Study grants and bursaries

The PRF bursary scheme was approved in 1994 and the first bursary for postgraduate studies was awarded for the 1995 academic year. We are proud to look back on a period of 24 years during which 78 bursaries were awarded to deserving candidates for Masters' and Doctorate studies. The aim of the bursary scheme is to train deserving candidates in the scientific method to allow them to contribute to high quality scientific research after completing their studies. This includes, in particular, research aimed at promoting the production of protein for animal consumption.

Students are also encouraged to publish their research results in scientific journals, popular magazines or both. Management summaries of theses and manuscripts are published on the PRF website and database.

Bursaries for Masters' studies are awarded for a period of two years and three years in the case of Doctorate studies. Bursaries awarded for the current year were approved by the Technology Committee and were the following:

1. M.Sc Studies

   1. Mr JP van Zyl (Second application)
      "Effect of plant population, maturity group and row width on soybean yield in the North East Free State" – University of the Free State
   2. Mr A Liebenberg (First application)
      "Consideration for liming soil for canola production: Soil tillage, placement, form and fineness of lime." – Stellenbosch University

2. PhD Studies

   1. Ms IR Crouse (First application)
      "Die ontwikkeling van stikstof bestuurstrategieë onder bewaringslandboupraktyke in die Wes-Kaap." – Stellenbosch University

3. Completed theses received

   During the year under review, the following theses were received from bursary recipients that completed their studies successfully.

   1. Mr E du Toit (M.Sc)
      "Developing nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for canola under conservation agriculture practices in the Western Cape." – Stellenbosch University
   2. Ms J van der Merwe (M.Sc)
      "Evaluation of canola oilcake as alternative locally produced protein source for slaughter ostriches." – Stellenbosch University
   3. Ms TC Maluke (M.Sc)
      "Plant cystatins and insect resistance: Inhibition of insect midgut cysteine proteases by plant cystatins and their role in plant insect resistance." – University of Pretoria
   4. Ms P Mbedzi (M.Sc)
      "Initial screening of soybeans for simple sequence repeats conferring resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum." – University of Pretoria