SU to present HIV/AIDS Symposium

Stellenbosch University (SU) will be hosting a HIV/AIDS symposium as part of its bi-annual science-meets-society series on Friday, 17 August at the Wallenberg Research Centre at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advance Study (STIAS) from 08:30 – 14:30.

The symposium is organised by the Divisions for Research Development and Community Interaction at Stellenbosch University.

At the event, SU researchers in the field of HIV/AIDS will share their research with non-scientist members of the public working in community-based organizations such as the ANOVA Health Institute and Stellenbosch Municipality.

The public will also get a chance to exchange opinions and challenges of HIV/AIDS management and also give feedback that may be useful to research.

“The symposium creates a platform where SU research and societal challenges meet and influence each other. This is another way in which SU brings hope to the society,” says Mr Mawethu Nyakatya, Coordinator: Research Partnerships and Communication in the Division for Research Development at SU.

It is aimed at knowledge exchange between university research and community organisations on HIV/AIDS management, he adds.

Topics to be discussed include the early treatment of HIV in children and the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV; care relationships for people with HIV-related illnesses; chronic HIV infections; and sexual education and life orientation.

Speakers at the symposium include Prof Amanda Gouws and Prof Mark Tomlinson of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at SU, Prof Mark Cotton of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at Stellenbosch University, and Prof Rona Newmark of SU’s Faculty of Education.

• Contact Mawethu Nyakatya at 021 808 9185 or e-mail nyakatya@sun.ac.za for more information.
• Access the programme here