University of South Africa hosts 39th International Society of Animal Genetics Conference
This august and prestigious event attracted more than 595 international geneticists who exchanged and shared their scientific knowledge under the theme “Animal genomics for sustainable futures”.
The proceedings for the conference started on 2 July 2023 with introductory remarks by the President of the International Society of Animal Genetics (ISAG), Prof Clare Gill, Professor of Animal Genomics at Texas A & M University and a member of the interdisciplinary programmes in genetics and biotechnology, and the welcome address by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Prof Puleng LenkaBula.
In her welcome and opening address, LenkaBula expressed her appreciation to Gill and Prof Ntanganedzeni Mapholi, the Acting Deputy Dean of CAES and chairperson of the ISAG regional organising team, for ensuring that the 39th ISAG Conference takes place on the African continent.
Expressing her delight, she said: “This is truly exciting, and we are grateful that you have chosen Unisa as a co-host. Unisa is not only the cradle of university systems in South Africa, but also the largest university in the continent with its students coming from over 130 countries across the world.”
At the end of her address, LenkaBula reminded delegates that while science is important, it cannot exist for its own sake, but must have a utilitarian value that responds to the challenges of society, its economic systems, social systems and its interface with the society and the future. She further implored delegates to look at the current climate change challenges as an invitation to thinking how the intersection of the varied disciplines can be a resource for communities.
To set the scene, the two plenary lectures were presented by Prof Michele Ramsay of the University of Witwatersrand, who spoke on the topic “Understanding African health through genetic diversity”, followed by Prof Appolinaire Djikeng of the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, who addressed the topic “Experiences in genomic selection for improved animal health and adaptability in Africa”.
These two presentations, which respectively underscored the importance of genomics as a basis for precision medicine and unlocking Africa’s livestock production, were found to be thought provoking and made a fitting contribution leading to the development of workable solutions towards the delivery of quality health and food sustainability in the future.
The programme for the welcome reception event on the evening of 2 July 2023 was directed by the CEO of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP), Dr Nompumelelo Obokoh. The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, was represented by Dr Mboneni Muofhe who gave the welcome reception speech. The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) was represented by its CEO, Dr Litha Magingxa. The welcome reception was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). The proceedings were serenaded by a smaller version of the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival dance troupe.
The 39th ISAG Conference was a resounding success that demonstrated Unisa’s capabilities in playing a leading role in the scientific agenda within the continent and beyond. Says Prof Solomon Magano, Executive Dean of CAES and Acting Vice-Principal: Institutional Development: “We are truly indebted to the Principal and Vice Chancellor of our university, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, together with the Vice-Principal: Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, Prof Thenjiwe Meyiwa, for their unwavering support in ensuring that the conference is realised as planned. Professor Ntanganedzeni Mapholi and her team in the Department of Agriculture and Animal Health conducted themselves with distinction in delivering a world-class conference.