Change the world

06/06/2012

Professor Andrew Leitch, Executive Dean of NMMU’s Faculty of Science and Dr Jaap Steenkamp, Program Coordinator: Forestry in the faculty’s School of Natural Resource Management at George Campus (Saasveld) recently touched base with this important industry when they attended the Annual General Meeting of Forestry SA (FSA) in Pietermaritzburg.

Prof Leitch addressed the FSA Executive Committee and explained the position of NMMU as a leader in natural resource management. He also elaborated on how the integration (from 1 January 2012) of the School of Natural Resource Management (George) into the Faculty of Science, as one of the four schools within this faculty,  will benefit both students and the industry and how various synergies could be created.

A new curriculum will be introduced over the next few years and forestry qualifications will run from National Diploma level right to doctoral level.  The integration with the Faculty of Science will contribute to access to increased research capacity while the high levels of management training will be retained.  Prof Leitch also unveiled plans to increase capacity in silviculture at Saasveld with a commitment to serve the forestry industry.

Prof Leitch extended an invitation to members of the FSA Executive to attend the Advisory Board meeting of the Forestry Programme that will also be held in Pietermaritzburg early in June.

Prof Andrew Leitch

Prof Andrew Leitch (left), Executive Dean, Faculty of Science, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Mr Steven Ngubane, Business Development Director and Mr Roger Godsmark, Operations Director from Forestry SA made good use of the opportunity to network after the Forestry SA Annual General Meeting held in Pietermaritzburg recently.

Contact information
Ms Alet van Tonder
Manager: Marketing & Corporate Relations
Tel: 27 44 801 5098
alet.vantonder@mandela.ac.za