Stellenbosch University (SU) is among South Africa’s leading tertiary institutions based on research output, student pass rates and rated scientists, and is recognised internationally as an academic institution of excellence. This is confirmed by two world university rankings after SU was included in the Times Higher Education and QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) world rankings in 2012, for the second consecutive year. In 2011 the University was also listed on the Leiden rankings, and in 2012 SU was named the leading African University by the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities which ranks universities according to their web presence.
SU also boasts the second-highest number of scientists in South Africa who have been ranked by the National Research Foundation (NRF) – 306 in 2012. With 18 research chairs under the NRF South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi), the University is regarded as a leader in the fields of biomedical tuberculosis research and management, wine biotechnology, animal sciences and mathematical biosciences. Another SARChi chair, in the field of invasion biology, is shared between SU and the University of Venda. This constitutes but one of SU’s many partnerships, both local and international. As preferred research partner, SU also participates in various international academic networks.
The springbok emblem was introduced under white rule in South Africa and by retaining it, it remains a burden for many South Africans who followed the Rugby World Cup.
A main street of a poor neighbourhood in Cape Town during recent power cuts.
EPA/Nic Bothma
It’s not clear whether South Africa’s president can coordinate his ministers in a way that provides clarity about dealing with the country’s energy crisis.
Baobabs en Madagascar.
Shutterstock/Dennis van de Water
The danger of fires in the Cape region this season is partly dependent on how the Fynbos has been managed over the past few decades.
New Zealand’s Sonny Bill Williams is tackled by South Africans RG Snyman (right) and Frans Malherbe during a Rugby World Cup 2019 match in Yokohama, south of Tokyo.
EPA/Kimimasa Mayama
What was particularly interesting about the responses of the tadpoles was that they were similar even through they had very different evolutionary histories with the three species we chose.
Rural healthcare services are best supported by midlevel workers.
Shutterstock
Midlevel health workers can provide diagnostic and therapeutic services with lower entry qualification requirements and shorter training periods than doctors.