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.
Despite some positive shifts, the staffing situation at public higher education institutions remains polarised in terms of race and gender.
Le Soudan du Sud est en proie à des inondations depuis quatre ans. Son système de santé, comme ceux d'autres pays africains, devra s'adapter au changement climatique.
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Les systèmes de soins de santé primaires doivent devenir plus résistants à mesure que les effets du changement climatique s'aggravent.
South Sudan has been beset by floods for the past four years. Its health system, like those in other African countries, will have to adapt to climate change.
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Dissatisfied ANC voters were much more likely to switch their votes if they held positive views of an opposition party. However, the problem for the opposition is that few people held these views.
There are several cognitive processes involved in learning to read.
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Reading fluency and expanding vocabulary are the bridge from decoding to comprehension. Weaknesses in any of these building blocks will limit a child’s ability to read for meaning.
The cost of irrigation adds to the farmers’ burden.
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Allegations of flouting international arms control rules, let alone being party to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, place the South African defence industry in a precarious position globally.
Abdellah Taïa in Tangier, Morocco, in 2010.
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A third of South Africa’s farming income depends on irrigation. Disruptions in power supply put huge chunks of the country’s agricultural fortunes at risk.
With the proliferation of social media platforms, smart devices and apps, the demands on our attention have never been greater. But how is this affecting our ability to process and retain information?
Our understanding of Parkinson’s disease is far from complete. But researchers now believe that in most cases, Parkinson’s is caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Wine remains among South Africa’s major agricultural exports.
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