Developing strategies for creating an environmental focus in a school: narrating the change process
- Authors: Hope, Megan Samantha
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Environmental education Educational change School environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008093
- Description: Effective environmental education goes beyond raising environmental awareness and developing positive environmental values, to the encouragement of personal responsibility and action in response to contextual environmental issues in particular. The whole school approach has been advocated as the best approach to environmental education, based on the assumption that the values and attitudes espoused in the classroom need to be reflected in the day-to-day school practice. By practising what they teach, schools reinforce values with action. In contrast, inconsistencies between the formal and non-formal curriculum may lead young people to question the integrity of their teachers or condition them to accept such inconsistencies as cultural and social norms, which in turn may lead to apathy about the environment. Adjustments to the ethos of a school to foreground the environment, both within the curriculum , the management of the school and the behaviour of teachers, pupils and support staff, is not a straightforward undertaking. Institutional factors influence the change process in schools and each school presents a unique context. It is, therefore, difficult to develop a general strategy for the evolution of an environmental ethos. This case study narrates an attempt to implement a change towards an improved environmental focus in a school, and focuses on developing an understanding of how available resources can assist this process while engaging with complexity of change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Hope, Megan Samantha
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Environmental education Educational change School environment
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1946 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008093
- Description: Effective environmental education goes beyond raising environmental awareness and developing positive environmental values, to the encouragement of personal responsibility and action in response to contextual environmental issues in particular. The whole school approach has been advocated as the best approach to environmental education, based on the assumption that the values and attitudes espoused in the classroom need to be reflected in the day-to-day school practice. By practising what they teach, schools reinforce values with action. In contrast, inconsistencies between the formal and non-formal curriculum may lead young people to question the integrity of their teachers or condition them to accept such inconsistencies as cultural and social norms, which in turn may lead to apathy about the environment. Adjustments to the ethos of a school to foreground the environment, both within the curriculum , the management of the school and the behaviour of teachers, pupils and support staff, is not a straightforward undertaking. Institutional factors influence the change process in schools and each school presents a unique context. It is, therefore, difficult to develop a general strategy for the evolution of an environmental ethos. This case study narrates an attempt to implement a change towards an improved environmental focus in a school, and focuses on developing an understanding of how available resources can assist this process while engaging with complexity of change.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Phylogeography and comparative ecophysiology of Chrysanthemoides Turn. Ex Medik. (Tribe Calenduleae)
- Authors: Howis, Seranne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Chrysanthemoides , Phylogeny , Ecophysiology , DNA , Plant genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4256 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008189
- Description: Chrysanthem Oides is a common Southern African shrub that grows in a variety of habitats. From coastal shrubland and fynbos to mountainous areas as far north as Kenya. The genus has two species and 8 subspecies. The diagnoses and delimitation of which have been based almost exclusively on morphological characteristics. This project aims to investigate, with the use of phylogenetic species concepts. The validity of these subspecies. Unlike biological species concepts that rely on reproductive isolation as a defining character of a species. Phylogenetic species concepts (PSC) are concerned with delimiting evolutionary significant units (ESUs). ESUs are evolutionarily isolated lineages, and under the PSC a species is an aggregation of organisms consistently diagnosable by a fixed character or combination of characters. This project therefore searched for genetic and physiological characters by which to delimit ESUs within the Cill), samhemoides genus. DNA sequencing was used to investigate the genetic characters, while gas exchange studies were used to investigate the ecophysiological characters. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the ESUs can be diagnosed by genetic means and that one species may be of hybrid origin. Field studies of three disparate genetically identifiable ESUs from three disparate climates found that there are noticeable differences in ecophysiological responses of these ESUs in the field. Plants from each ESU were transferred to a greenhouse and grown under identical conditions for several months and compared to determine if these traits are inherent, or elastic in relation to environmental conditions. Under simulated high rainfall conditions. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the photosynthetic traits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Phylogeography and comparative ecophysiology of Chrysanthemoides Turn. Ex Medik. (Tribe Calenduleae)
- Authors: Howis, Seranne
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Chrysanthemoides , Phylogeny , Ecophysiology , DNA , Plant genetics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4256 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008189
- Description: Chrysanthem Oides is a common Southern African shrub that grows in a variety of habitats. From coastal shrubland and fynbos to mountainous areas as far north as Kenya. The genus has two species and 8 subspecies. The diagnoses and delimitation of which have been based almost exclusively on morphological characteristics. This project aims to investigate, with the use of phylogenetic species concepts. The validity of these subspecies. Unlike biological species concepts that rely on reproductive isolation as a defining character of a species. Phylogenetic species concepts (PSC) are concerned with delimiting evolutionary significant units (ESUs). ESUs are evolutionarily isolated lineages, and under the PSC a species is an aggregation of organisms consistently diagnosable by a fixed character or combination of characters. This project therefore searched for genetic and physiological characters by which to delimit ESUs within the Cill), samhemoides genus. DNA sequencing was used to investigate the genetic characters, while gas exchange studies were used to investigate the ecophysiological characters. DNA sequence analysis indicated that the ESUs can be diagnosed by genetic means and that one species may be of hybrid origin. Field studies of three disparate genetically identifiable ESUs from three disparate climates found that there are noticeable differences in ecophysiological responses of these ESUs in the field. Plants from each ESU were transferred to a greenhouse and grown under identical conditions for several months and compared to determine if these traits are inherent, or elastic in relation to environmental conditions. Under simulated high rainfall conditions. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the photosynthetic traits.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Service provisioning in two open-source SIP implementation, cinema and vocal
- Authors: Hsieh, Ming Chih
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008195 , Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Description: The distribution of real-time multimedia streams is seen nowadays as the next step forward for the Internet. One of the most obvious uses of such streams is to support telephony over the Internet, replacing and improving traditional telephony. This thesis investigates the development and deployment of services in two Internet telephony environments, namely CINEMA (Columbia InterNet Extensible Multimedia Architecture) and VOCAL (Vovida Open Communication Application Library), both based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and open-sourced. A classification of services is proposed, which divides services into two large groups: basic and advanced services. Basic services are services such as making point-to-point calls, registering with the server and making calls via the server. Any other service is considered an advanced service. Advanced services are defined by four categories: Call Related, Interactive, Internetworking and Hybrid. New services were implemented for the Call Related, Interactive and Internetworking categories. First, features involving call blocking, call screening and missed calls were implemented in the two environments in order to investigate Call-related services. Next, a notification feature was implemented in both environments in order to investigate Interactive services. Finally, a translator between MGCP and SIP was developed to investigate an Internetworking service in the VOCAL environment. The practical implementation of the new features just described was used to answer questions about the location of the services, as well as the level of required expertise and the ease or difficulty experienced in creating services in each of the two environments. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hsieh, Ming Chih
- Date: 2013-06-18
- Subjects: Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4687 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008195 , Real-time data processing , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony , Digital telephone systems , Communication -- Technological innovations
- Description: The distribution of real-time multimedia streams is seen nowadays as the next step forward for the Internet. One of the most obvious uses of such streams is to support telephony over the Internet, replacing and improving traditional telephony. This thesis investigates the development and deployment of services in two Internet telephony environments, namely CINEMA (Columbia InterNet Extensible Multimedia Architecture) and VOCAL (Vovida Open Communication Application Library), both based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and open-sourced. A classification of services is proposed, which divides services into two large groups: basic and advanced services. Basic services are services such as making point-to-point calls, registering with the server and making calls via the server. Any other service is considered an advanced service. Advanced services are defined by four categories: Call Related, Interactive, Internetworking and Hybrid. New services were implemented for the Call Related, Interactive and Internetworking categories. First, features involving call blocking, call screening and missed calls were implemented in the two environments in order to investigate Call-related services. Next, a notification feature was implemented in both environments in order to investigate Interactive services. Finally, a translator between MGCP and SIP was developed to investigate an Internetworking service in the VOCAL environment. The practical implementation of the new features just described was used to answer questions about the location of the services, as well as the level of required expertise and the ease or difficulty experienced in creating services in each of the two environments. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
An investigation into the pharmacological properties of propolis
- Authors: Hu, Fuliang
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Propolis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007955
- Description: Propolis is a traditional value-added product from beekeeping, and has been widely used in medicine and the chemical industry because of its extensive biological activities. In this dissertation some pharmacological properties of propolis extracted by ethanol (EEP) and water (WSP) were studied by means of modem pharmacological methods. The results of the experiments show the following: 1. Both EEP and WSD led to decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c), Fructosamine (FRU), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in the serum of fasting rats; and, to increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats with diabetes mellitus. This suggests that propolis can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose, blood lipid and protein, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus. 2. Both EEP and WSD showed inhibitory effects on swelling induced by Freund's complete adjuvant and decreased the degree of local inflammatory responses; significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-6 (lL-6) in inflamed tissues, but had no significant effect on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-y (IFN-y). The results are consistent with the interpretation that EEP and WSD may exert these effects by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of mononuclear macrophages. 3. Both EEP and WSD exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models with respect to thoracic capillary vessel leakage in mice, Carrageenan-induced oedema, Carrageen-aninduced pleurisy and acute lung damage in rats. The mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects probably involve decreasing prostaglandin and NO levels. 4. Both EEP and WSD had an inhibitory effect on the level of TG, TC, LDL-C, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) in serum, and TC, TG and MDA in liver of hyperlipidemic SD rats; but were without effects on HDL-C, MDA, SOD and NO in serum. EEP also reduced body weight, liver weight and liver index, but WSD did not reduce those indexes. The results showed that the two extracts contribute to the improvement of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats and provide them with the required anti-oxidative activity. 5. The 80% ethanol extracts of propolis had the highest flavonoid content. The flavone content of water extracts of propolis were obtained with a natural surface-active agent, under ultrasonic perturbation at 80°C, for 12 h and was 6.7 times greater than that of propolis extracted with water at room temperature. Compared to EEP, WSD has the same or a greater anti-tumor or anti-inflammation effect at the same dosage, and shows considerable pharmacological potential especially because of its low side effects and ease of preparation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Hu, Fuliang
