To conclude a successful 2016, students and staff from the Institute for Plant Biotechnology (IPB) came together on Friday, 2 December, to give feedback on research progress and then to relax at the year-end function.

Biannually, all postgraduate students at the IPB are required to report on the progress that they have made on their research projects. The research day serves as an opportunity for students to impress their peers and supervisors with research results obtained from laboratorial work done during the previous six months. Staff members also use this opportunity to identify potential experimental problems and shortcomings in an effort to limit the time that postgraduate students take to complete their research and theses.

The research component of the day was followed by an afternoon gathering at the Swaaibrug, Stellenbosch. Here, students and staff relaxed on the shaded green lawns with some snacks. The more energetic members kicked around soccer or rugby balls (to the detriment of some heads and food plates), tried their hand at racket ball or displayed some acrobatic exercise moves. This was followed by a spit-braai and something sweet to end the relaxed afternoon. The IPB would like to thank Mrs Pauliane Davidse for organising a lovely day.

The IPB is furthermore proud to announce the successful completion of postgraduate degrees for six BSc honours students and of seven master's degrees. These degrees will be awarded at the December graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Science and will conclude the official activities for members of the IPB for 2016. We would like to congratulate all our students on a job well done in 2016.