The TRANSECTS is a six-year initiative offering an enhanced education experience in sustainability science and practice for graduate students and practitioners. The recruitment quota for this learning lab was for nine students from Africa. The call was warmly received as at least 30 students applied. The University of Mpumalanga clinched four positions, two went to the University of the Witwatersrand, one to the University of Cape Town, one to the University of Ghana, and one to Rhodes University.
Prior to their departure, the students participated in an online preparatory course from 5 - 8 December and 12 - 15 December. They arrived in Germany on 13 January and will be there until 10 March 2023.
Timane, a PhD in Agriculture student, says being accepted in the multi-disciplinary programme and to experience different perspectives on how people interact with nature as well as the ecosystem and the way they live, is a dream come true. “I’m very keen to understand how solutions can be forged to address escalating environmental challenges as a result of climate change."
Leading the transition to a sustainable future
The TILL that they will be participating in forms part of the broader TRANSdisciplinary Education Collaboration for Transformation in Sustainability (TRANSECTS) programme, which will be implemented over six years in Germany, Canada and South Africa. The TRANSECTS website describes the programme as a recognition that ‘today’s students of sustainability science are tomorrow’s practitioners and scholars, who will lead the transition towards a sustainable future'.
Four UMP students are participating in the TRANSECTS programme in Germany.
Their success depends on their ability to work with others as we face unprecedented local and global challenges associated with climate change.
In May 2022, Dr Sibongile Masuku, a senior lecturer in Culture and Heritage Studies at UMP, joined the team and made sure that the University of Mpumalanga became a fully-fledged member of this programme.
When the call for applications to take part in the programme was broadly circulated within the university, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Professor Moses Mbewe, took it upon himself to recruit a high calibre of students to apply.
“Being part of the TILL is very exciting because it aligns well with my daily value of being a change maker who takes pro-active actions in initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability of the environment in a holistic manner.
I will further gain more knowledge on how best we can improve the world through research and learning opportunities that include the investigation of issues, integrating of knowledge across disciplines, engagement, and collaborations with students from other disciplines and other worlds,” said Mkhonto, a master’s in science student.
Four UMP students are participating in the TRANSECTS programme in Germany.
Transdisciplinary research
Dr Masuku, who coordinates and supports the TRANSECTS programme on behalf of the University of Mpumalanga, said her role is to ensure that they hand over the baton of knowledge, skills and experiences to the young ones and watch them finish the race. “As they run to the finish line, I know that I am part of the race, and nothing gives me more pleasure.”
She further said: "We use cultural tools, experiences and perceptions to define and interact with the environment. Politics and issues related to the economy and finances, regulate our relationship with the environment. I am as much an environmentalist as I am a cultural expert, that is why the programme has a reach to all students in the university and not only those in the natural sciences.
I do not believe in disciplinary decadence and believe there’s a lot to share and gain in working across disciplines. When the call is made again this year, I hope lecturers will assist and encourage students from the varied disciplines to apply.
Lecturers who are still engaged in masters and PhD programmes are also welcome to apply. It is always interesting to look at the environment through varied lenses.”
The four students will be in Germany until 10 March 2023.
The participating students will greatly benefit from interacting with an exceptional international team of researchers and partners from Canada, Germany, and South Africa, with representatives from academia, indigenous and rural communities, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, governing agencies, international networks, and private and civil society organizations and foundations.
Participating student, Mxolisi Nicholus Mnyambo, who is a PhD in agriculture scholar, says TILL is an opportunity that will improve his intercultural skills and expose him to transdisciplinary research to tackle interconnected challenges.
Mnyambo also considers collaboration with other students vital in his knowledge growth as well as being exposed to all aspects related to biosphere reserves. He expressed his gratefulness to his lecturer, Dr Dube, and the university for affording him this opportunity.
Four UMP students are participating in the TRANSECTS programme in Germany.
UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso congratulated the students on their selection. “It’s really great to note that our students have done extremely well. We are proud of their achievements. I have no doubt that the experience will contribute to their academic journeys.”
The University of Mpumalanga would like to thank the Environmental Learning Research Centre at Rhodes University for availing Mr Preven Chetty to assist the students as they make preparations and like the famous Mbombela make their way to lands afar.
@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.