ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

B.Sc.Agric. in Soil Science, cum laude, University of Stellenbosch, 1961

M.Sc.Agric. in Soil Science, cum laude, University of Stellenbosch, 1964

D.Sc.Agric. in Soil Science, University of the Orange Free State, 1971

CAREER

Assistant Professional Officer, Highveld Region, Department of Agricultural Technical Services, 1962-65

Lecturer in Soil Science, University of the Orange Free State, 1966-June 1970

Senior Lecturer in Soil Science, University of the Orange Free State, July 1970-June 1974

Professor and Head, Department of Soil Science, University of Fort Hare, July 1974-1986

Professor of Soil Science, University of Pretoria, 1987-present

Post-doctoral associate, Cornell University, January-June 1977

Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, 1985-86

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES

Member and former President of the Soil Science Society of South Africa

Member and former President of the Southern African Association for Farming Systems Research-Extension

Member of the International Union of Soil Science (IUSS)

Member of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources Working Group of the IUSS

Member of the Working Group on Land Degradation and Desertification of the IUSS

Was recently requested to become a member of the Working Group on Geomedicine of the IUSS

MEMBERSHIP OF OTHER BODIES/COMMITTEES

Has over the years been a member of a large number of bodies and committees, some of which are: Ciskei Rural Development Council Ciskei Agricultural Research and Extension Council Commission of enquiry into Agricultural Education (at all levels) in Ciskei Senate Executive Committee of the University of Fort Hare Gauteng Land Care Forum

INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS AND COOPERATION

Research on factors determining the usefulness and quality of soil resource inventories, Cornell University, 1977.

Sponsored by USAID. Research on relationships between soil factors and oesophageal cancer incidence in the Caspian littoral of Iran, 1977.

Ecophysiological studies on water stress in maize under hot,dry conditions in South Africa, together with the Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, 1985/86.

Cooperative research with the Federal Agricultural Research Institute, Braunschweig, Germany, on soil-plant-water relationships, 1989/90.

Cooperative ecophysiological studies to develop criteria for the selection of tea clones which are tolerant to hot, dry conditions, with the Universities of Antwerp, Ghent and Venda, 1998/2000.

Cooperative research on soil erosion in less developed areas of the Northern Province, South Africa, together with the Universities of Ghent, Leuven and the North, 1999/2000.

Study visit to Burkina Faso and Niger to look at community-based soil and water conservation approaches, 1995.

Visited various American and European universities and research institutions on various occasions. Upon invitation presented seminars at various of these.

INTERNATIONAL CONGRESSES/CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS/WORKING GROUP MEETINGS

Attended more than 10 international conferences, etc. in various parts of the world and presented papers at almost all of these. Acted as rapporteur of sessions at three. Was a member of the scientific committee of one and member of the organizing committee for two.

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

Author or co-author of about 100 scientific publications and reports in various fields of Soil Science, Land Use Planning and Agricultural Development in less developed areas.

LECTURING EXPERIENCE

Has 34 years of lecturing experience and developed new courses in various fields of Soil Science and Land Use Planning from introductory to honours level. These include more than 12 years at the University of Fort Hare, a "Historically Black University". During the latter period spent much time in remote rural areas doing investigations related to agricultural development. Has been supervisor/protor for several master's and Ph.D. students, including students from Belgium, Israel and other countries in Africa. I am presenting the only degrees with Land Use Planning as major in South Africa.

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Full name: Michiel Christiaan Laker

Date of Birth: February 22, 1939

Citizenship: South African

Postal address: Department of Plant Production and Soil Science University of Pretoria Pretoria 0002 South Africa

Telephone: Int. + 27 12 4203216

Fax: Int. + 27 12 4204120

E-mail: mlaker@postino.up.ac.za