(Professor Philip Machanick)
Rhodes University Bioinformatics (RUBi) Research Group is an interdisciplinary group housed in the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology and focuses on collaborative research to produce computational outcomes of biological significance.
Postgraduates / Graduations
During 2018 the following students were in training:
– Nineteen (19) Honours.
– Nineteen (19) MSc by coursework and research (engaged in the research portion of their studies).
– Eighteen (18) MSc by research.
– Eight (8) PhD.
The following 2018 students graduated:
– Sixteen (16) Honours.
– Ten (10) MSc by coursework and research.
– Three (3) PhD.
– Three (3) extra MSc students by research had their theses successfully examined.
Distinguished Visitors / International Visits
Representatives of the industry partners of the Computer Science department, within the Telkom Centre of Excellence and outside, visited the department during 2018. Staff and students routinely attend overseas conferences. The attendance is often complemented by a visit to an academic institution in the country where the conference takes place.
Significant Research Aligned Events
As in previous years, the department received research grants from the partners of the Telkom Centre of Excellence in Distributed Multimedia, Telkom and Coriant (now Infinera).
In January 2018, Dr Mosiuoa Tsietsi visited Cape Town for a collaborative meeting with partners from the Department of Future Technologies at the University of Turku (Finland), and a Cape Town based NGO (contextualize.co.za) specializing in
ICT4D/participatory design. The purpose was to workshop ideas that would feed into a research proposal under the Southern Africa Innovation Support (SAIS) Programme
(http://www.saisprogramme.org) focusing on a multi- disciplinary approach toward the development of agricultural solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa employing the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm.
The two (2) day meeting yielded a detailed work plan and identified key technologies that would be employed for this unique context, but also outlined a comprehensive skills-sharing plan that would support mobility between the two (2) partner countries (South Africa and Finland) including opportunities for Postgraduate student exchange.
At the end of February 2018, Associate Professor Karen Bradshaw presented, with her German research partners, a short course on Ecological Modelling at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) Rural Facility near Hoedspruit. At the beginning of March 2018, she attended the Savanna Network meeting at Skukuza, where research conducted in national parks and other conservation areas was presented. At the end of March she attended the GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in San Jose, California. There she was granted the NVIDIA DLI (Deep Learning Institute) University Ambassadorship.
DLI Ambassadors are a select group of DLI Certified Instructors committed to teach DLI workshops and host DLI lab meetups at universities, academic conferences, and events using cloud-based training materials from Nvidia.
The Siyakhula Living Lab (SLL) continued sitting in the Eastern Cape ICT Working Group, which oversees the public ICT activity in the Province, contributing the result of its research in the diffusion of ICT in poor communities. The focus of the Working Group was the implementation of “SA Connect”, the national broadband initiative. Two (2) computer labs, of thirty (30) seats, arrived at the end of 2018 from Saab Grintek, as an in-kind contribution to the activities of the Siyakhula Living Lab.
Concerts, Exhibitions, Performances, Workshops, Events
Machanick, P.
Machanick, P. Presented paper and panel discussion. Project CrayOn: Back to the future for a more General-Purpose GPU? Second Workshop on Pioneering Processor Paradigms. Austria Trend Event Hotel Pyramide, Vienna. Austria. 25 February 2018.
Peer Reviewed Subsidy-Earning Journal Research Publications
Bradshaw, K.
Srinivas, S., Mtolo, L.T., Duxbury, T. and Bradshaw, K. (2018) Synergizing Technology and Health Promotion for the Prevention of Tuberculosis. Journal for New Generation Sciences. 16 (2). p.127-141.
Mhlongo, M.P., Marara, P., Bradshaw, K. and Srinivas, S. (2018) Health education on diabetes at a South African National Science Festival. African Journal of Health Professions Education. 10 (1). p.26-30.
Foss, R. and Devonport, S.
Foss, R. and Devonport, S. (2018) An Immersive Audio Control System Using Mobile Devices and Ethernet AVB-Capable Speakers. Journal of the Audio Engineering Society.
66 (9). p.724-733.
Frieslaar, I. and Irwin, B.
Frieslaar, I. and Irwin, B. (2018) Developing an Electromagnetic Noise Generator to Protect a Raspberry Pi from Side Channel Analysis. SAIEE Africa Research Journal (Transactions of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers). 109 (2). p.85-101.
Kibet, C.K.
Kuria, N., Reid, A., Owiti, P., Tweya, H., Kibet, C.K., Mbau, L., Manzi, M., Murunga, V., Namusonge, T. and Kibachio, J. (2018) Compliance with follow-up and adherence to medication in hypertensive patients in an urban informal settlement in Kenya:
comparison of three models of care. Tropical Medicine & International Health. 23 (7).
p.785-894.
Machanick, P.
Machanick, P. (2018) Editorial: Transitions. South African Computer Journal. 30 (2).
p.1-2.
Machanick, P. (2018) Editorial: Fit for Review. South African Computer Journal. 30 (1).
p.1-4.
Terzoli, A., Sieborger, I. and Tsietsi, M.