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Propolis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5831 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007955
- Description: Propolis is a traditional value-added product from beekeeping, and has been widely used in medicine and the chemical industry because of its extensive biological activities. In this dissertation some pharmacological properties of propolis extracted by ethanol (EEP) and water (WSP) were studied by means of modem pharmacological methods. The results of the experiments show the following: 1. Both EEP and WSD led to decreased levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c), Fructosamine (FRU), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), malonaldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthetase (NOS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very-low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) in the serum of fasting rats; and, to increased serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in rats with diabetes mellitus. This suggests that propolis can control blood glucose and modulate the metabolism of glucose, blood lipid and protein, leading to decreased outputs of lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals in rats with diabetes mellitus. 2. Both EEP and WSD showed inhibitory effects on swelling induced by Freund's complete adjuvant and decreased the degree of local inflammatory responses; significantly inhibited the increase of interleukin-6 (lL-6) in inflamed tissues, but had no significant effect on levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-y (IFN-y). The results are consistent with the interpretation that EEP and WSD may exert these effects by inhibiting the activation and differentiation of mononuclear macrophages. 3. Both EEP and WSD exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in animal models with respect to thoracic capillary vessel leakage in mice, Carrageenan-induced oedema, Carrageen-aninduced pleurisy and acute lung damage in rats. The mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory effects probably involve decreasing prostaglandin and NO levels. 4. Both EEP and WSD had an inhibitory effect on the level of TG, TC, LDL-C, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT) in serum, and TC, TG and MDA in liver of hyperlipidemic SD rats; but were without effects on HDL-C, MDA, SOD and NO in serum. EEP also reduced body weight, liver weight and liver index, but WSD did not reduce those indexes. The results showed that the two extracts contribute to the improvement of lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic rats and provide them with the required anti-oxidative activity. 5. The 80% ethanol extracts of propolis had the highest flavonoid content. The flavone content of water extracts of propolis were obtained with a natural surface-active agent, under ultrasonic perturbation at 80°C, for 12 h and was 6.7 times greater than that of propolis extracted with water at room temperature. Compared to EEP, WSD has the same or a greater anti-tumor or anti-inflammation effect at the same dosage, and shows considerable pharmacological potential especially because of its low side effects and ease of preparation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Brand awareness of students at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Authors: Huang, Wei
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brand name products , Brand choice , Consumers' preferences , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/187 , Brand name products , Brand choice , Consumers' preferences , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Description: To ensure a long-term successful product brand, it is important to build brand awareness, to reach the consumer’s mind, encourage a consumer to develop a preference and eventually provide a positive contribution to consumer decision-making. Therefore, there is a need to understand and identify the role of brand awareness in the purchase process. An understanding of students as consumers and their brand awareness is important to marketers, particularly as students are recognised as a specialised market segment for a variety of products. The research focused on identifying the differences, if any, in brand awareness and its role in students’ purchase of sportswear clothing and sportswear shoes (high-involvement products) and coffee (a low-involvement product). A drop-off survey was used to collect the required empirical data from a convenience sample of 450 students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The empirical findings showed that students were more aware of sportswear clothing and shoe brands than of coffee brands. Advertising played an important role in the awareness of sportswear shoes and clothing brands, but seemed unimportant in the case of coffee. Brand elements were found to enhance brand awareness. The brand name was important for coffee, while the name and the logo played a role in students’ awareness of sportswear brands. The study deduced that differences in brand awareness between high-involvement and low-involvement products exist among the students. Marketers thus need to choose appropriate strategies to create and increase brand awareness for the different products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Huang, Wei
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Brand name products , Brand choice , Consumers' preferences , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:9350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/187 , Brand name products , Brand choice , Consumers' preferences , Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University -- Students -- Attitudes
- Description: To ensure a long-term successful product brand, it is important to build brand awareness, to reach the consumer’s mind, encourage a consumer to develop a preference and eventually provide a positive contribution to consumer decision-making. Therefore, there is a need to understand and identify the role of brand awareness in the purchase process. An understanding of students as consumers and their brand awareness is important to marketers, particularly as students are recognised as a specialised market segment for a variety of products. The research focused on identifying the differences, if any, in brand awareness and its role in students’ purchase of sportswear clothing and sportswear shoes (high-involvement products) and coffee (a low-involvement product). A drop-off survey was used to collect the required empirical data from a convenience sample of 450 students enrolled at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The empirical findings showed that students were more aware of sportswear clothing and shoe brands than of coffee brands. Advertising played an important role in the awareness of sportswear shoes and clothing brands, but seemed unimportant in the case of coffee. Brand elements were found to enhance brand awareness. The brand name was important for coffee, while the name and the logo played a role in students’ awareness of sportswear brands. The study deduced that differences in brand awareness between high-involvement and low-involvement products exist among the students. Marketers thus need to choose appropriate strategies to create and increase brand awareness for the different products.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Some (more) features of conversation amongst women friends:
- Authors: Hunt, Sally
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139149 , vital:37709 , DOI: 10.2989/16073610509486400
- Description: This paper provides an analysis of a conversation between young women friends, which is analysed in terms of Coates’ (1988; 1997; 1999) work on the features of conversation amongst female friends. Coates identifies a number of features which, she says, are typical of conversation between (adult) female friends: a domestic setting, female participants, topics relating to people and feelings, and various formal features including smooth topic development, frequent minimal responses, supportive forms of simultaneous speech and epistemic modality (‘softening’ strategies, including tag questions) (Coates, 1988: 97). The overarching function, she claims, is one of solidarity-building and support: ‘the maintenance of good social relationships’ and ‘the reaffirming and strengthening of friendship’ (Coates, 1988: 98). While this last feature, the function of conversation between women friends, is borne out by the extract to be analysed, the participants in my study utilise different strategies to accomplish it and, in several respects, do not utilise the other features Coates claims to be typical. The research shows, through a detailed analysis of a nineminute extract from a conversation between three women friends, that the features assumed by Coates to be central conversational strategies in the building of female friendship are not the only ways for women to accomplish this function.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
- Authors: Hunt, Sally
- Date: 2009
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/139149 , vital:37709 , DOI: 10.2989/16073610509486400
- Description: This paper provides an analysis of a conversation between young women friends, which is analysed in terms of Coates’ (1988; 1997; 1999) work on the features of conversation amongst female friends. Coates identifies a number of features which, she says, are typical of conversation between (adult) female friends: a domestic setting, female participants, topics relating to people and feelings, and various formal features including smooth topic development, frequent minimal responses, supportive forms of simultaneous speech and epistemic modality (‘softening’ strategies, including tag questions) (Coates, 1988: 97). The overarching function, she claims, is one of solidarity-building and support: ‘the maintenance of good social relationships’ and ‘the reaffirming and strengthening of friendship’ (Coates, 1988: 98). While this last feature, the function of conversation between women friends, is borne out by the extract to be analysed, the participants in my study utilise different strategies to accomplish it and, in several respects, do not utilise the other features Coates claims to be typical. The research shows, through a detailed analysis of a nineminute extract from a conversation between three women friends, that the features assumed by Coates to be central conversational strategies in the building of female friendship are not the only ways for women to accomplish this function.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2009
Study South Africa
- International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA), Kishun, Roshen
- Authors: International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) , Kishun, Roshen
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and globalization -- South Africa Student mobility -- Africa International education -- South Africa Education, Higher -- International cooperation , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Technical Institutes -- South Africa , Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65344 , vital:28751 , ISBN 0123218931
