News
SASHS News - 1st Quarter 2011
Dear SASHS Member,
Boy does time fly! It seemed like only yesterday that we were hosted by the University of Pretoria at the Combined Congress! If you did not attend, the 2011 Combined Congress was held from 17-20 January 2011 at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and attracted over 300 delegates with 130 oral presentations and 46 poster presentations. The theme of the Congress was "Taking care of the FOODBALL through science". Delegates focused on innovation, stewardship and scientific advancement, which ultimately leads to practical implementation by growers, who strive to sustainably produce high quality products with a reduced environmental footprint.
Keynote presentations by invited guests of each Society were delivered during the plenary session, and the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences was honoured to have Prof. Jules Janick deliver a keynote address entitled "Fruit Breeding: Past, Present, and Future" Prof Janick also chaired a session at the Congress.
In order to develop healthy competition within and between Societies, a number of awards are annually presented to deserving winners at a Gala Dinner at the closure of the Combined Congress. The Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences presents awards for Best Published Paper in a peer-reviewed journal, Best Oral Presentation, Best Poster Presentation, Best MSc Student Presentation and Best PhD Student Presentation. The Best Student Presentation prize is coupled to a travel award, which contributes towards the attendance of an ISHS Conference by the winner. Across the Societies, the Omnia Best Student Presentation is awarded to the student obtaining the highest score as judged across all four Societies. The SASHS is proud of the fact that, once again, this award was presented to a student of Horticultural Science. Good news for Horticulture and on behalf of the SASHS Council, I extend our congratulations to all the winners!
2nd All Africa Horticulture Congress
Theme: "Horticulture for Humanity"
Skukuza, South Africa
15-20 January 2012
Following on from the success of the 1st All Africa Horticultural Congress, held in Kenya in 2009, the Southern African Society for Horticultural Sciences (SASHS) takes pleasure in announcing that the Society, under the aegis of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS), will host the 2nd All Africa Horticulture Congress (AAHC 2012) in the renowned Kruger National Park in South Africa. Under the theme: "Horticulture for Humanity", the Congress will take place at the recently completed conference facility at Skukuza from 15-20 January 2012. Please note that this means that the SASHS will not take part in the Combined Congress to be held in Potchefstroom in January 2012. We hope to see SASHS members at the 2nd All Africa Horticulture Congress in Skukuza!
AAHC2012 will feature a comprehensive Congress programme and aims to bring together international scientists and other stakeholders involved in diverse agricultural endeavours in Africa, providing a platform that will promote communication, collaboration and the sharing of knowledge and expertise for the benefit of our continent and its people. The Congress will further strengthen the voice of African agriculturists in their respective communities and industries. A number of mid-congress technical visits / networking trips will be provided, as well as sight-seeing tours to places of interest in the Lowveld Region.
The Kruger National Park is situated 67 km from Nelspruit, the capital city of Mpumulanga Province. The Region is serviced by the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which has connecting flights to various destinations within South Africa as well as neighbouring countries, and is only a 60 minute drive from Skukuza. Connecting flights to Skukuza airfield are available from certain airports within South Africa.
"We look forward to renewing acquaintances with delegates from the previous Congress and taking the opportunity to make new friends!" - the 2nd AAHC Organising Committte.
Please visit the Congress website on www.aahc.co.za! Remember that if you are a paid-up member of the SASHS you receive a discounted registration rate for AAHC 2012!
Warmest regards,
Karin
