The University of Venda hosted the Beihang University delegation from China on Joint Africa-China Lab on research, Staff and Student Exchange, Student Scholarship and Research partnership dis-cussions.
Group photo of the delegates at the Natural Science building
On July 25, 2024, the University of Venda, under the leadership of Prof. Eric Maluta, the Director of the Green Technology Confucius Institute (GTCI), together with the Faculty of Science Engineer-ing and Agriculture, International Relations and Partnerships, hosted a two-day workshop with delegates from Beihang University. Among the delegates were Prof. Jin Tian (Deputy Registrar of Beihang University), Prof. Yang Donkai, from the School of Electronics and Information Engineering at the International Innovation Institute of Beihang University, and Mr. Zou Yunchao who is a PhD candidate for Satellite Navigation at the same university. The primary purpose of the visit was to establish collaboration in research, teaching, and scholarship for a Joint African-China Lab.
The collaboration will involve the exchange of students and staff. The colleagues from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning led by Dr. Ingwani, presented the progress report on issues related to co- Africa-China Joint Lab, which is a Consortium between the University of Venda, the University of Pretoria, and the South African National Space Agency in collaboration with Beihang University. Prof. Lutendo Murulana (Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate Studies in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture) is one of the coordinators of this collaboration representing the University of Venda.
Delegates at the GIS Laboratory
The delegates engaged in discussion with colleagues from the Department of Urban and Regional Planning and the Manager of the Experimental Farm at the University of Venda. The discussions led to the development of a new research topics and the group is currently writing the proposal for the co-Africa-China Joint Lab. One of the students from URP will be joining the Beihang University research for her master’s studies in Space Technology Application.
The delegates visited different university facilities, including the experimental farm and laboratories of the Department of Earth Sciences and the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences. During the visit, Prof. Yang Donkai discussed the potential use of technology to analyse data through satellite remote sensors and transform the University of Venda experimental farm from manual to precision farming. We can use satellites and remote sensors to gather data and improve efficiency and sustainability.
In a discussion, Prof. Yang Donkai, Prof. Maluta, and the Farm Manager agreed to come up with a research project on monitoring and managing crops and animals. We can monitor crops growing on the hydroponic tunnels to identify when crops need water, fertilizers, and pest control. Remote sensing can provide valuable insights into crop performance, nutrient levels, and plant health. This can contribute to reducing waste and increasing yield while protecting the environment by minimising the use of chemicals.
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