- Description: [Message from the President of IEASA, Dr Roshen Kishun]: We salute the thousands of South Africans From diverse racial backgrounds who 50 years ago put forward their vision, encapsulated in the Freedom Charter, to keep doors of education open. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic event we are aware of the Foundations laid then to allow us to reconnect to the world. In choosing “lessons in diversity' as the theme For the Sth edition of Study South Africa we support the need For South African higher education to keep its doors open in meeting the development challenges of Africa. The year 2005 has been described as critical For Africa because of a number of Factors that have come together. These include the New Partnership For Africa’s Development which spells out action plans to tackle some of the more intractable problems that Africa Faces, the Formation of the African Union with clear guidelines For governance and peace, and the Pan-African Parliament which promotes the concept of working together to solve the continent's problems. The launch of the Southern African Regional Universities Association in early 2005 by 45 of the region’s vice-chancellors recognised that the excellence and sustainability of university education, research and development will be a leading contributor to Future growth and poverty alleviation. Despite the tides of limited resources, external demands and internal policy challenges, the vice-chancellors were unequivocally committed to advancing the development agenda of higher education on the African continent. Critically, in recent years there has been acknowledgement of the ability of higher education to bring about economic and democratic reforms, as evidenced by the commitment and concerted efforts made by Foundations and funding agencies to support the improvement of higher education institutions in Africa. Most important from our perspective is the support for the ’’renewal’’ of higher education institutions as they are considered to be key vehicles For development on the continent. The Commission For Africa report, published in March 2005, endorses the Association of African Universities, Association of Commonwealth Universities and Higher Education South Africa’s joint 10-year partnership programme, Renewing the African University, The partnership programme calls, among other things, For constructive engagement between states and higher education institutions, increasing North-South and South-South collaboration, internationalisation of the curriculum and partnerships between universities and the corporate sector. The Commission makes clear its conviction that higher education's contribution to building professional skills and knowledge is key to achieving Fundamental development changes. The need for centres of excellence in science, technology and engineering is highlighted as key to Future development and growth. Higher education institutions need to be the “breeding ground For the skilled individuals whom the continent needs". The report stresses the need For urgent attention to be given to the management of natural resources, of Forests and water, improving sanitation and strengthening health systems to deal with pandemics such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV-Aids. Other important developments needed are building the human and institutional capacity for good governance and strengthening leadership in public life, civil society and business. In Focusing on the theme “lessons in diversity’ the Guide captures the richness of the various “diversities ' in the South African higher education landscape. It describes the radical transformation of higher education in South Africa over more than a decade. It identifies South Africa's research system as being “by Far the biggest in Africa” and demonstrates the important role South African higher education can play in meeting the challenges of Africa. I hope that the information provided will allow those interested in South African education to make informed choices. , 5th Edition
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: International Education Association of South Africa (IEASA) , Kishun, Roshen
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Education, Higher -- South Africa , Education and globalization -- South Africa Student mobility -- Africa International education -- South Africa Education, Higher -- International cooperation , Universities and colleges -- South Africa , Technical Institutes -- South Africa , Vocational guidance -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/65344 , vital:28751 , ISBN 0123218931
- Description: [Message from the President of IEASA, Dr Roshen Kishun]: We salute the thousands of South Africans From diverse racial backgrounds who 50 years ago put forward their vision, encapsulated in the Freedom Charter, to keep doors of education open. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic event we are aware of the Foundations laid then to allow us to reconnect to the world. In choosing “lessons in diversity' as the theme For the Sth edition of Study South Africa we support the need For South African higher education to keep its doors open in meeting the development challenges of Africa. The year 2005 has been described as critical For Africa because of a number of Factors that have come together. These include the New Partnership For Africa’s Development which spells out action plans to tackle some of the more intractable problems that Africa Faces, the Formation of the African Union with clear guidelines For governance and peace, and the Pan-African Parliament which promotes the concept of working together to solve the continent's problems. The launch of the Southern African Regional Universities Association in early 2005 by 45 of the region’s vice-chancellors recognised that the excellence and sustainability of university education, research and development will be a leading contributor to Future growth and poverty alleviation. Despite the tides of limited resources, external demands and internal policy challenges, the vice-chancellors were unequivocally committed to advancing the development agenda of higher education on the African continent. Critically, in recent years there has been acknowledgement of the ability of higher education to bring about economic and democratic reforms, as evidenced by the commitment and concerted efforts made by Foundations and funding agencies to support the improvement of higher education institutions in Africa. Most important from our perspective is the support for the ’’renewal’’ of higher education institutions as they are considered to be key vehicles For development on the continent. The Commission For Africa report, published in March 2005, endorses the Association of African Universities, Association of Commonwealth Universities and Higher Education South Africa’s joint 10-year partnership programme, Renewing the African University, The partnership programme calls, among other things, For constructive engagement between states and higher education institutions, increasing North-South and South-South collaboration, internationalisation of the curriculum and partnerships between universities and the corporate sector. The Commission makes clear its conviction that higher education's contribution to building professional skills and knowledge is key to achieving Fundamental development changes. The need for centres of excellence in science, technology and engineering is highlighted as key to Future development and growth. Higher education institutions need to be the “breeding ground For the skilled individuals whom the continent needs". The report stresses the need For urgent attention to be given to the management of natural resources, of Forests and water, improving sanitation and strengthening health systems to deal with pandemics such as malaria, tuberculosis and HIV-Aids. Other important developments needed are building the human and institutional capacity for good governance and strengthening leadership in public life, civil society and business. In Focusing on the theme “lessons in diversity’ the Guide captures the richness of the various “diversities ' in the South African higher education landscape. It describes the radical transformation of higher education in South Africa over more than a decade. It identifies South Africa's research system as being “by Far the biggest in Africa” and demonstrates the important role South African higher education can play in meeting the challenges of Africa. I hope that the information provided will allow those interested in South African education to make informed choices. , 5th Edition
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Investigating call control using MGCP in conjuction with SIP and H.323
- Authors: Jacobs, Ashley
- Date: 2005 , 2005-03-14
- Subjects: Communication -- Technological innovations , Digital telephone systems , Computer networks , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4631 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006516 , Communication -- Technological innovations , Digital telephone systems , Computer networks , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony
- Description: Telephony used to mean using a telephone to call another telephone on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and data networks were used purely to allow computers to communicate. However, with the advent of the Internet, telephony services have been extended to run on data networks. Telephone calls within the IP network are known as Voice over IP. These calls are carried by a number of protocols, with the most popular ones currently being Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323. Calls can be made from the IP network to the PSTN and vice versa through the use of a gateway. The gateway translates the packets from the IP network to circuits on the PSTN and vice versa to facilitate calls between the two networks. Gateways have evolved and are now split into two entities using the master/slave architecture. The master is an intelligent Media Gateway Controller (MGC) that handles the call control and signalling. The slave is a "dumb" Media Gateway (MG) that handles the translation of the media. The current gateway control protocols in use are Megaco/H.248, MGCP and Skinny. These protocols have proved themselves on the edge of the network. Furthermore, since they communicate with the call signalling VoIP protocols as well as the PSTN, they have to be the lingua franca between the two networks. Within the VoIP network, the numbers of call signalling protocols make it difficult to communicate with each other and to create services. This research investigates the use of Gateway Control Protocols as the lowest common denominator between the call signalling protocols SIP and H.323. More specifically, it uses MGCP to investigate service creation. It also considers the use of MGCP as a protocol translator between SIP and H.323. A service was created using MGCP to allow H.323 endpoints to send Short Message Service (SMS) messages. This service was then extended with minimal effort to SIP endpoints. This service investigated MGCP’s ability to handle call control from the H.323 and SIP endpoints. An MGC was then successfully used to perform as a protocol translator between SIP and H.323.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jacobs, Ashley
- Date: 2005 , 2005-03-14
- Subjects: Communication -- Technological innovations , Digital telephone systems , Computer networks , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4631 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006516 , Communication -- Technological innovations , Digital telephone systems , Computer networks , Computer network protocols , Internet telephony
- Description: Telephony used to mean using a telephone to call another telephone on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and data networks were used purely to allow computers to communicate. However, with the advent of the Internet, telephony services have been extended to run on data networks. Telephone calls within the IP network are known as Voice over IP. These calls are carried by a number of protocols, with the most popular ones currently being Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323. Calls can be made from the IP network to the PSTN and vice versa through the use of a gateway. The gateway translates the packets from the IP network to circuits on the PSTN and vice versa to facilitate calls between the two networks. Gateways have evolved and are now split into two entities using the master/slave architecture. The master is an intelligent Media Gateway Controller (MGC) that handles the call control and signalling. The slave is a "dumb" Media Gateway (MG) that handles the translation of the media. The current gateway control protocols in use are Megaco/H.248, MGCP and Skinny. These protocols have proved themselves on the edge of the network. Furthermore, since they communicate with the call signalling VoIP protocols as well as the PSTN, they have to be the lingua franca between the two networks. Within the VoIP network, the numbers of call signalling protocols make it difficult to communicate with each other and to create services. This research investigates the use of Gateway Control Protocols as the lowest common denominator between the call signalling protocols SIP and H.323. More specifically, it uses MGCP to investigate service creation. It also considers the use of MGCP as a protocol translator between SIP and H.323. A service was created using MGCP to allow H.323 endpoints to send Short Message Service (SMS) messages. This service was then extended with minimal effort to SIP endpoints. This service investigated MGCP’s ability to handle call control from the H.323 and SIP endpoints. An MGC was then successfully used to perform as a protocol translator between SIP and H.323.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation into improved ionospheric F1 layer predictions over Grahamstown, South Africa
