Study grants and bursaries

The PRF bursary scheme was approved in 1994 and the first bursary for postgraduate studies was awarded for the 1995 academic year. We are proud to look back on a period of 23 years during which 77 bursaries were awarded to deserving candidates for Masters' and Doctorate studies. The aim of the bursary scheme is to train deserving candidates in the scientific method to allow them to contribute to high quality scientific research after completing their studies. This includes, in particular, research aimed at promoting the production of protein for animal consumption.

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

Bursaries for Masters' studies are awarded for a period of two years and three years in the case of Doctorate studies. Bursaries awarded for the current year were approved by the Bursary Committee (a sub-committee of the Marketing Committee) and were as follows:

1. M.Sc Studies

   1. Mr E du Toit (Second application)
      "Developing nitrogen fertiliser management strategies for canola under conservation agriculture practices in the Western Cape" – Stellenbosch University
   2. Ms J van der Merwe (Second application)
      "Evaluation of canola oilcake as an alternative locally-produced protein source for slaughter ostriches." – Stellenbosch University
   3. Ms L Jordaan (Second application)
      "The use of chemicals and polymer coatings to increase the non-degradable protein fraction of a variety of locally produced protein sources." – Stellenbosch University
   4. Ms P Mbedzi (Second application)
      "Initial screening of Soybeans for Simple Sequence Repeats conferring resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum." – Stellenbosch University
   5. Mr JP van Zyl (First application)
      "Effect of plant population, maturity groups and row width on soybean yields in the North East Free State." – University of the Free State

2. PhD Studies

   None.

3. Completed theses received

   During the year under review no theses were received from bursary recipients.