The Role of International Academic Professionals in the Development of Entrepreneurial Universities in South Africa: Government Funded Universities Perspective

 There is a wide belief and acceptance from leading government and business experts that small enterprises and entrepreneurship are the key components to unemployment and poverty alleviation in any country. Unfortunately, high unemployment levels, low entrepreneurial activity and high small business failure rate have become the main characteristics of the South African economy. Post-school education is partially blamed for the dropping levels of entrepreneurial activities in the country. South Africa’s tertiary education system continues to focus on producing job-seekers instead of job creators. This problem has forced South African Universities to explore more on their potential of becoming more entrepreneurial, but lack of academics in the field of entrepreneurship has been found to be a hindrance to success in this agenda. To avert this obstacle, it is reiterated that internationalisation is key to any university entrepreneurship strategy, and therefore universities are encouraged to internationalise through attracting international entrepreneurial staff. The purpose of this literature review paper is twofold. The first part explores the role played by international academic professionals in the establishment of entrepreneurial universities in South Africa, while the second aims at evaluating the state of entrepreneurship development in higher education and the potential of South African universities becoming more entrepreneurial. The study employs both quantitative and qualitative research techniques (mixed method). The study reveals that South African universities should internationalise if they are to succeed in the entrepreneurial strategy. In addition, it is found that foreign academics have the required skills and bring in the diverse expertise needed for the establishment of entrepreneurial universities. Moreover, the presence of international academics has enhanced entrepreneurship mindset of local staff and students. It is recommended that universities should establish entrepreneurial institutes which are affiliated to them in order to drive this initiative and that the establishment of entrepreneurial universities is the way to go in South Africa if the country is to beat poverty and unemployment.&nbsp

Purification, characterisation and application of inulinase and transferase enzymes in the production of fructose and oligosaccharides

Inulin hydrolysis can occur as a result of the action of exoinulinases and endoinulinases acting alone or synergistically. Exoinulinases cleave the non-reducing β-(2, I) end of inulin releasing fructose while endoinulinases act on the internal linkages randomly to release inulotrioses (F₃), inulotetraoses (F₄) and inulopentaoses (F₅) as major products. Fructosyltransferases act by cleaving a sucrose molecule and then transferring the liberated fructose molecule to an acceptor molecule such as sucrose or another oligosaccharide to elongate the short chain fructooligosaccharide. The production of high yields of oligosaccharides of specific chain length from simple raw materials such as inulin and sucrose is a challenge. Oligosaccharides of chain length up to degree of polymerisation (DP) 5 and fructose were produced using preparations of three commercial microbial enzymes. Production of these novel oligosaccharides was achieved by employing response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite experimental design (CCD) for optimising product yield. Using a crude Novozyme 960 endoinulinase preparation isolated from Aspergillus niger, the following conditions gave a high inulooligosaccharide (lOS) yield, temperature (60 ºC), 150 g/L inulin concentration, 48 h incubation; pH 6.0 and enzyme dosage of 60 U/ml. Under these conditions, inulotrioses (70.3 mM), inulotetraoses (38.8 mM), and inulopentaoses, (3.5 mM) were produced. Response surface regression predicted similar product levels under similar conditions. The crude endoinulinase was purified through a three step purification procedure with a yield of 1.11 % and 3.5 fold purification. The molecular weight of this endoinulinase was estimated to be 68 .1 kDa by SDS-PAGE and its endoinulinase nature was confirmed by native PAGE. The purified endoinulinase was more efficient in production of lOS than the crude endoinulinase preparation. The purified endoinulinase demonstrated a high affinity for the inulin substrate (Km[subscript] 3.53 mM, Vmax[subscript] 666.67 μmol/min/ml). Pectinex Ultra SP-L, a commercial crude enzyme preparation isolated from Aspergillus aculeatus is a cocktail of several enzymes including a fructosyltransferase. The crude enzyme showed both transfructosylation and hydrolytic activity in 200 to 600 g/L sucrose. The main fructooligosaccharides produced from sucrose were l-kestose (GF₂), nystose (GF₃) and fructofuranosyl nystose (GF₄). After the first RSM, with the coded independent variables of temperature, incubation time, pH and sucrose concentration, the highest levels of GF₂, was 68.61 mM, under sucrose concentration 600 g/L, temperature 60°C, enzyme dosage 20 U/ml , pH 5.6, after 4 h incubation. A sucrose concentration of 400 g/L favoured the synthesis of high levels of GF₃ and GF₄. In the second RSM the maximal yields of GF₂, GF₃ and GF₄ were 152.07 mM, 131.38 mM and 43.99 mM respectively. A purified fructosyltransferase did not synthesise GF₄. Ammonium ions were demonstrated to enhance the yield of FOS. A mixture of glucose and fructose was used as substrate for FOS synthesis and no FOS were formed. Glucose was shown to be an end product inhibitor of the fructosyltransferase and therefore hinders the formation of high FOS yield. Fructozyme, isolated from Aspergillus ficuum is a mixture of exo and endoinulinases with the former being predominant was used for fructose production from inulin hydrolysis. The exoinulinase was purified to electrophoretic homogeneity by a three step purification procedure. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 53 kDa with a 2 I % yield and 4.2-fold. Response surface regression was used to predict the maximum fructose levels achievable under the combinations of temperature, enzyme dosage and incubation time. A reaction time (48 h), enzyme dosage (100 U/ml) and inulin concentration (150 g/l) at pH 5.0 at 50°C gave higher fructose levels (106.6 mg/ml) using crude exoinulinase as compared to 98.43 mg/ml using the purified exoinulinase. These findings indicate that higher levels of fructose require longer incubation periods and higher inulin substrate concentrations with higher enzyme dosage. The crude exoinulinase preparation gave fairly higher levels of fructose than the purified exoinulinase and this is due to the presence of other hydrolytic enzymes in the crude preparation. The conditions established by RSM and CCO were adequate in producing high yield of oligosaccharides and fructose and can therefore be applied for their industrial production since they are in high demand due to their health benefits as prebiotics

COMPLIANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS BY A GOLD MINING COMPANY IN ZAKA DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE - A TRAVESTY OR TRIBUTE TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRACY AND JUSTICE

Zimbabwe’s Environmental Management Act has provisions promoting the conduct of environmental impact assessment (EIA) prior to project implementation to protect the environment and environmental rights. Using data collection methods inspired by phenomenological study, this paper discusses if EIA processes by a gold mining company had mainstreamed or marooned ‘access rights’ which are the cornerstone of environmental democracy. While the Zimbabwe’s EIA policy is applauded for covertly mainstreaming environmental democracy, research findings suggest that there exist gaps in the policy framework, policy and practice in promoting comprehensive environmental democracy. EIA processes are done to fulfil legal obligations but with little motivation to protect community interests as participation is symbolic. It is recommended to redesign EIA policy and embed broader attributes of environmental democracy such as locals’ participation in all EIA stages and inclusion of experts on community issues in the EIA review panel to promote fairness, inclusivity, transparency during EIA. Article visualizations

Using a design-based research approach for a supplementary instruction programme: A pedagogical intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic

The study focused on the implementation of supplementary instruction as a suitable and effective pedagogical intervention for assisting at-risk students enrolled in an Advanced Research Methodology core course in one of the South African higher education institutions (HEIs). Supplementary instruction (SI) has been purported to be an effective technique for assisting at-risk students undertaking high-risk core modules. The educational challenge of at-risk students in higher education has been worsened by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic where high-risk core modules implementing e-learning posed serious challenges for at-risk students thereby negatively affecting pass rates and throughput. The design-based research (DBR) approach was used to guide the design of the intervention and research its effectiveness. The article reports on the design principles that yielded these results. After one cycle of DBR, it was established that SI had a positive impact on the pass rates of this particular course. The article argues that the use of the proposed designed principles in SI interventions has the potential to increase higher mean grades, lower failure and withdrawal rates, and higher retention rates of students. However, this study recommends that further iterations must be undertaken to refine design principles for an SI programme of this nature. The pedagogical significance of the current study in the prevailing circumstances and post COVID-19 pandemic is implementing a robust SI intervention in all core modules at the University of Technology

Decolourisation and degradation of reactive blue 2 by sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) and zero valent iron in a biosulphidogenic reactor