- Authors: Jacobs, Linda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008094 , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Description: This thesis describes an analysis of the F1 layer data obtained from the Grahamstown (33.32°S, 26.500 E), South Africa ionospheric station and the use of this data in improving a Neural Network (NN) based model of the F1 layer of the ionosphere. An application for real-time ray tracing through the South African ionosphere was identified, and for this application real-time evaluation of the electron density profile is essential. Raw real-time virtual height data are provided by a Lowell Digisonde (DPS), which employs the automatic scaling software, ARTIST whose output includes the virtual-toreal height data conversion. Experience has shown that there are times when the ray tracing performance is degraded because of difficulties surrounding the real-time characterization of the F1 region by ARTIST. Therefore available DPS data from the archives of the Grahamstown station were re-scaled manually in order to establish the extent of the problem and the times and conditions under which most inaccuracies occur. The re-scaled data were used to update the F1 contribution of an existing NN based ionospheric model, the LAM model, which predicts the values of the parameters required to produce an electron density profile. This thesis describes the development of three separate NNs required to predict the ionospheric characteristics and coefficients that are required to describe the F1 layer profile. Inputs to the NNs include day number, hour and measures of solar and magnetic activity. Outputs include the value of the critical frequency of the F1 layer, foF1, the real height of reflection at the peak, hmFl, as well as information on the state of the F1 layer. All data from the Grahamstown station from 1973 to 2003 was used to train these NNs. Tests show that the predictive ability of the LAM model has been improved by incorporating the re-scaled data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jacobs, Linda
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5511 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008094 , Ionosphere , Ionospheric electron density -- South Africa -- Grahamstown , Neural networks (Computer Science)
- Description: This thesis describes an analysis of the F1 layer data obtained from the Grahamstown (33.32°S, 26.500 E), South Africa ionospheric station and the use of this data in improving a Neural Network (NN) based model of the F1 layer of the ionosphere. An application for real-time ray tracing through the South African ionosphere was identified, and for this application real-time evaluation of the electron density profile is essential. Raw real-time virtual height data are provided by a Lowell Digisonde (DPS), which employs the automatic scaling software, ARTIST whose output includes the virtual-toreal height data conversion. Experience has shown that there are times when the ray tracing performance is degraded because of difficulties surrounding the real-time characterization of the F1 region by ARTIST. Therefore available DPS data from the archives of the Grahamstown station were re-scaled manually in order to establish the extent of the problem and the times and conditions under which most inaccuracies occur. The re-scaled data were used to update the F1 contribution of an existing NN based ionospheric model, the LAM model, which predicts the values of the parameters required to produce an electron density profile. This thesis describes the development of three separate NNs required to predict the ionospheric characteristics and coefficients that are required to describe the F1 layer profile. Inputs to the NNs include day number, hour and measures of solar and magnetic activity. Outputs include the value of the critical frequency of the F1 layer, foF1, the real height of reflection at the peak, hmFl, as well as information on the state of the F1 layer. All data from the Grahamstown station from 1973 to 2003 was used to train these NNs. Tests show that the predictive ability of the LAM model has been improved by incorporating the re-scaled data.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
The effect of personalised adjustments to computer workstations on the efficiency and physical comfort of computer operators
- Authors: James, Genevieve
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Human engineering , Engineering design , Work environment , Microcomputer workstations -- Health aspects , Occupational diseases -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005190 , Human engineering , Engineering design , Work environment , Microcomputer workstations -- Health aspects , Occupational diseases -- Prevention
- Description: The present study sought to investigate the effects of a Standard workstation, designed for “average” users, on an anthropometrically diverse sample of computer operators, and to assess whether physical and perceptual responses, as well as performance efficiency were dependent on stature. Further investigation assessed the influence of personalised adjustments to the Standard workstation, based on the anthropometric characteristics of the subjects, as well as the introduction of a custom-designed ‘floating’ wrist support, on subject responses. All subjects (n=30) were tested in each of the three workstations: Standard, Personalised and Wrist Support. For analysis of responses in the Standard workstation, subjects were divided into three groups depending on their stature: Short (<1650mm), Medium (1650mm to 1800mm), Tall (>1800mm). The musculoskeletal responses indicated that Tall subjects were forced to adopt the most awkward general body postures as a result of the low computer screen. However, the low screen allowed for the Short subjects to adopt the most natural general body postures, although levels of muscular activity in the upper trapezius suggest that the muscular load imposed on both Short and Tall subjects was significantly greater than that imposed on the Medium subjects. In addition, the Medium subjects’ perceptions of the Standard workstation dimensions support the fact that this workstation was better suited to users with “average” morphologies. The responses elicited in the Personalised and Wrist Support workstations were improved significantly when compared to the Standard workstation. Joint angles were more natural, upper trapezius EMG was reduced, standard of performance improved and perceptual responses indicated a diminished incidence of body and visual discomfort, as well as greater perceived satisfaction with these workstation dimensions. The improved physical responses suggest a decrease in the risk of developing cumulative trauma disorders. Although subjects were unaccustomed to the wrist support device, this workstation demonstrated a further reduction in the range of wrist angles, as well as a general positive attitude towards the concept.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: James, Genevieve
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Human engineering , Engineering design , Work environment , Microcomputer workstations -- Health aspects , Occupational diseases -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5112 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005190 , Human engineering , Engineering design , Work environment , Microcomputer workstations -- Health aspects , Occupational diseases -- Prevention
- Description: The present study sought to investigate the effects of a Standard workstation, designed for “average” users, on an anthropometrically diverse sample of computer operators, and to assess whether physical and perceptual responses, as well as performance efficiency were dependent on stature. Further investigation assessed the influence of personalised adjustments to the Standard workstation, based on the anthropometric characteristics of the subjects, as well as the introduction of a custom-designed ‘floating’ wrist support, on subject responses. All subjects (n=30) were tested in each of the three workstations: Standard, Personalised and Wrist Support. For analysis of responses in the Standard workstation, subjects were divided into three groups depending on their stature: Short (<1650mm), Medium (1650mm to 1800mm), Tall (>1800mm). The musculoskeletal responses indicated that Tall subjects were forced to adopt the most awkward general body postures as a result of the low computer screen. However, the low screen allowed for the Short subjects to adopt the most natural general body postures, although levels of muscular activity in the upper trapezius suggest that the muscular load imposed on both Short and Tall subjects was significantly greater than that imposed on the Medium subjects. In addition, the Medium subjects’ perceptions of the Standard workstation dimensions support the fact that this workstation was better suited to users with “average” morphologies. The responses elicited in the Personalised and Wrist Support workstations were improved significantly when compared to the Standard workstation. Joint angles were more natural, upper trapezius EMG was reduced, standard of performance improved and perceptual responses indicated a diminished incidence of body and visual discomfort, as well as greater perceived satisfaction with these workstation dimensions. The improved physical responses suggest a decrease in the risk of developing cumulative trauma disorders. Although subjects were unaccustomed to the wrist support device, this workstation demonstrated a further reduction in the range of wrist angles, as well as a general positive attitude towards the concept.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
On the growth and characterisation of AIGaN alloys for optoelectronic applications
- Authors: James, Grant Robert
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Gallium nitride -- Electric properties , Photoluminescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8824 , vital:26433
- Description: In this study the growth and characterisation of undoped and Si-doped AlxGa1-xN has been performed. The layers were grown using low-pressure metalorganic vapour phase deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire substrates. The optical and electrical properties of the AlxGa1-xN layers were studied using variable temperature Hall effect and photoluminescence measurements. AlxGa1-xN layers were grown over the entire composition range. Room temperature ultraviolet (UV) transmission measurements showed that the material quality was very good for layers with an Al content, x, of 0 _ x _ 0.5. However, the quality of layers of higher composition was seen to rapidly decrease with increasing x. The electrical and optical properties of AlxGa1-xN with x < 0.5 were also good, comparable to those reported on in literature. The study of the Si-doping of AlxGa1-xN was performed in two parts; firstly a series of Al0.23Ga0.77N samples was grown in which the doping level was increased from zero to n _ 3 × 1018 cm-3. A similar, albeit a less rigorous, study was performed for Al0.41Ga0.59N and Al0.5Ga0.5N. A second series of samples was then grown in which the doping level was kept constant, while the Al content was incrementally increased. Room temperature Hall effect measurements performed on Si-doped Al0.23Ga0.77N showed that the electron concentration did not scale linearly with the silane flow, as was the case in GaN. It was also seen that the electron mobility of the layers increased with slight Si-doping, possibly due to an improvement in the crystalline quality and/or a change in the conduction mechanism. It was also found that at higher compositions (x = 0.41 and 0.50) an increase in the doping level resulted in an increase in the mobility. Variable temperature Hall effect and photoluminescence measurements, performed on the Al0.23Ga0.77N samples, revealed a good correlation between the first PL activation energy E1 and the donor activation energy ED, prompting the conclusion that the first PL recombination channel in AlxGa1-xN is due to the delocalisation of excitons bound at neutral Si donors. Furthermore, E1 and ED were seen to decrease with n1/3, as is the case for GaN and other semiconductor materials. It was also observed that strong exciton localisation occurs in slightly Si-doped material, with the amount of localization becoming less at higher doping levels. Possible mechanisms responsible for the second PL recombination channel of activation energy E2 were also proposed. The electrical and optical properties of the second set of AlxGa1-xN samples was then studied. The PL properties of undoped AlxGa1-xN were typical of a homogeneous alloy system, with the increase in the PL FWHM and exciton localisation energies with x following the trend predicted by alloy disorder theory. The variation of the band gap energy with the Al content could not, however, be fitted over the entire composition range using a single bowing parameter. It was proposed that this was due either to an effect of the 9 7 valence band crossover, or due to exciton localisation at alloy disorder and/or impurities. As was the case for GaN and Al0.23Ga0.77N, all undoped material was highly resistive. As was mentioned earlier, the exciton localisation energies increased according to alloy disorder theory in undoped AlxGa1-xN. In the doped samples, however, a large increase in the donor localisation energy was measured for x > 0.3. The possibility that Si could become a DX-centre in AlxGa1-xN was then investigated. However, Hall effect measurements showed that the Si activation energy increased in good agreement with the model of a shallow effective mass state donor, with no sudden increase in ED being observed up to x = 0.4. It was then suggested that the increase in the E1 and E2 activation energies, as well as the exciton localisation energies, could be due to the 9 7 valence band crossover, which occurs at roughly the same composition. However, due to the scarcity of reports on the valence band structure in AlxGa1-xN no conclusions could be made at this stage as to the effect of the 9 7 valence band crossover on the PL properties of AlxGa1-xN.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: James, Grant Robert
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Gallium nitride -- Electric properties , Photoluminescence
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/8824 , vital:26433
