The Cereal Science and Technology-SA (CST-SA) association annually hosts a conference for young and upcoming scientists working on cereals. At this conference, postgraduate students are invited to present their research at a national level, thereby providing them with the opportunity to gain experience in delivering a scientific paper in front of an audience. The third New Voices Symposium was held at the Grain Building in Pretoria on 11 September. The conference was preceded by a cocktail event the night before, where various stakeholders and potential employers in the cereals industry were invited to meet and interact with the students.
Alana Crotz was invited by the South African Cultivar and Technology Agency (SACTA) to attend both events. Even though Alana is not a postgraduate student yet, but enrolled for a BSc in Life Sciences at UNISA, she found the symposium extremely insightful. She also enjoyed meeting the role players in the wheat industry. We are grateful towards SACTA for sponsoring Alana’s trip to Pretoria.
The students were treated to a tour of the Southern African Grain Laboratory (SAGL) premises by Dr Wiana Louw, director of the SAGL. 
The students were presented to the audience at the elegant cocktail event.
