From the students desk: SABI Student Workshop



Participants at the workshop

SAIAB students and interns recently formed part of a South African Biosystematics Initiative (SABI) student workshop on scientific presentations skills in Richards Bay. SABI is aimed at assisting the scientific community in promoting the awareness and the importance of bio-systematic research in the broader community through education and outreach projects. The workshop attracted 26 students from 13 institutions across the country. These students came from Univ. of Fort Hare, Limpopo, Venda, W. Cape, Free State, Walter Sisulu University, Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University, Natal and Iziko Museums, SAIAB, SANBI, and the ARC. According to SABI student committee chairperson and workshop organizer, Thabo Maake, the workshop kicked off with a “snowball fight”, as an ice breaker. Participants had to pick up a snowball with a name of someone they didn’t know which encouraged interaction and team work, giving good networking opportunities among participants. Participants were then requested to express their expectations of the workshop which was later used to direct the emphasis of the workshop. The workshop focused on issues such as good abstract writing, structuring presentations, hiding nerves, timing and confidence, keeping audience interested, K.I.S.S. (something students call, Keep It Short & Simple), etc. The workshop was a general success with one University of Limpopo student was noted as saying: “I have to say I now have much knowledge with regard to compiling a good scientific and attractive abstract and I can now proudly say I am no longer a 'Nervous Nelly' when it comes to Oral presentations.”