- Description: In this study the growth and characterisation of undoped and Si-doped AlxGa1-xN has been performed. The layers were grown using low-pressure metalorganic vapour phase deposition (MOCVD) on sapphire substrates. The optical and electrical properties of the AlxGa1-xN layers were studied using variable temperature Hall effect and photoluminescence measurements. AlxGa1-xN layers were grown over the entire composition range. Room temperature ultraviolet (UV) transmission measurements showed that the material quality was very good for layers with an Al content, x, of 0 _ x _ 0.5. However, the quality of layers of higher composition was seen to rapidly decrease with increasing x. The electrical and optical properties of AlxGa1-xN with x < 0.5 were also good, comparable to those reported on in literature. The study of the Si-doping of AlxGa1-xN was performed in two parts; firstly a series of Al0.23Ga0.77N samples was grown in which the doping level was increased from zero to n _ 3 × 1018 cm-3. A similar, albeit a less rigorous, study was performed for Al0.41Ga0.59N and Al0.5Ga0.5N. A second series of samples was then grown in which the doping level was kept constant, while the Al content was incrementally increased. Room temperature Hall effect measurements performed on Si-doped Al0.23Ga0.77N showed that the electron concentration did not scale linearly with the silane flow, as was the case in GaN. It was also seen that the electron mobility of the layers increased with slight Si-doping, possibly due to an improvement in the crystalline quality and/or a change in the conduction mechanism. It was also found that at higher compositions (x = 0.41 and 0.50) an increase in the doping level resulted in an increase in the mobility. Variable temperature Hall effect and photoluminescence measurements, performed on the Al0.23Ga0.77N samples, revealed a good correlation between the first PL activation energy E1 and the donor activation energy ED, prompting the conclusion that the first PL recombination channel in AlxGa1-xN is due to the delocalisation of excitons bound at neutral Si donors. Furthermore, E1 and ED were seen to decrease with n1/3, as is the case for GaN and other semiconductor materials. It was also observed that strong exciton localisation occurs in slightly Si-doped material, with the amount of localization becoming less at higher doping levels. Possible mechanisms responsible for the second PL recombination channel of activation energy E2 were also proposed. The electrical and optical properties of the second set of AlxGa1-xN samples was then studied. The PL properties of undoped AlxGa1-xN were typical of a homogeneous alloy system, with the increase in the PL FWHM and exciton localisation energies with x following the trend predicted by alloy disorder theory. The variation of the band gap energy with the Al content could not, however, be fitted over the entire composition range using a single bowing parameter. It was proposed that this was due either to an effect of the 9 7 valence band crossover, or due to exciton localisation at alloy disorder and/or impurities. As was the case for GaN and Al0.23Ga0.77N, all undoped material was highly resistive. As was mentioned earlier, the exciton localisation energies increased according to alloy disorder theory in undoped AlxGa1-xN. In the doped samples, however, a large increase in the donor localisation energy was measured for x > 0.3. The possibility that Si could become a DX-centre in AlxGa1-xN was then investigated. However, Hall effect measurements showed that the Si activation energy increased in good agreement with the model of a shallow effective mass state donor, with no sudden increase in ED being observed up to x = 0.4. It was then suggested that the increase in the E1 and E2 activation energies, as well as the exciton localisation energies, could be due to the 9 7 valence band crossover, which occurs at roughly the same composition. However, due to the scarcity of reports on the valence band structure in AlxGa1-xN no conclusions could be made at this stage as to the effect of the 9 7 valence band crossover on the PL properties of AlxGa1-xN.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation of female leaders' perceptions of organisational culture and leadership in a Catholic High School
- Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Authors: Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Catholic schools -- South Africa -- Administration School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Corporate culture -- South Africa Women school administrators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003507
- Description: For the past thirty years, leadership theories have focused on the importance of the individual within the school organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individuals working in the same organisation shape the school’s organisational culture, and organisational culture is a salient factor which should be considered when understanding educational leadership. The focus of my study is to explore the relationship between organisational culture and leadership. In the same context, new approaches to the study of leadership have explored the issue of gender in leadership. Female leadership studies - the second focus of this study - seek not only to restore the place of the individual but also argue a place for women in educational leadership. Based in the interpretive paradigm, this is a case study of a Catholic all-girl secondary school called the Loreto Convent School of Pretoria. Historically, the Loreto schools have aimed at promoting and empowering girls’ education and female leadership. It was therefore an appropriate site in which to explore organisational culture and its relationship with leadership, particularly female leadership. I purposefully chose three of the school’s female leaders - the school’s principal, the High school Head of Department and the High school head girl - focusing on their perceptions and experiences of their leadership and the school’s culture. My research findings show that an understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and leadership cannot be complete without acknowledging the importance of the leader as an individual, with his/her personal background and values, taking into account gender as well as the multiple roles that the individual has in society. Furthermore, the ‘humane’ characteristic of educational leadership leads to an understanding that the leader is often confronted with conflicting situations where he/she is caught between personal/organisational values and the need to achieve the task. Finally, my findings show that contemporary leaders are now called upon to work and participate in the promotion of social justice in order to fight against society’s socio-economic inequality and improve the quality of education and life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jean-Louis, Lily-Claire Virginie
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Catholic schools -- South Africa -- Administration School management and organization -- South Africa Educational leadership -- South Africa Corporate culture -- South Africa Women school administrators -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1625 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003507
- Description: For the past thirty years, leadership theories have focused on the importance of the individual within the school organisation. The shared assumptions and beliefs of the individuals working in the same organisation shape the school’s organisational culture, and organisational culture is a salient factor which should be considered when understanding educational leadership. The focus of my study is to explore the relationship between organisational culture and leadership. In the same context, new approaches to the study of leadership have explored the issue of gender in leadership. Female leadership studies - the second focus of this study - seek not only to restore the place of the individual but also argue a place for women in educational leadership. Based in the interpretive paradigm, this is a case study of a Catholic all-girl secondary school called the Loreto Convent School of Pretoria. Historically, the Loreto schools have aimed at promoting and empowering girls’ education and female leadership. It was therefore an appropriate site in which to explore organisational culture and its relationship with leadership, particularly female leadership. I purposefully chose three of the school’s female leaders - the school’s principal, the High school Head of Department and the High school head girl - focusing on their perceptions and experiences of their leadership and the school’s culture. My research findings show that an understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and leadership cannot be complete without acknowledging the importance of the leader as an individual, with his/her personal background and values, taking into account gender as well as the multiple roles that the individual has in society. Furthermore, the ‘humane’ characteristic of educational leadership leads to an understanding that the leader is often confronted with conflicting situations where he/she is caught between personal/organisational values and the need to achieve the task. Finally, my findings show that contemporary leaders are now called upon to work and participate in the promotion of social justice in order to fight against society’s socio-economic inequality and improve the quality of education and life.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Understanding editorial independence and public accountability issues in public broadcasting service: a study of the editorial policies at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)
- Authors: Jjuuko, Denis Charles
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002891 , South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Description: The concepts of editorial independence and public accountability are necessary in public broadcasting service as they help make a distinction between a public service broadcaster, a government and a commercial service broadcaster. This is because public service broadcasters are tasked with the responsibility of serving the interests of the general public. To do this, the above mentioned concepts have to be in place. This study examines these issues (editorial independence and public accountability) with reference to a case study of the editorial policies of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Using public broadcasting theory, policy theory and qualitative research methods, the study examines the genesis of these editorial policies in 2003/2004 and how they provide the SABC with a means of balancing the tensions of editorial independence and public accountability. In analysing the SABC’s editorial policies, the study deals only with those policies whose principles are directly related to editorial independence and public accountability. Although some of these policies are found to be in line with public broadcasting service trends, others are found lacking. Various recommendations are made. The case study demonstrates the importance of an integrated and elaborated policy perspective in setting out how a public service broadcaster can manage editorial independence and public accountability. It also highlights the importance of using international ‘role models’ in ways that are appropriately adapted for the specific country concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jjuuko, Denis Charles
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002891 , South African Broadcasting Corporation , South African Broadcasting Corporation -- Law and legislation , Broadcasting -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Mass media -- Social aspects -- South Africa , Broadcasting policy -- South Africa
- Description: The concepts of editorial independence and public accountability are necessary in public broadcasting service as they help make a distinction between a public service broadcaster, a government and a commercial service broadcaster. This is because public service broadcasters are tasked with the responsibility of serving the interests of the general public. To do this, the above mentioned concepts have to be in place. This study examines these issues (editorial independence and public accountability) with reference to a case study of the editorial policies of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Using public broadcasting theory, policy theory and qualitative research methods, the study examines the genesis of these editorial policies in 2003/2004 and how they provide the SABC with a means of balancing the tensions of editorial independence and public accountability. In analysing the SABC’s editorial policies, the study deals only with those policies whose principles are directly related to editorial independence and public accountability. Although some of these policies are found to be in line with public broadcasting service trends, others are found lacking. Various recommendations are made. The case study demonstrates the importance of an integrated and elaborated policy perspective in setting out how a public service broadcaster can manage editorial independence and public accountability. It also highlights the importance of using international ‘role models’ in ways that are appropriately adapted for the specific country concerned.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
The market overview and strategy development for selected components of a marketing plan for a cellular provider
- Authors: Jones, Frank Harold