This work was performed to determine the influence of heat treatment on sewage sludge and addition of zero valent iron (ZVI) on the degradation and decolourisation of an anthraquinone dye, reactive blue 2 (RB 2). A consortium of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) in a biosulphidogenic batch reactor with biodigester sludge was used. The latter supplied carbon and augmenting microorganisms. Reactors with heat treated sludge were outperformed by those with unheated sludge for the larger part of the reactor life span. A 75% decolourisation efficiency was achieved within 24 h of inoculation when 4 g ZVI/l were added in an SRB reactor with unheated sludge as opposed to 59% colour removal after four days in the same reactor without ZVI. However, decolourisation was also noted in the presence of ZVI alone, indicating existence of chemical reaction between ZVI and RB 2.Key words: Decolourisation, degradation, reactive blue 2, zero valent iron, sulphate reducing bacteria, sulphidogenic

Towards a Cyber Resilient Banking System: Effectiveness of Cyber Fraud Risk Management Strategies Adopted by Commercial Banks in Zimbabwe

The advent of digital financial technology left the business community and its clients celebrating convenient ways of online shopping, paying bills and money transfers. However, digital banking technology came with its share of challenges, due to highly digitalised economies in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, cyber fraudsters are increasingly targeting and leveraging on financial market infrastructures. Cyber security of banking institutions and the financial systems across the globe remains a major concern of Central Banks, investors, internal auditors and financial risk managers. The purpose of this research paper was to examine the efficacy of cyber fraud prevention measures used by commercial banks in Zimbabwe. The study also looked into the difficulties encountered in managing cyber-fraud. Results indicate that cyber fraud risk management strategies adopted by Commercial banks are partly effective which indicates existence of opportunities for cyber fraudsters to attacks and get away with it at the expense of clients, banks and the financial system as a whole. Results also indicate that Commercial banks are facing quite a number of challenges which include the following: lack of sophisticated systems, cyber attackers are always ahead, some of the clients do not take awareness messages send to them seriously, some clients share passwords and credit cards and lack of enough education and knowhow of employees. The study therefore concludes that, cyber fraud risk management strategies adopted by Commercial banks are partly effective. Monetary and fiscal authorities need to continue monitoring Commercial banks with regard to implementation of cyber security risk based supervision framework

Community-made mobile videos as a mechanism for maternal, newborn and child health education in rural Uganda; a qualitative evaluation

Introduction: In Uganda, the maternal, newborn and child mortality is highest in rural areas, which are least served by health services and are also least reached by effective behavior change communication for health. Though maternal and child health related messages are available, they are still not culture and context specific for effective behaviour change. Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the feasibility of using locally made videos by local community groups in local languages as a channel for increasing knowledge, practices, demand and use of maternal and child health messages among women living in rural communities in Eastern Uganda. Methods: This paper describes the qualitative findings from a quasi experimental study targeting the rural semi-illiterate populations in hard to reach areas. Videos were developed and implemented based on Ministry of Health. Focus group discussions and KIs targeted pregnant and post natal mothers. Data transcription and content analysis was done. Results: Local mobile community videos were effective in communicating knowledge about key maternal and child health messages to both women and their male partners. Conclusion: Locally made mobile community videos are effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, practices and use of maternal and child health messages among rural semi-illiterate communities

A Manifesto for (De)growth: Disruptive (De)Growth Repository of Southern Ecosystems

Hunguta formed after the open call for the 2019 Oslo Architecture Triennale, taking the Xitsonga word for 'decrease' as its name. The multidisciplinary collective engages with degrowth practices in the context of the Global South. The project in SubSaharan Africa – developed through months and in dialogue with local communities –,was transformed into an atlas exhibited in Oslo in 2019. Through images, diagrams, and photographs, the collective both tests and challenges degrowth principles in a manifesto on the dynamic repository of southern ecosystems. In doing so, the atlas questions the absolute viability and application of degrowth principles in territories subjected to exploitation and 'slow growth' over decades – if not centuries

Oligosaccharides production from coprophilous fungi: An emerging functional food with potential health-promoting properties

Functional foods are essential food products that possess health-promoting properties for the treatment of infectious diseases. In addition, they provide energy and nutrients, which are required for growth and survival. They occur as prebiotics or dietary supplements, including oligosaccharides, processed foods, and herbal products. However, oligosaccharides are more efficiently recognized and utilized, as they play a fundamental role as functional ingredients with great potential to improve health in comparison to other dietary supplements. They are low molecular weight carbohydrates with a low degree of polymerization