The FABI INSPIRE (Innovation Africa Stress Physiology & Infection Research Experiment) Open Air Laboratory was officially opened at a ceremony on 11 March. Located on the Innovation Africa @UP campus, this 10ha site is planted with Eucalyptus grandis, Eucalyptus dunnii, E. grandis clones and E. grandis x E. dunni seedlings. The primary aims of this experimental site will be to monitor the growth and responses of the Eucalyptus trees planted on the site to various factors including drought stress as well as the effects of insect pests and pathogens. Dr Ofentse Mathibela has been appointed to establish and run the facility with the first plants placed in the ground in December 2025. The establishment of the INSPIRE Open Air laboratory was made possible with support from the Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation, Merensky Timber, Mondi and Sappi and the University of Pretoria.  The facility will foster collaborative research projects between different faculties at the University of Pretoria, partners from other Universities (currently Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand) as well as forest industry collaborators.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was officiated by Hans Merensky Legacy Foundation Executive Chairperson, Prof. Khotso Mokhele, University of Pretoria Vice-Principal: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education, Prof. Sunil Maharaj, FABI Director Prof. Bernard Slippers, Stellenbosch University’s Prof. David Drew and Dr Ofentse Mathibela. The project was inspired by and is the sister site of the University of Stellenbosch’s EucXylo programme IMPACT Open Air Laboratory established at a site on the Lourensford Estate and will enhance research collaboration between the two Universities.