A University staff member still finds it hard to believe that he did the most important part of an international meeting, miles away from home. Trevor Govender, a Lecturer in the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences’ Department of Nature Conservation, recently spent two weeks in the People’s Republic of China, attending the “Seminar on Soil Conservation and Desertification Control for Developing Countries” at the International Exchange Centre of Yangling Demonstration Zone. The seminar took place from 4 to 18 September 2025. Govender said the trip to China was supported by the Dean of the faculty, Professor Alfred Msomi, and the Acting Head of the Department of Nature Conservation, Professor Akash Anandraj, “so that our Institution could be expanded internationally. This forms part of the Faculty’s contribution to Vision 2030”.
Govender was requested to give the closing speech. Govender said he was “very humbled and honoured to deliver the closing speech”.
The opening part of his speech said that Govender was representing the National Ministry of Agriculture, and the University’s Department of Nature Conservation, and the Centre for Algal Biotechnology: Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban.
Govender opened his speech in a usual, but very powerful way: “A special greeting to His Excellency, the President of the Peoples Republic of China (in absentia); the officials of the Ministry of Commerce of the Peoples Republic of China; the Director of International Relations, the organising committee here in Yangling; the academics and research professionals from NorthWest A&F University, the People of China; and my fellow colleagues from Egypt, Jordan, Lesotho, Nigeria, and South Africa”.
Referring to some major Chinese landmines, Govender said that “it took great thought and creativity by the respective Dynasty Emperors to come up with these extra-ordinary developments that are a marvel even in these modern times”.
Govender also acknowledged the Chinese people’s willingness to create collaboration and share their resources with others. He also acknowledged China’s ability to educate and empower “us technologically so that we become self-sustainable; we appreciate that.” Govender added that they did not take for granted the fact that their stay in China was financed by the China’s taxpayers. “We will never take this kind gesture for granted,” Govender said.
Govender also conducted lectures online while he was in China. He said that was “hectic”.