a slight detour through the Beryl Black wine tasting room –one board member stated that not working on wine doesn’t exclude horticulturist from its pleasures – we travelled on to Paarl, where John Scrimgeour of the Cape Olive Trust led us through a table olive and olive oil tasting, while answering questions on the intricacies of fruit farming in South Africa. As evident from their email messages, board members thoroughly enjoyed their visit to South Africa and were greatly impressed with Western Cape environs, hospitality and horticulture.
Very flattering portraits of Wiehann Steyn, Michael Schmeisser and Mike North (South) drawn on a napkin by Prof Jules Janick.
Click pictureto enlarge
Exciting News - A newcommer in the Horticulture Department ....
Professor Umezuruike Linus Opara, PhD CEng
Professor Opara has joined Stellenbosch University as Research Professor and South African Research Chair in Postharvest Technology under the DST’s South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI). The Chair is hosted by the Department of Horticultural Science in the Faculty of AgriSciences. Before coming to South Africa, Professor Opara spent just over 6 years at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, where he developed research and teaching programs in postharvest technology and held various management and administrative positions including Director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Assistant Dean for Postgraduate Studies & Research. In recognition of his research contributions and output, he received the university’s 2006 Outstanding Researcher Award.
His research and academic career started in New Zealand where he worked briefly as Postharvest Engineer in a research and development company prior to joining the Agricultural Engineering Department at Massey University in Palmerston North as lecturer in postharvest engineering. He was a founding member of the Centre for Postharvest & Refrigeration Research at the university, and as Program Leader of the Bioproducts Quality Research Group in the Institute of Technology & Engineering, he pioneered the application of computational fluid dynamics modelling as a tool for improved understanding and prediction of airflow and cooling inside ventilated packaging.
At Massey University, Professor Opara held a range of academic management positions including Program Director of Engineering Technology, Program Leader for Bachelor of Applied Science (Personal Program), and Program Leader for Agricultural Engineering. He also served in various senior university policy bodies including the University Governing Council, Academic (Professorial) Board, Academic Committee, Inter-Ethnic Research Committee, and the Search Committee for the appointment of new Vice-Chancellor. According to Professor Opara, part of the highlights of his time at Massey University was the recruitment, training and mentoring of postgraduate students, some of who have returned back to their countries in research positions while others are working in various research capacities in Australasia.
Professor Opara brings with him an extensive experience in industry-focused research and capacity building. He has considerable international experience in formulating and implementing postharvest technology training projects in the South Pacific, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and has worked as postharvest technology expert and consultant for the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation, World Bank, and New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
A chartered engineer, Prof Opara is an active member of several international scientific societies such as the Institution of Agricultural Engineers, European Association of Agricultural Engineers, American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers, International Society for Horticultural Science, Asian Association for Agricultural Engineering where he served as Vice-President (Postharvest & Biotechnology), and Board Member of the International Commission on Agricultural Engineering (CIGR) Section VI (Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering). He is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Postharvest Technology & Innovation, and formerly Associate Editor of The CIGR Journal of Scientific Research & Development.
According to Professor Opara, a critical role of the Chair is to contribute to the development of knowledge and human capacity to support and enhance the competitiveness of the South African agricultural and horticultural industries. He is looking forward to the opportunities of collaborating and cooperating with the various stakeholders in this challenging but exceedingly exciting endeavour.
MORE NEWS |
HortSci chosen to host International Horticultural Symposium ...
|
 |
Prof Midgley and Hugh Campbell presented a bid... to host the 10 th International Symposium on Canopy Systems, Rootstocks and Environmental Physiology at Stellenbosch University
.... click here for more info >>> |
Postdocotral fellow appointed...
|
 |
|
Horticulture Department performing at their best ... Combined Congress in Stellenbosch
|
 |
At the recent Combined Congress, 19-22 January 2009, held in Stellenbosch three students in the Department of Horticulture at the Stellenbosch University received awards for there presentations.
. ... click here for more info >>> |
Yep, that's me
|
|
|
SASHS and ISHS hold combined Council meetings to strengthen existing relationships and forge new linkages.
The Southern African Society for Horticultural Science has close ties with the Council of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and regularly makes
contributions to ISHS Council meetings on matters close to all Southern African Horticulturists hearts. On 2 October 2009, the SASHS and ISHS Councils held a combined meeting to discuss a number of issues pertinent to horticulture in Southern Africa. After introductions all round, it was noted that there was a base of expertise and experience in the meeting room but all having one common outlook – a passion for Horticulture!
The ISHS Council looked forward to interacting with African and South African Horticulturists in the future especially with good attendance of delegates at the recently held 1st All Africa Horticulture Congress in Kenya. One of the highlights of the meeting was the fact that the ISHS was eager to support the 2nd Congress which is due to be held in South Africa in 2011!
Click on Image to enlarge and see individuals names
OPEN DAY at the University of Stellenbosch
5 August
2009
Another smooth and successful OPEN DAY. The Horticulture stall was vistited by numerous scholars and parents alike. Manning and femaling the stall were lecturers and post-graduate students ... revealing the exciting world of Horticulture to the masses.
The take-home message of the day was:
Horticulture
Understanding so many different crops = so many different job opportunities
To get an appreciation of the stand, visit our photo-gallery >>>
Appointment of Dr Marius Huysamer as associate professor
Dr Marius Huysamer, currently the managing director of Berghoff Fynbos in Porterville, was appointed as an associate professor extraordinary at the Department of  Horticulture (HortSci) at the University of Stellenbosch during 2008, thereby continuing a relationship that began in 1992 when Marius joined HortSci as senior lecturer in postharvest physiology.
Following a period as manager of post harvest technology at the Perishable Products Export Control Board from 1998 to 2001, Prof Huysamer returned to research as principal researcher seconded to the Department of Horticultural Science by the Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust. By appointing Prof Huysamer as associate professor extraordinary, HortSci retains his vast experience on post harvest physiology and technology of fynbos, stone fruit, table grapes, pome fruit and berries to the benefit of further generations of horticulture students, the HortSci postharvest team and the South African fruit industry. Prof Huysamer is also currently the promotor of three PhD staff members of HortSci who, through his continued guidance, are set to become the future flame bearers for the stone, pome and citrus industries.
Appointment of Dr Malcolm Dodd as associate professor
Dr Malcolm Dodd, currently managing the Post-Harvest Innovation Programme, has been appointed as an associate professor extraordinary at the Department of Horticulture at the University of Stellenbosch.
Prof Dodd is a post-harvest specialist and has been active in the field for 27 years. His expertise has taken him all over the globe as a specialist speaker and the university appointment is a direct indication of his eminence within his field of study.
 Asked to comment on his recent appointment; Prof Dodd had the following to say: ‘This exciting development illustrates how all sorts of new opportunities can arise from something new and cutting edge such as the Post Harvest Innovation Programme. By funding projects that required input from several organisations (teams) and which will cut across industries, good synergies can be achieved. In setting up these initiatives I was brought back into contact with many old colleagues, which led to the position being offered to me. This opportunity is an honour for me to accept, as this “farm boy” from Zimbabwe, who trained as a biologist can now spend some time back in academia conducting applied research (which I love doing) and mentoring.’
|
What fruit am I ???
Nope ...that's not me.
Why not try again?
|
|
 |
|