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/175 , Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a marketing plan consisting of selected elements that would give a cellular company like Vodacom a competitive advantage over competitors and to capture a significant market share when marketing mobile data services like 3G. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and a theoretical model was selected to develop a marketing plan of selected components In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify core concepts critical to the development of a selected element marketing plan to market 3G and re-launch mobile data services. The results of the literature study were combined with the empirical study and a marketing plan based on McDonald was developed. Michael Porter’s five forces model was used as a reference to discuss the competitor analysis, a marketing strategy was compiled with specific referencing to the four P’s of marketing and marketing controls formed the basis of this research. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the marketing plan and options for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jones, Frank Harold
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:10924 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/175 , Cell phone services industry -- South Africa -- Marketing , Marketing -- Planning
- Description: The research problem addressed in this study was to develop a marketing plan consisting of selected elements that would give a cellular company like Vodacom a competitive advantage over competitors and to capture a significant market share when marketing mobile data services like 3G. To achieve this object, a literature study to determine the key components of a marketing plan was undertaken and a theoretical model was selected to develop a marketing plan of selected components In addition to the literature study, an empirical study was conducted to identify core concepts critical to the development of a selected element marketing plan to market 3G and re-launch mobile data services. The results of the literature study were combined with the empirical study and a marketing plan based on McDonald was developed. Michael Porter’s five forces model was used as a reference to discuss the competitor analysis, a marketing strategy was compiled with specific referencing to the four P’s of marketing and marketing controls formed the basis of this research. This study concludes with recommendations applicable for the implementation of the marketing plan and options for further research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Isolation and characterization of a novel thermostable and catalytically efficient laccase from Peniophora sp. strain UD4
- Authors: Jordaan, Justin
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Enzymes Enzymes -- Industrial applications Peniophora Laccase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004029
- Description: Enzymes are becoming an effective tool in industrial processes, from crude applications such as bioremediation to fine processes such as chirally selective biocatalysis. The ligninolytic enzymes have recently received considerable attention for industrial application due to both their broad substrate range and their ability to degrade the most recalcitrant natural polymer, lignin. This group of enzymes was therefore identified as the target group for this study. Improved enzyme properties are constantly being sought to enhance the range of applications for enzymes. Biodiversity provides a wide variety of enzymes. Several researchers have concentrated on extremophiles as their primary source of superior enzymes, consequently neglecting temperate environments in their search for these enzymes. The relatively neglected fungal biodiversity of South Africa provided an opportunity to test the hypothesis that potentially important industrial enzymes with unusual properties could be isolated from mesophilic basidiomycetous fungi. Subsequent screening of Eastern Cape biodiversity for thermostable ligninolytic enzymes from basidiomycetes resulted in the isolation of a novel laccase enzyme from a basidiomycetous species. This fungus was identified as Peniophora sp. UD4 by phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences. Initial studies indicated a superior optimum temperature of 70°C and thermostability, indicated by no loss in activity at 60°C over nine hours. Further characterization of the laccase revealed a broader than usual substrate range through its unusual ability to oxidatively couple DMAB and MBTH. The laccase also exhibited a broad pH oxidation range for ABTS (pH 2 – 6.8), and a relatively high affinity (K_m_ = 0.0123 mM) and catalytic efficiency (63 252 mM^(-1)^s^(-1)^) for ABTS as a substrate. The laccase activity from Peniophora sp. UD4 was shown to be comprised of three isozymes with a molecular weight of 62 kDa and pI’s of 6.33, 6.45 and 6.50. Investigation of the nutrient and physical factors affecting ligninolytic enzyme production and growth of Peniophora sp. UD4 indicated that the wild-type organism was unsuitable for large scale production of the thermostable laccase due to the low levels of laccase production. The thermostable laccase was applied to defouling of ultrafiltration membranes, bioremediation of industrial waste streams, biocatalysis, and biosensor technology as potential applications. Application of the Peniophora sp. UD4 laccase to defouling of membranes used for ultrafiltration of brown water showed large flux recoveries of 31, 21 and 21% after the first three defouling recycles respectively, compared to 3% for the control without immobilized enzyme. The novel laccase showed potential for the bioremediation of industrial waste streams, the most successful being that of bleach plant effluent, where a reduction of 66% of the phenolic load was achieved. Application of the novel laccase to biocatalytic oxidation of ferulic acid and (±)-α-pinene showed higher product yield as compared to oxidation of these compounds by Trametes versicolor laccase in mediated and non-mediated systems. The major products of (±)-α-pinene oxidation were identified as verbenol and trans-sorberol. The Peniophora sp. UD4 laccase was successfully applied to biosensor technology, which benchmarked significantly better than Trametes versicolor laccase for the detection of 4-chlorophenol. The biosensor developed with laccase from UD4 by covalent binding to a glassy carbon electrode exhibited the best combination of sensitivity and stability. This thesis shows that a laccase with superior properties was obtained from a mesophilic South African basidiomycete. The catalytic properties displayed by the novel laccase from Peniophora sp. UD4 all contribute to the increased industrial applicability of laccases, and may be the most industrially feasible enzyme of its class isolated to date.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jordaan, Justin
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Enzymes Enzymes -- Industrial applications Peniophora Laccase
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:3970 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004029
- Description: Enzymes are becoming an effective tool in industrial processes, from crude applications such as bioremediation to fine processes such as chirally selective biocatalysis. The ligninolytic enzymes have recently received considerable attention for industrial application due to both their broad substrate range and their ability to degrade the most recalcitrant natural polymer, lignin. This group of enzymes was therefore identified as the target group for this study. Improved enzyme properties are constantly being sought to enhance the range of applications for enzymes. Biodiversity provides a wide variety of enzymes. Several researchers have concentrated on extremophiles as their primary source of superior enzymes, consequently neglecting temperate environments in their search for these enzymes. The relatively neglected fungal biodiversity of South Africa provided an opportunity to test the hypothesis that potentially important industrial enzymes with unusual properties could be isolated from mesophilic basidiomycetous fungi. Subsequent screening of Eastern Cape biodiversity for thermostable ligninolytic enzymes from basidiomycetes resulted in the isolation of a novel laccase enzyme from a basidiomycetous species. This fungus was identified as Peniophora sp. UD4 by phylogenetic analysis of rDNA ITS sequences. Initial studies indicated a superior optimum temperature of 70°C and thermostability, indicated by no loss in activity at 60°C over nine hours. Further characterization of the laccase revealed a broader than usual substrate range through its unusual ability to oxidatively couple DMAB and MBTH. The laccase also exhibited a broad pH oxidation range for ABTS (pH 2 – 6.8), and a relatively high affinity (K_m_ = 0.0123 mM) and catalytic efficiency (63 252 mM^(-1)^s^(-1)^) for ABTS as a substrate. The laccase activity from Peniophora sp. UD4 was shown to be comprised of three isozymes with a molecular weight of 62 kDa and pI’s of 6.33, 6.45 and 6.50. Investigation of the nutrient and physical factors affecting ligninolytic enzyme production and growth of Peniophora sp. UD4 indicated that the wild-type organism was unsuitable for large scale production of the thermostable laccase due to the low levels of laccase production. The thermostable laccase was applied to defouling of ultrafiltration membranes, bioremediation of industrial waste streams, biocatalysis, and biosensor technology as potential applications. Application of the Peniophora sp. UD4 laccase to defouling of membranes used for ultrafiltration of brown water showed large flux recoveries of 31, 21 and 21% after the first three defouling recycles respectively, compared to 3% for the control without immobilized enzyme. The novel laccase showed potential for the bioremediation of industrial waste streams, the most successful being that of bleach plant effluent, where a reduction of 66% of the phenolic load was achieved. Application of the novel laccase to biocatalytic oxidation of ferulic acid and (±)-α-pinene showed higher product yield as compared to oxidation of these compounds by Trametes versicolor laccase in mediated and non-mediated systems. The major products of (±)-α-pinene oxidation were identified as verbenol and trans-sorberol. The Peniophora sp. UD4 laccase was successfully applied to biosensor technology, which benchmarked significantly better than Trametes versicolor laccase for the detection of 4-chlorophenol. The biosensor developed with laccase from UD4 by covalent binding to a glassy carbon electrode exhibited the best combination of sensitivity and stability. This thesis shows that a laccase with superior properties was obtained from a mesophilic South African basidiomycete. The catalytic properties displayed by the novel laccase from Peniophora sp. UD4 all contribute to the increased industrial applicability of laccases, and may be the most industrially feasible enzyme of its class isolated to date.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation of specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears
- Authors: Jordaan, Suzette Mirietta
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/173 , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears. More than half of South- African women fail to have one cervical smear in their lifetime and +/- 50 percent of those who do have cervical smears taken, are lost to follow-up. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen all women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, shortage of medical professionals and the lack of knowledge of some women of the necessity of cervical smears. Many newly qualified South-African doctors leave the country to go and work elsewhere. South Africa then in turn has to recruit doctors from other countries to staff the State hospitals and clinics. Some areas have one doctor to thousands of patients, insufficient nursing personnel and inadequate equipment. Doctors in some areas cannot cope with the volume of work and the long hours. One has to accept that the quality of the management of some patients is affected negatively. There are a number of medico-legal issues (world wide) in relation to aspects of cervical cancer prevention practices which are controversial and are of particular concern to all of those involved in cervical cancer prevention. Various countries have therefore formed different national organizations to address the medico-legal issues in screening for the prevention of cancer. These organizations monitors procedures, internal quality control as well as external quality control. In South Africa, medico-legal cases are not so prevalent, but may become so shortly. The South-African medical professionals therefore have to ensure that their quality of work conforms to accepted good practice in all circumstances. State hospitals serve thousands of patients per month and it is an every day occurrence to see long queues of patients sitting waiting for doctors and who often have to come back the following day. The situation appears to be much improved in private practice and since patients have medical cover and accessible medical facilities. