A Comparison of Geographical Information Science Competency Requirements

Because universities often provide training in geographical information science (GISc) as part of geography, surveying as well as environmental and computer science programmes, the content, outcomes, extent and quality of training can vary significantly. Very little research has been done on how the existing sets of competency requirements for GISc overlap or differ. No literature exists that identifies commonalities and inconsistencies (gaps) at detail level that could assist with developing a framework that incorporates both South African and international GISc curricula guidelines.Three sets of competency guidelines, namely the U.S.-developed Geographic Information Science and Technology (GI S&T) Body of Knowledge (BoK) developed by the University Consortium for Geographic Information Science (UCGIS), the South African Unit Standards-Based Qualifications (USBQ) and the South African Council for Professional and Technical Surveyors (PLATO) model, are compared qualitatively and quantitatively to identify commonalities and inconsistencies. The exercise identified duplication among the three models and highlighted themes that the South African GISc community deems to be important. The study further identifies topics in the GI S&T BoK that the GISc community in the U.S. considers to be essential knowledge for anyone wishing to practice in the GISc field. The BoK offers the most comprehensive and detailed set of GI competencies, but lacks generic competencies such as physics. Some competencies are unique to a specific set, for example physics and geographical science in the PLATO model, while training is unique to the USBQ. The authors conclude that a new competency set based on the findings of the research is needed to best serve the GISc industry and academia. Recommendations for further research are made.Keywords: Curriculum design, data acquisition, geographical information science (GISc), knowledge and skills requirements, mathematics,  photogrammetry, physics, professional body, unit standards-based  qualification (USBQ), remote sensing, statistics

A New GISc Framework and Competency Set for Curricula Development at South African Universities

In this study the commonalities and inconsistencies between three Geographical Information Science (GISc) competency sets are used to develop a new framework of essential competencies that can be used for curricula development at South African universities that meet local and international requirements. A prototype GISc framework of 16 knowledge areas (KAs), consisting of 20 fundamental and 89 core competencies, was introduced to a group of GISc experts to gauge its usefulness and to determine the relative importance of specific KAs. The responses showed that some KAs, in particular Physics and Organisational and Institutional Aspects are considered less important than Data Modelling and Geospatial Data. However, all the KAs were considered essential by the workshop participants for inclusion in the GISc framework. A simple algorithm was developed and implemented to determine whether a particular competency should be included in the GISc framework. The new framework is an extension of the Geographical Information Science and Technology (GI S&T) Body of Knowledge (BoK) and consists of 14 KAs and can be used to develop curricula that meet the requirements of the South African and international GISc industries

Geographical differences in the relationship between total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity in South African rivers

Electrical conductivity (EC) is a useful surrogate for total dissolved solids (TDS). EC is more rapidly and easily measurable with reasonably-priced equipment. However, as an indirect measure EC is subject to uncertainties that are not always apparent to the user. We set out to investigate the relationship between TDS and EC in 144 643 sample results availableon the Department of Water Affairs water quality database. TDS is   calculated as the sum of the major solutes determined by laboratory  analysis and EC is a measurement in a flow cell. The median TDS:EC ratio for 332 high priority sites was 7 mg/.: 1 mS/m. Regional differences  ranged from 4.8 to 8.6. Investigation of 38 of these sites using Maucha diagrams suggested that the differences are related to the dominant  major ions, with sodium chloride waters having a lower TDS:EC conversion factor than calcium bicarbonate waters. The practical application of these findings is that users of EC meters should not simply apply a blanket conversion factor, but need to select an applicable factor for the river  system in which they are measuring.Keywords: conversion factors, electrical conductivity, field instruments, rivers, total dissolved solids, water qualit

Effect van het aanbieden van strooisel in de vroege opfokperiode op het ontwikkelen van verenpikken bij leghennen = Effect of substrate during early rearing of laying hens on the development of feather pecking behaviour

In this report the possible preventive effect of substrate during early rearing of laying hens on the development of feather pecking at a later age is described

South African journalists' experiences of reporting on the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™

During mega-sport events, such as the Fédération Internationale de Football Association’s (FIFA) World Cup and the Olympic Games, the focus is often on football players and athletes respectively. Other important role-players, such as volunteers, journalists and spectators who make mega-sport events a success, are not in the lime light. The goal of this study was to describe South African journalists’ experiences of reporting at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with the purpose of learning from their experiences in view of the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The study was conducted from a phenomenological position with five South African journalists. The data for this research was produced by means of written essays and interviews and analysed according to the Duquesne Phenomenological Research Method (DPRM). The results indicated that the journalists’ experienced the 2010 FIFA World Cup as an enormous event that challenged them to move into unfamiliar territory during their preparation for and participation in this event, which lead to the readers of their newspapers moving into unfamiliar territory. Reflecting back on the event the journalists’ experienced growth in their confidence as journalists and were proud of being South African.http://www.ajol.info/journal_index.php?jid=153&ab=ajpherd2016-03-30am201

Gewassen en geoliede eieren verouderen minder snel

In het streven naar een kwalitatief goed ei of eiproduct, dient naast het optimaliseren van het productieproces in de stal ook aandacht te worden besteed aan de handhaving van de kwaliteit gedurende het traject van stal tot consument. Het Praktijkonderzoek Pluimveehouderij (PP) heeft hier onderzoek naar gedaan. Het blijkt, dat gewassen en geoliede eieren minder snel verouderen

HENNOVATION: Learnings from Promoting Practice-Led Multi-Actor Innovation Networks to Address Complex Animal Welfare Challenges within the Laying Hen Industry

The Hennovation project, an EU H2020 funded thematic network, aimed to explore the potential value of practice-led multi-actor innovation networks within the laying hen industry. The project proposed that husbandry solutions can be practice-led and effectively supported to achieve durable gains in sustainability and animal welfare. It encouraged a move away from the traditional model of science providing solutions for practice, towards a collaborative approach where expertise from science and practice were equally valued. During the 32-month project, the team facilitated 19 multi-actor networks in five countries through six critical steps in the innovation process: problem identification, generation of ideas, planning, small scale trials, implementation and sharing with others. The networks included farmers, processors, veterinarians, technical advisors, market representatives and scientists. The interaction between the farmers and the other network actors, including scientists, was essential for farmer innovation. New relationships emerged between the scientists and farmers, based on experimental learning and the co-production of knowledge for improving laying hen welfare. The project demonstrated that a practice-led approach can be a major stimulus for innovation with several networks generating novel ideas and testing them in their commercial context. The Hennovation innovation networks not only contributed to bridging the science-practice gap by application of existing scientific solutions in practice but more so by jointly finding new solutions. Successful multi-actor, practice-led innovation networks appeared to depend upon the following key factors: active participation from relevant actors, professional facilitation, moderate resource support and access to relevant expertise. Farmers and processors involved in the project were often very enthusiastic about the approach, committing significant time to the network’s activities. It is suggested that the agricultural research community and funding agencies should place greater value on practice-led multi-actor innovation networks alongside technology and advisor focused initiatives to improve animal welfare and embed best practices

Welfare Quality assessment protocol for laying hens = Welfare Quality assessment protocol voor leghennen

Results of a study on the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for laying hens. It reports the development of the integration of welfare assessment as scores per criteria as well as simplification of the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol. Results are given from assessment of 122 farms

Welzijn van uitgelegde hennen tijdens vangen en vervoer in de winterperiode

24 End-of-lay flocks have been monitored from catching to slaughter to determine various welfare aspects of hens during catching and transport in winter time