On 17 September 20025, the 20th Kimberley Biodiversity Research Symposium was successfully hosted at the Sol Plaatje University, South Campus. While some elders took a drive through memory lane, the young scientists presenting their project proposals and preliminary research findings, of which the potential of ‘brown locust as a food source’ by Faranani Tshivhase, being one capturing the audience. The KBRS is a jointly organized symposium by DAERL’s environmental scientists, with Dr Marnus Smit as chair, Sol Plaatje University, McGregor Museum, SANParks and SAEON (South African Environmental Observation Network) for the Arid Region. The venue, catering, goody bags and student prizes are all sponsored, having no cost implication for the DAERL. We were honored to have our Acting Director for Research giving the opening address, followed by Dr Hugo Bezuidenhout (keynote address) who was one of the founding members of the KBRS twenty years ago.
Why KBRS matters?
The Symposium is a platform where researchers, scientists and students interact (share lessons learnt and best practices) and build relationships. It is especially a platform for young students to develop their skills and learn from their peers and other scientists on a more informal platform than National Conferences. It is also a platform where stakeholders and biodiversity permit holders build relationships and share knowledge. While hosted in an informal atmosphere, it is yet still professional i.t.o. the research being presented and its scientific formats, being registered with SACNASP to also enabling attendees to obtain one CPD (Continuous Personal Development) point. If you want to know what research is happening in the Northern Cape, the KBRS provides such an opportunity for anyone interested.
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