Terzoli, A., Sieborger, I., Tsietsi, M. and Gumbo, S. (2018) Digital Inclusion: A Model for e-Infrastructure and e-Services in Developing Countries. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.
250 (2018). p.85-98.
Peer-reviewed Proceedings
Aschman, M.
Leenen, L., Aschman, M., Grobler, M. and van Heerden, A. Facing the Culture Gap in Operationalising Cyber Within a Military Context. 13th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security (ICCWS 2018). National Defense University, Washington DC.
United States of America. March 2018.
Bradshaw, K.L.
Nhlaphoa, B., Nhokodi, T., Dwani, S., Tandlich, R., Khamanga, S.M., Bradshaw, K.L. and Srinivas, S. Case study on disaster risk reduction and public health implications management in South Africa. 25th TIEMS Anniversary (1993-2018) Conference: Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Mitigation - Plans, Preparation, & Collaborative Strategies. University of Santo Tomas, Manila. Philippines. November 2018.
Brown, D.L. and Bradshaw, K.
Brown, D.L. and Bradshaw, K. Efficient Biometric Access Control for Larger Scale
Department of
Computer Science
Populations. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape.
South Africa. September 2018.
Chindipha, S.D., Irwin, B. and Herbert, A.
Chindipha, S.D., Irwin, B. and Herbert, A. Effectiveness of Sampling a Small Sized Network Telescope in Internet Background Radiation Data Collection. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape.
South Africa. September 2018.
Connan, J.
Wu, Q., Ghaziasgar, M., Dodds, R. and Connan, J. Robust Audio- Based Digit Recognition. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
Devonport, S. and Foss, R.
Devonport, S. and Foss, R. An Investigation into the Application of Distributed Endpoint Processing to 3D Immersive Audio Reproduction. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape.
South Africa. September 2018.
Herbert, A.
Burke, I.D., Herbert, A. and Mooi, R. Using network flow data to analyse Distributed Reflection Denial of Service (DRDoS) attacks, as observed on the South African National Research and Education Network (SANReN). SAICSIT 2018 Technology for Change. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth. South Africa. September 2018.
Herbert, A. and Irwin, B.
Herbert, A. and Irwin, B. Towards Enhanced Threat Intelligence Through NetFlow Distillation. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
James, K.M.F. and Bradshaw, K.
James, K.M.F. and Bradshaw, K. Combining Machine Learning with Drone Technology for Field Inspections. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation.
Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
Lehata, M. and Connan, J.
Lehata, M. and Connan, J. Predicting Network Traffic Country of Origin Using Generalised Random Decision Forest Classifiers.
SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa.
September 2018.
Linklater, G., Herbert, A. and Irwin, B.
Linklater, G., Marais, C., Herbert, A. and Irwin, B. Offline-First Design for Fault Tolerant Applications. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation.
Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
Linklater, G., Smith, C., Herbert, A. and Irwin, B. Toward Distributed Key Management for Offline Authentication. SAICSIT 2018 Technology for Change. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth. South Africa. September 2018.
Machanick, P.
Machanick, P. A Preliminary Study of Minimal-Contention Locks.
SAICSIT 2018 Technology for Change. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth. South Africa. September 2018.
Magwenzi, T., Tsietsi, M. and Terzoli, A.
Magwenzi, T., Tsietsi, M. and Terzoli, A. Towards a Low-cost
Software-Defined Ethernet Switch Using Open-Source Components.
SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa.
September 2018.
Marais, K. and Foss, R.
Marais, K. and Foss, R. The Creation of an Immersive Multi- Speaker Audio Capability for VR and Gaming Applications. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
Motara, Y.M.
Motara, Y.M. Development of an LCT-Based MOOC Taxonomy.
7th Computer Science Education Research Conference (CSERC 2018). St Petersburg. Russia. October 2018.
Motara, Y.M. and Van Der Schyff, K. A functional ontology. SAICSIT 2018 Technology for Change. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth.
South Africa. September 2018.
Pennefather, S., Bradshaw, K. and Irwin, B.
Pennefather, S., Bradshaw, K. and Irwin, B. Real-Time Geotagging and Filtering of Network Data using a Heterogeneous NPU-CPU Architecture. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape.
South Africa. September 2018.
Pennefather, S., Bradshaw, K. and Irwin, B. Exploration and Design of a Synchronous Message Passing Framework for a CPU-
MSc student (Ms Katherine James) collecting image data using the Mavic drone for an environmental bush classification project.
Credit: Department of Computer Science
Mavic drone used in image processing and machine learning research projects.
Credit: Department of Computer Science
NPU Heterogeneous Architecture. 2018 IEEE International Parallel and Distributed Processing Symposium Workshops IPDPSW 2018.
Vancouver, British Columbia. Canada. May 2018.
Pennefather, S., Bradshaw, K. and Irwin, B. Extending the NFComms Framework for Bulk Data Transfers. SAICSIT 2018 Technology for Change. Nelson Mandela University, Port Elizabeth. South Africa. September 2018.
Shaw, B. and Irwin, B.
Shaw, B. and Irwin, B. Hybrid Senor Simulation within an ICS Testbed. SATNAC 2018: The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape.
