Grassroots Vol 20 No 3 | Page 11

CONGRESS 55 Meet the new GSSA President: Kevin Kirkman Debbie Jewitt Current Address: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife I would like to introduce you to the new President of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa. Kevin Kirkman is currently a Professor and Chair of the Discipline of Grassland Science at the University of Kwa- Zulu-Natal. He lectures under- and postgraduate students in the School of Life Sciences, supervises postgraduate student research as well as contributes to the management of the School. In addition, he has been, Head: School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, Deputy Dean: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Director: College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, Dean of Research: College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, and Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science. He has supervised 6 postdocs, 12 PhD students, 28 MSc and has 7 currently registered postgrad students. He has more than peerreviewed 92 publications. Kevin has a long and good history with the Grassland Society. He has been an active member since 1986 (34 years). He has been a member of the publications sub-committee for the International Conference: Meeting Rangeland Challenges in the 1990s. He was the Public Relations Officer 1993/1994, he was Chairman of the organising committee for Congress 31 held in Nelspruit, a member of the executive council in 1997, President in 1999, Chairman of the Grassland Society Trust 2001-2003 and Chairman of the organising committee for the 50th Congress of the Society. I cannot think of a more suitably qualified and experienced leader to take the Society forward during these unchartered times. Congratulations Kevin!” Figure 1: Kevin Kirkman Grassroots Vol 20 No 3 September 2020 10