A new look for SAEON’s Graduate Student Network and Indibano 2013

The GSN committee for 2013 is planning to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Indibano Student Conference in style. Back row, from left: Sindiso Chamane, Laura Danga, Tlou Masehela, Emma Gray and Manqhai Kraai. Front row, from left: Melissa Boonzaaier and Tanja van de Ven.

Indibano 2013 will be hosted by SAEON’s Fynbos Node at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town from 19 to 22 August 2013.

Since the new term started in April 2013, SAEON’s Graduate Student Network (GSN) committee members have been working tirelessly to give the GSN a “facelift”.

These exciting changes will bring about a new, more interactive and accessible website and the launch of a new GSN logo. Planning of the 6^th Annual Indibano Student Conference is also well underway and it promises to inspire delegates with talks on contemporary, challenging topics as well as provide networking opportunities.

Revamping the GSN website

Some of the exciting new features that will come with the new website, apart from the great new look and the new logo, include a “join us” tab to make joining the network a matter of a simple click.

We have updated the members’ profile, and the website now includes a list of all the previous winners from Indibano student presentations. We believe all this will motivate students to excel and improve on their current presentation skills, as well as affording them a chance to share their research.

An announcement will be distributed as to when the new website will be up and running.

Vibrant new GSN logo

The idea behind the new logo design is to showcase connectivity between research, students and researchers. While the previous logo also portrayed this, with the new energy and feel of the GSN, and the growth we have had in the past five years of Indibano, we felt it was time for a change.

Our aim is to create a platform where like-minded researchers/students with long-term research projects are able to network with each other and we believe the new logo encompasses our idea of connectivity. The new logo will be officially launched at this year’s Indibano.

Indibano 2013

SAEON’s annual Indibano Student Conference, organised by the GSN committee, will be celebrating its 6th anniversary this year. The committee members are currently organising this event and are promising a celebration in style!

This year’s conference theme is “Observing Our Changing Ecosystems”. The theme was chosen as it fits well with SAEON’s mandate of environmental and ecosystem studies. It also incorporates global themes and political “hot topics”. Researchers attending the Indibano will need to emphasise the relevance of their research in the greater global change agenda.

The conference will be hosted by SAEON’s Fynbos Node at the Kirstenbosch Research Centre in Cape Town – the Mother City - from 19 to 22 August 2013. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and oceans, a full-day conference, workshop and field excursion are events to look forward to for this year’s Indibano.