South Africa. September 2018.
Vorster, J.
van Heerden, R., Von Solms, S. and Vorster, J. Major Security Incidents since 2014: an African Perspective. 2018 IST - Africa Week Conference (IST-Africa 2018). Gaborone International Conference Centre, Gaborone. Botswana. May 2018.
Vorster, J. and Irwin, B.
Vorster, J., Irwin, B. and van Heerden, R. Violations of Good Security Practices in Graphical Passwords Schemes: Enterprise Constraints on Scheme-Design. 13th International Conference on Cyber Warfare and Security. National Defense University, Washington DC. United States of America. March 2018.
Research Papers Presented at Academic/Scientific Conferences (Non-peer-reviewed Proceedings)
Pipile, Y.Y., Tsietsi, M. and Terzoli, A.
Pipile, Y.Y., Tsietsi, M. and Terzoli, A. Controlling Irrigation with Soil Moisture Sensors for Efficient Water Usage. SATNAC 2018:
The Data Tsunami - Enabled through Software Defined
Transformation. Arabella, Hermanus, Western Cape. South Africa. September 2018.
PhD candidate, Mr Sean Pennefather, delivering a presentation on his research on network flow processors at the annual SATNAC
conference. Credit: Department of Computer Science
Department of Drama
In 2018, through a combination of performing arts creative practice and the presentation and publication of articles, the department encouraged a dialogical connection between practice and research. This approach
consolidated and extended the theatre knowledge-base within the academic programme. The department gives central place to the question of how theatre and
performance relates to audiences and the broader society and therefore conducts research for, through and into theatre.
Such research requires diverse and applied approaches, allowing space for performers, choreographers, writers, designers and directors to prepare for and create productions. The same industrious effort is required whether one is preparing to work within an applied- theatre context, in a classroom, or in any other learning context.
The department regards content and form as equally important, thus requiring that theatrical form is investigated with the same intensity as theatrical content.
The department’s synergistic amalgamation of research and practice has led to participation in international conferences, events and workshops. The department was represented nationally and also internationally (Cambodia, Serbia, Japan, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Hong Kong).
Dr Gehring and Mr Parker delivered papers at a conference in Serbia, while Ms Mohoto and Professor Krueger participated in creative projects in the United States of America (USA). Professor Krueger, with Professor Megan Lewis, received the 2017 Hiddingh- Curie award for his book Magnet Theatre: Three Decades of Making Space (2016). The department hosted a number of distinguished visitors with Ms Selloane Mokuku instrumental in inviting guests and in co-facilitating workshops.
The creative outputs of staff and students were showcased at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown (now Makhanda); the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival; the Cape Town Fringe Festival; the Drama for Life International Festival in Johannesburg; the Dance Umbrella Festival; the Institute for Creative Arts Live Art Festival;
Dr Heike Gehring Head of Department
Credit: Snow Harris
and the Kuwamba Women’s Festival. The year ended on a high note when the student production, Seeing Red, was invited to perform at the Stockholm Youth Theatre in Sweden.
Professor Buckland performed at the Baxter Theatre and Theatre on the Bay in the production The Inconvenience of Wings and he was assistant director of See You Yesterday for the Global Arts Corps in Cambodia.
The inspirational work of Research Associate, Athina Vahla, culminated in a production for the First Physical Theatre Company, called DNA.
Postgraduates / Graduations
Postgraduate students made a strong contribution to creative outputs. Most notably, after winning the National Arts Festival ‘Best Ensemble’ award, the production, Seeing Red, directed by Masters student Mmatumisang Motsisi, received invitations to collaborate and perform nationally and internationally.
Distinguished Visitors / International Visits
Professor Ketu Katrak, researcher, guest lecturer and PhD co-supervisor, brought a wealth of experience in Drama and Dance/Choreography. Her books on current Indian contemporary choreography and postcolonial politics of the female body are relevant to discussion about decolonising curricula.
Ms Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza conducted workshops in playback theatre. She is a lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) where she teaches Theatre for Human Rights in the School of Arts, Drama for Life division. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts with an Honours degree in Drama in Education and Theatre as Activism. She is the founder of the Mankokosana Playback Theatre Collective and is an accredited Community Capacity Enhancement facilitator.
Mr Selaelo Maredi is a playwright, director and actor who offered lectures on South African protest theatre. In 1971, Maredi was a founder of the
Applied Theatre - Playback Theatre training.
Credit: Department of Drama
internationally renowned Workshop 71 Experimental Theatre, a unique space where artists could meet beyond race boundaries. Among the plays he has written are: Prosecution, Mboni, Bound by Love, The sun will soon rise, Boobsy Cooksy Doopsy, Not gender, Hell we can, Devine will, Breaking the cocoon of ignorance, S’kotiphola, and Alexandra Child.
Mr Théogène Niwenshuti conducted workshops on healing through movement. Born in Rwanda, he is a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of Cape Town (UCT), and has an MA (cum laude) from WITS School of Arts in Johannesburg. He is passionate about using arts-based methods to facilitate interventions focusing on social
transformation, community building, human rights, education, conflict/genocide resolution.