Two students from Stellenbosch University (SU) recently advanced to the international round of a prestigious forestry award.
This was confirmed by Samantha Choles, the communications manager for the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA).
Yasmin de Raay, a master’s in industrial engineering student, and Chris Erasmus, a master’s in electrical and electronic engineering student, have used their skills to create innovative devices that will improve the forestry industry, said Choles.
Their projects were chosen as the best in South Africa in the 2025 Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Awards. This allows them to represent South Africa globally, said Choles.
Both students’ projects focused on monitoring aspects of tree growth and health, which is critical to resource optimisation and cost-effectiveness, by using technology to record and analyse data frequently and remotely, said Choles.
The Forestry and Wood Science building at Stellenbosch University. Two students working with the forestry department recently advanced to the international round of the 2025 Blue Sky Young Researchers and Innovation Awards. PHOTO: Danielle Schaafsma
While De Raay and Erasmus did not see their projects advance to the next round, they still feel “honoured” to have made it this far, said Erasmus. The next round would have been presentations at the International Council of Forest and Paper Association (ICFPA) CEO global roundtable this May in New York.
“I feel like I am not just representing myself but representing all students and researchers in South Africa, and the potential that we hold that often is not seen,” said De Raay.
Chris Erasmus and the dendrometer that he designed and built. PHOTO: Supplied/Chris Erasmus
Erasmus designed a solar-powered wireless dendrometer.
“The dendrometer allows real-time monitoring of trees’ growth patterns in a way that is cost-effective and low maintenance,” said Erasmus.
The device will allow researchers and the forestry industry to conduct research on a much larger scale than before, according to Erasmus.
Yasmin de Raay and the mini rhizotron that she designed and built. PHOTO: Supplied/Yasmin de Raay
De Raay designed a mini rhizotron system that can remotely monitor and map out root growth.
This solar-powered system is cost-effective, optimises resources, and can provide vital root growth data in remote field settings, making it a low-cost and low-maintenance product, according to De Raay.