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen 100 percent of women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, the shortage of medical professionals and ignorance of patients. Quality assurance is therefore of paramount importance to every medical professional for every patient treated. Laboratories all worldwide have been, or are in the process of being accredited by their specific accreditation authorities. The main reason for this is improvement of quality control and therefore quality assurance. The South African National Accreditation Society (SANAS) now accredits various laboratories in South Africa with the view of accreditting all laboratories within a certain time limit. The Ampath laboratory Port Elizabeth was successfully accredited during 2001. Accredited laboratories have to uphold a very high degree of quality to remain accredited. A team of professionals inspects the laboratory every 2 years and other quality assurance staff inspects the laboratories every few months. All aspects of the laboratory are checked, e.g. the qualification of staff, their registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), their curriculum vitaes, equipment, safety of the laboratory etc. Since the laboratory chosen for this study, is accredited, the author evaluated every cervical smear that was received in the laboratory since the year 2000, with the following objectives in mind: · Whether the presence or absence of an endocervical component has an effect on the adequacy of cervical smears · To determine the effect of using smaller coverslips on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory · Evaluate the effect that manual re-screening of smears has on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory. As there is a shortage of cytotechnologists and pathologists worldwide, several countries make use of automated screening devices as primary screening or secondary screening for quality assurance. These devices were tested in some laboratories in South Africa but were found to be very expensive and sensitivity and specificity were not up to standard. Sensitivity is a measure of the ability of a test to detect the abnormal - Sensitivity is the ratio of true positives to true positives + false negatives. Specificity is a measure of the ability of a test to correctly identify the negative - Specificity is the ratio of true negative to true negatives + false positives. The automated screening machines failed to identify abnormal cells amongst inflammatory cells, as well as in very blood stained smears. Several other problems also occurred and an increasing number of smears had to be manually rescreened, thus making this exercise costly and not helpful as a quality assurance instrument. The slides used for this thesis, have been retrieved from the archives of the Ampath laboratory in Port Elizabeth. Fourteen specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of cervical smears are also discussed and conclusions and recommendations given.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Jordaan, Suzette Mirietta
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10117 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/173 , Cervix uteri -- Cancer -- Cytodiagnosis -- Quality control , Vaginal smears -- Quality control , Pap test -- Quality control
- Description: The purpose of this study is to investigate specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of conventional cervical smears. More than half of South- African women fail to have one cervical smear in their lifetime and +/- 50 percent of those who do have cervical smears taken, are lost to follow-up. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen all women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, shortage of medical professionals and the lack of knowledge of some women of the necessity of cervical smears. Many newly qualified South-African doctors leave the country to go and work elsewhere. South Africa then in turn has to recruit doctors from other countries to staff the State hospitals and clinics. Some areas have one doctor to thousands of patients, insufficient nursing personnel and inadequate equipment. Doctors in some areas cannot cope with the volume of work and the long hours. One has to accept that the quality of the management of some patients is affected negatively. There are a number of medico-legal issues (world wide) in relation to aspects of cervical cancer prevention practices which are controversial and are of particular concern to all of those involved in cervical cancer prevention. Various countries have therefore formed different national organizations to address the medico-legal issues in screening for the prevention of cancer. These organizations monitors procedures, internal quality control as well as external quality control. In South Africa, medico-legal cases are not so prevalent, but may become so shortly. The South-African medical professionals therefore have to ensure that their quality of work conforms to accepted good practice in all circumstances. State hospitals serve thousands of patients per month and it is an every day occurrence to see long queues of patients sitting waiting for doctors and who often have to come back the following day. The situation appears to be much improved in private practice and since patients have medical cover and accessible medical facilities. Since cervical cancer is the most common malignancy amongst women in developing countries, the medical profession will have to endeavor to screen a higher rate of women and ensure a 100 percent quality assurance with every patient treated in order to reduce the unacceptable high incidence of cervical carcinoma. At this stage it seems like an impossible task to screen 100 percent of women in South Africa, due to far-off rural areas, the shortage of medical professionals and ignorance of patients. Quality assurance is therefore of paramount importance to every medical professional for every patient treated. Laboratories all worldwide have been, or are in the process of being accredited by their specific accreditation authorities. The main reason for this is improvement of quality control and therefore quality assurance. The South African National Accreditation Society (SANAS) now accredits various laboratories in South Africa with the view of accreditting all laboratories within a certain time limit. The Ampath laboratory Port Elizabeth was successfully accredited during 2001. Accredited laboratories have to uphold a very high degree of quality to remain accredited. A team of professionals inspects the laboratory every 2 years and other quality assurance staff inspects the laboratories every few months. All aspects of the laboratory are checked, e.g. the qualification of staff, their registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), their curriculum vitaes, equipment, safety of the laboratory etc. Since the laboratory chosen for this study, is accredited, the author evaluated every cervical smear that was received in the laboratory since the year 2000, with the following objectives in mind: · Whether the presence or absence of an endocervical component has an effect on the adequacy of cervical smears · To determine the effect of using smaller coverslips on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory · Evaluate the effect that manual re-screening of smears has on quality assurance in the cytology laboratory. As there is a shortage of cytotechnologists and pathologists worldwide, several countries make use of automated screening devices as primary screening or secondary screening for quality assurance. These devices were tested in some laboratories in South Africa but were found to be very expensive and sensitivity and specificity were not up to standard. Sensitivity is a measure of the ability of a test to detect the abnormal - Sensitivity is the ratio of true positives to true positives + false negatives. Specificity is a measure of the ability of a test to correctly identify the negative - Specificity is the ratio of true negative to true negatives + false positives. The automated screening machines failed to identify abnormal cells amongst inflammatory cells, as well as in very blood stained smears. Several other problems also occurred and an increasing number of smears had to be manually rescreened, thus making this exercise costly and not helpful as a quality assurance instrument. The slides used for this thesis, have been retrieved from the archives of the Ampath laboratory in Port Elizabeth. Fourteen specific contributing factors affecting quality assurance in the diagnosis of cervical smears are also discussed and conclusions and recommendations given.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
Consolidating democracy, building civil society : the South African Council of Churches in post-apartheid South Africa and its policy of critical solidarity with the state
- Authors: Joseph, Stacey-Leigh
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Council of Churches Church and state -- South Africa Christianity and politics -- South Africa Apartheid -- Religious aspects -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa Debts, External -- South Africa South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Zimbabwe South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007957
- Description: The South African Council of Churches (SACC) played an extremely crucial role during the struggle against apartheid. The role of the SACC was first and foremost to provide a voice for the voiceless. It managed, among other tasks, to actively fill the void left by movements banned by the illegitimate apartheid government. As a result of its fight against the inequalities that existed in South Africa, its work adopted a political character. In the aftermath of post-apartheid South Africa, the SACC was left with the task of redefining its role within South African society and civil society, specifically. The euphoric sentiment in the mid-1990s was in part reflected in the SACC. However, the conclusion reached by the Council in 1995 was that it would also play a role of 'critical solidarity' which essentially meant that it would not shy away from attacking the government when the need arose. Since 1994, the South African government has implemented a number of policies that do not appear to be in the immediate interest of the majority of South African citizens atld have brought church and state into conflict. This thesis attempts to tackle three issues which are pertinent to the South African situation and which shed light on state-civil society interactions. These issues are HIV I Aids, the question of odious debt and the Zimbabwe crisis. By using both primary and secondary sources, the SACC's responses to government's handling of these matters will be compared with the responses of the South African Catholic Bishops Conference in order to determine their relationships with government. The conclusion of this investigation is that the SACC has in fact managed to maintain a position of critical solidarity. It has been faced with numerous challenges with regard to maintaining the fragile boundary of alliance with government on the one hand, and becoming anti-government on the other. However, by forming alliances with other civil society actors as well as fostering a relationship with government in order to facilitate mediation this dissertation argues that the SACC has become an essential member of South Africa's vibrant civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Joseph, Stacey-Leigh
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: South African Council of Churches Church and state -- South Africa Christianity and politics -- South Africa Apartheid -- Religious aspects -- South Africa AIDS (Disease) -- Government policy -- South Africa Debts, External -- South Africa South Africa -- Foreign relations -- Zimbabwe South Africa -- Politics and government -- 1994
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSocSc
- Identifier: vital:2874 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007957
- Description: The South African Council of Churches (SACC) played an extremely crucial role during the struggle against apartheid. The role of the SACC was first and foremost to provide a voice for the voiceless. It managed, among other tasks, to actively fill the void left by movements banned by the illegitimate apartheid government. As a result of its fight against the inequalities that existed in South Africa, its work adopted a political character. In the aftermath of post-apartheid South Africa, the SACC was left with the task of redefining its role within South African society and civil society, specifically. The euphoric sentiment in the mid-1990s was in part reflected in the SACC. However, the conclusion reached by the Council in 1995 was that it would also play a role of 'critical solidarity' which essentially meant that it would not shy away from attacking the government when the need arose. Since 1994, the South African government has implemented a number of policies that do not appear to be in the immediate interest of the majority of South African citizens atld have brought church and state into conflict. This thesis attempts to tackle three issues which are pertinent to the South African situation and which shed light on state-civil society interactions. These issues are HIV I Aids, the question of odious debt and the Zimbabwe crisis. By using both primary and secondary sources, the SACC's responses to government's handling of these matters will be compared with the responses of the South African Catholic Bishops Conference in order to determine their relationships with government. The conclusion of this investigation is that the SACC has in fact managed to maintain a position of critical solidarity. It has been faced with numerous challenges with regard to maintaining the fragile boundary of alliance with government on the one hand, and becoming anti-government on the other. However, by forming alliances with other civil society actors as well as fostering a relationship with government in order to facilitate mediation this dissertation argues that the SACC has become an essential member of South Africa's vibrant civil society.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation of local community contributions to the Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum: a case study focussing on the Chambo fishery
- Kachilonda, Dick Daffu Kachanga
- Authors: Kachilonda, Dick Daffu Kachanga
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Malawi College of Fisheries -- Curricula Fishery management -- Study and teaching Fishery management -- Malawi Fisheries -- Malawi Fishes -- Nyasa, Lake
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004537
