Amazing experience for Aspiring Scientists

In theory, practice is simple; however is it simple to practise theory? Students attending SAIAB’s 2011 Aquatic Biodiversity Course (Winter School) were exposed to some of the best aquatic scientists nationally and internationally, exploring theory and practise and its relation to the aquatic environment.

2011 Winter School Students 

Situated in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) holds an annual Aquatic Biodiversity Course. In previous years it was targeted at postgraduate students. However for 2011 it focused on undergraduates, exposing them to diverse career paths within the aquatic environment so they can make informed choices about the areas they would like to pursue for postgraduate studies. Attendees represented Rhodes University (RU), University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (UKZN), Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) and four DST/NRF interns based at SAIAB.

SAIAB is an internationally recognised study of aquatic biodiversity and the four day course introduced the participants to biological diversity, taxonomy and systematics in freshwater, estuarine and marine environments through lectures, practicals, workshops as well as field work. In addition they were provided with basic information on how to use the specialist Margaret Smith Library, the Collections Management Centre including preservation and storage techniques, management of biodiversity information through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and data bases. On the final day of the course they attended an interactive workshop on communicating science which highlighted the importance of effective communication of research in developing public awareness of science.

While presenting a lecture in Estuarine Ichthyology SAIAB’s Chief Scientist, Professor Alan Whitfield encouraged the students to find a research project that interests them. He went on to emphasize that one does not have to be a top scholar to become a Marine Biologist but as one progresses and enjoys the project one can become successful and eventually attain high marks.

For most students, the field trip was the highlight of the course because it demonstrated practically what scientists do in the field and the process of collecting sample fish species. “Through this field trip I have learned the importance of estuaries and that they need to be conserved for human sustainability,” said Peet Botes, B. Tech student from NMMU George Campus. Nkoliso Magona, third year Biological Science student from WSU had never been to an estuary to collect fish and this course provided him with the opportunity to see how science physically happens in the field.

While most of the students were enthusiastic about the field trip, Aviwe Matiwane, also a third year from WSU, enjoyed the session on Systematics and Taxonomy. “It was challenging but fun, especially identifying fish fossils,” she said.

Winter School students on the field

SAIAB is in the process of establishing an Aquatic Biodiversity Student Network for students throughout South Africa who are involved in aquatic biodiversity studies. Winter School students were encouraged to join this network. This linkage will allow students the platform to network with each other and the international aquatic biodiversity community. It is mainly aimed at informing postgraduate students about SAIAB’s research programmes, encourage students to align their research with SAIAB’s programmes, stimulate and promote interactions among graduate students and between students and senior scientists in aquatic biodiversity research.  It will further provide a network through which graduate students can feel comfortable to share ideas, collaborate and develop a broader understanding of their own study areas in the wider context of conservation biology, ecological research, molecular biology and systematics. The network will inform graduate students of career opportunities as they become available, and get graduate students excited about the fact that they will become the next generation of aquatic biodiversity research. Their research will pave the way to improved biodiversity management policies and protection of our environment for future generations. Winter school candidates were very interested and enthusiastic about joining this network as they could network and learn from each other.

Refiloe Mofokeng is an Msc Zoology student specialising in eco-toxicity in UKZN, she describes her experience with Winter School as “amazing”. “Everybody was friendly, the reception was beautiful, and the level of motivation and communication exceeded my needs and expectations. I got all the information and contact with researchers I aspired to meet. The experience allowed me to see where South African scientists are standing in relation to other scientists internationally which was helpful for my research. It was good for networking as well because I acquired contact and advice from scientists on my current research project. The activities were fun, innovative, challenging and informative. It was a ‘worth it’ experience,” she concluded.