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate local community contributions to the existing Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum with a focus on Chambo fishery. Chambo fish (Oreochromis species) is the most favoured fish in Lake Malawi. Chambo catches have declined over the years. Responding to the declining catches, the Fisheries Department is engaged in a number of management options to address the issues. Most of these management options are governed by scientific recommendations and do not consider the socio-economic situation of the people who are dependent on fishery. This approach to fishery has influenced the Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum. The existing curriculum is product-centred, developed by a consultant. During the development of the curriculum, there was little consultation with the lecturers and no consultation with the local communities who are using the resource. The fishing communities have been fishing for a long time and have acquired knowledge, skills and experience worth investigating for its potential role in improving the existing curriculum. Through the use of interviews, focus group discussions and workshops with local communities local knowledge was identified for inclusion into the curriculum. A review of the existing curriculum revealed that it has primarily technical focus, grounded in the protection, control and management of the fish stocks, while the local knowledge has a practical focus based on existing practices and requiring an understanding of the sources of the issues. There is also more emphasis on a historical perspective and the context in which fishing practices take place at the moment. It was evident from the study that local communities have much of knowledge, skills and experience gained over the years of fishing , and if properly utilised, it can improve the MCF curriculum. I therefore recommend in this study that the curriculum be reviewed in order to integrate and draw on the local knowledge through a deliberative and participatory process between the local communities and the government so that it addresses the needs of the local communities and improves the training of the extension workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Kachilonda, Dick Daffu Kachanga
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Malawi College of Fisheries -- Curricula Fishery management -- Study and teaching Fishery management -- Malawi Fisheries -- Malawi Fishes -- Nyasa, Lake
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004537
- Description: The aim of the study was to investigate local community contributions to the existing Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum with a focus on Chambo fishery. Chambo fish (Oreochromis species) is the most favoured fish in Lake Malawi. Chambo catches have declined over the years. Responding to the declining catches, the Fisheries Department is engaged in a number of management options to address the issues. Most of these management options are governed by scientific recommendations and do not consider the socio-economic situation of the people who are dependent on fishery. This approach to fishery has influenced the Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum. The existing curriculum is product-centred, developed by a consultant. During the development of the curriculum, there was little consultation with the lecturers and no consultation with the local communities who are using the resource. The fishing communities have been fishing for a long time and have acquired knowledge, skills and experience worth investigating for its potential role in improving the existing curriculum. Through the use of interviews, focus group discussions and workshops with local communities local knowledge was identified for inclusion into the curriculum. A review of the existing curriculum revealed that it has primarily technical focus, grounded in the protection, control and management of the fish stocks, while the local knowledge has a practical focus based on existing practices and requiring an understanding of the sources of the issues. There is also more emphasis on a historical perspective and the context in which fishing practices take place at the moment. It was evident from the study that local communities have much of knowledge, skills and experience gained over the years of fishing , and if properly utilised, it can improve the MCF curriculum. I therefore recommend in this study that the curriculum be reviewed in order to integrate and draw on the local knowledge through a deliberative and participatory process between the local communities and the government so that it addresses the needs of the local communities and improves the training of the extension workers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An analysis of the views of journalists and government officials regarding the impact of new vision's coverage of the Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project
- Authors: Kaheru, Hamis
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Nakivubo Urban Wetland (Uganda) , Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project , New Vision (Uganda) , Environmental protection -- Press coverage -- Uganda , Government and the press -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3439 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002893 , Nakivubo Urban Wetland (Uganda) , Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project , New Vision (Uganda) , Environmental protection -- Press coverage -- Uganda , Government and the press -- Uganda
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Kaheru, Hamis
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Nakivubo Urban Wetland (Uganda) , Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project , New Vision (Uganda) , Environmental protection -- Press coverage -- Uganda , Government and the press -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3439 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002893 , Nakivubo Urban Wetland (Uganda) , Nakivubo Channel Rehabilitation Project , New Vision (Uganda) , Environmental protection -- Press coverage -- Uganda , Government and the press -- Uganda
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
An investigation of how Kampala teenagers who read Straight talk negotiate HIV/AIDS messages
- Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Authors: Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Uganda -- Kampala Straight talk AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- Uganda -- Kampala Teenagers -- Diseases -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching AIDS (Disease) in mass media Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Uganda -- Kampala
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002894
- Description: This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation of how teenagers in Kampala, Uganda, who read the HIV/AIDS publication aimed at adolescents, Straight Talk, negotiate HIV/AIDS messages. It seeks to establish to what extent these secondary school teenagers accept the key messages (known as ABC; Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom) and understand the factual aspects of the messages about HIV/AIDS, its process of transmission and prevention. It also seeks to probe how the lived realities of the teenagers affect their particular negotiations of the HIV/AIDS messages. It includes a focus on how proximity to HIV/AIDS, gender and family economic disposition might affect teenagers, negotiation of the HIV/AIDS meanings. To investigate the respondents’ reception of HIV/AIDS messages, the study employed focus groups that consisted of two stages, namely the ‘news game’ and group discussions. In the ‘news game’ stage (Philo, 1990; Kitzinger, 1993) the teenage participants were required to produce a version of a one-page copy of an HIV/AIDS newspaper targeting teenagers. In the second stage of the focus group a structured discussion probed the teenagers’ negotiation of the HIV/AIDS media messages. In the news game, the teenagers on the whole reproduced the key Straight Talk HIV/AIDS messages ‘Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom’ and also images showing the effects of HIV/AIDS but featured fewer images depicting the factual aspects of HIV/AIDS process of transmission and risky behaviour. In the structured discussion that followed the news game, it was evident that not all the teenagers necessarily believed the messages they produced. In spite of producing the ABC Straight Talk messages, some of them were uncertain and confused about the absolute safety of the condom because of fears that they were either porous, expired or would interfere with sexual pleasure. Secondly, though many of the teenagers in the study reproduced images that showed that they consider marriage as desirable and talked about their desire to abstain from sex till marriage, a considerable number think abstinence is not achievable due to competing values. Thirdly, the participant teenagers could differentiate between HIV and AIDS but many did not realise that with the advent of anti-retroviral drugs even people who have AIDS can look normal. In spite of repeating the Straight Talk message that “no one was safe” and being aware of the risky behaviour that their fellow teenagers get involved in, the teenagers seemed to think that their age cohort is safe from HIV and it is the adults who are likely to infect them. The study findings further indicate that the teenagers’ lived experience at times influence their negotiation of HIV/AIDS media messages. This was probed in terms of economic standing, gender and proximity to HIV/AIDS. In relation to gender one surprising discovery was that certain girls in the study feared getting pregnant more than getting HIV/AIDS. The study finally suggests that these findings are of significance for designing future media initiatives in relation to HIV/AIDS.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2005
- Authors: Kaija, Barbara Night Mbabazi
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: AIDS (Disease) -- Uganda -- Kampala Straight talk AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) in adolescence -- Uganda -- Kampala Teenagers -- Diseases -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Study and teaching AIDS (Disease) in mass media Teenagers -- Sexual behavior -- Uganda -- Kampala AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention -- Uganda -- Kampala
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3440 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002894
- Description: This study is a qualitative ethnographic investigation of how teenagers in Kampala, Uganda, who read the HIV/AIDS publication aimed at adolescents, Straight Talk, negotiate HIV/AIDS messages. It seeks to establish to what extent these secondary school teenagers accept the key messages (known as ABC; Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom) and understand the factual aspects of the messages about HIV/AIDS, its process of transmission and prevention. It also seeks to probe how the lived realities of the teenagers affect their particular negotiations of the HIV/AIDS messages. It includes a focus on how proximity to HIV/AIDS, gender and family economic disposition might affect teenagers, negotiation of the HIV/AIDS meanings. To investigate the respondents’ reception of HIV/AIDS messages, the study employed focus groups that consisted of two stages, namely the ‘news game’ and group discussions. In the ‘news game’ stage (Philo, 1990; Kitzinger, 1993) the teenage participants were required to produce a version of a one-page copy of an HIV/AIDS newspaper targeting teenagers. In the second stage of the focus group a structured discussion probed the teenagers’ negotiation of the HIV/AIDS media messages. In the news game, the teenagers on the whole reproduced the key Straight Talk HIV/AIDS messages ‘Abstain, Be faithful or use a Condom’ and also images showing the effects of HIV/AIDS but featured fewer images depicting the factual aspects of HIV/AIDS process of transmission and risky behaviour. In the structured discussion that followed the news game, it was evident that not all the teenagers necessarily believed the messages they produced. In spite of producing the ABC Straight Talk messages, some of them were uncertain and confused about the absolute safety of the condom because of fears that they were either porous, expired or would interfere with sexual pleasure. Secondly, though many of the teenagers in the study reproduced images that showed that they consider marriage as desirable and talked about their desire to abstain from sex till marriage, a considerable number think abstinence is not achievable due to competing values. Thirdly, the participant teenagers could differentiate between HIV and AIDS but many did not realise that with the advent of anti-retroviral drugs even people who have AIDS can look normal. In spite of repeating the Straight Talk message that “no one was safe” and being aware of the risky behaviour that their fellow teenagers get involved in, the teenagers seemed to think that their age cohort is safe from HIV and it is the adults who are likely to infect them. The study findings further indicate that the teenagers’ lived experience at times influence their negotiation of HIV/AIDS media messages. This was probed in terms of economic standing, gender and proximity to HIV/AIDS. In relation to gender one surprising discovery was that certain girls in the study feared getting pregnant more than getting HIV/AIDS. The study finally suggests that these findings are of significance for designing future media initiatives in relation to HIV/AIDS.
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- Date Issued: 2005