Science for South Africa

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Science for South Africa © Academy of Science of South Africa August 2011 ISBN978-0-9869835-5-9 Published by: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) PO Box 72135, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, South Africa, 0040 Tel: +27 12 349 6600 • Fax: +27 86 576 9520 E-mail: [email protected] Reproduction is permitted, provided the source and publisher are appropriately acknowledged. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) was inaugurated in May 1996 in the presence of then President Nelson Mandela, the Patron of the launch of the Academy. It was formed in response to the need for an Academy of Science consonant with the dawn of democracy in South Africa: activist in its mission of using science for the benefit of society, with a mandate encompassing all fields of scientific enquiry in a seamless way, and including in its ranks the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists. The Parliament of South Africa passed the Academy of Science of South Africa Act (Act 67 in 2001) which came into operation on 15 May 2002. This has made ASSAf the official Academy of Science of South Africa, recognised by government and representing South Africa in the international community of science academies. cover.indd 1 2011/08/25 09:52:54 AM © Academy of Science of South Africa August 2011 ISBN978-0-9869835-5-9 Published by: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) PO Box 72135, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, South Africa, 0040 Tel: +27 12 349 6600 • Fax: +27 86 576 9520 E-mail: [email protected] Reproduction is permitted, provided the source and publisher are appropriately acknowledged. The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) was inaugurated in May 1996 in the presence of then President Nelson Mandela, the Patron of the launch of the Academy. It was formed in response to the need for an Academy of Science consonant with the dawn of democracy in South Africa: activist in its mission of using science for the benefit of society, with a mandate encompassing all fields of scientific enquiry in a seamless way, and including in its ranks the full diversity of South Africa’s distinguished scientists. The Parliament of South Africa passed the Academy of Science of South Africa Act (Act 67 in 2001) which came into operation on 15 May 2002. This has made ASSAf the official Academy of Science of South Africa, recognised by government and representing South Africa in the international community of science academies. 1 cover.indd 1 2011/08/25 09:52:54 AM CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 6 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER 8 1. IntRODUCTION: ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTH AFRICA 11 1.1 Introduction 12 1.2 Strategic Intent 12 1.3 Vision 12 1.4 Mission 12 1.5 Objectives 13 1.6 Values 14 2. PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES 15 2.1 Administration and Governance Activities 16 2.1.1 Governance 16 2.1.2 Membership 20 2.1.3 Infrastructure – Personnel and Physical 22 2.2 Scholarly Publishing Programme 23 2.2.1 Open Access Platform 24 2.2.2 ASSAf Scholarly Book Report 24 2.2.3 Peer Review of Disciplinary Groupings of South African Scholarly Journals 25 2.2.4 National Scholarly Editors’ Forum 25 2.2.5 Online Scientific Writing Service 25 2.2.6 Access to Core Commercial Databases 26 2.2.7 Institutional Repositories 26 2.3 Policy Advisory Programme 27 2.3.1 Clinical Research and Related Training in South Africa 28 2.3.2 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education 28 2.3.3 Science for Poverty Alleviation 29 2.3.4 State of Humanities 29 2.3.5 PhD Study: Enhancing the Production of Postgraduates in South Africa 30 2.3.6 Improved Nutritional Assessment in South Africa 30 2.3.7 Biosafety and Biosecurity 30 2.3.8 Low Carbon Cities 30 2.3.9 State of Water in South Africa 30 2.3.10 Envisioning a Strategy to Prepare for the Long-term Burden of HIV/AIDS 31 2.3.11 Emerging Threat of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in Southern Africa 31 2 2.4 Liaison Programme 33 2.4.1 International Liaison Activities 34 2.4.2 National Liaison Activities 36 2.5 Communication Programme 39 2.5.1 Marketing and Science Awareness-raising 40 2.5.2 Production, Publishing and Dissemination of ASSAf Reports 41 3. ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2011 43 COUNCIL’S RESPONSIBILITIES AND APPROVAL 44 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS 45 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION 47 STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 48 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN RESERVES 49 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS 50 NOTES TO THE ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 51 ANNEXURE A 59 3 ABREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS AAS African Academy of Sciences AGM Annual General Meeting ASADI African Science Academies Development Initiative ASSAf Academy of Science of South Africa BRIC Brazil, Russia, India and China CHE Council on Higher Education COHORT Committee of Heads of Organisations for Research an Technology COSTIS Consortium on Science, Technology and Innovation for the South CSFPA Committee on Science for Poverty Alleviation CSPiSA Committee on Scholarly Publishing in South Africa CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research DANIDA Danish International Development Agency DST Department of Science and Technology GLP Good Laboratory Practice GMOs Genetically Modified Organisms GYA Global Young Academy HSRC Human Sciences Research Council IAC InterAcademy Council IAMP InterAcademy Medical Panel IAP The Global Network of Science Academies IBSS International Bibliography of the Social Sciences IOM Institute of Medicine IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ISI Institute of Scientific Information MDR TB Multi Drug-resistant Tuberculosis MRC Medical Research Council NACI National Advisory Council on Innovation 4 ABREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS NASAC Network of African Science Academies NECSA Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development NGOs Non-government Organisations NRF National Research Foundation NSEF National Scholarly Editors’ Forum NSI National System of Innovation NSTF National Science and Technology Forum R&D Research and Development SADC Southern African Development Community SAJS South African Journal of Science SANPAD South African Netherlands Research Programme on Alternatives in Development SARUA Southern African Regional Universities Association SciELO Scientific Electronic Library Online SciELO-SA Scientific Electronic Library Online South Africa SfS Science for Society SPP Scholarly Publishing Programme S&T Science and Technology STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics TWAS Academy of Sciences for the Developing Word TWOWS Third World Organisation of Women in Science UCT University of Cape Town UKZN University of KwaZulu-Natal UP University of Pretoria USNAS United States National Academies of Sciences WRC Water Research Commission 5 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT the Academy has been succesful in establishing itself as a credible source of advice on a range of issues of national importance 6 he current year represents a water- Africa through the community of scholars that it shed for the Academy in that the represents, and through its brokering of interna- support that it has received from the tional interactions through contracts with other US National Academies of Science national academies of science. The accession of via the African Science Academies South Africa to the Brazil, Russia, India and China Development Programme (ASADI), (BRIC) group of countries provides an opportu- comes to an end. This funding was nity for the Academy, in conjunction with the na- granted in order to establish a func- tional academies of science in those countries, tioning secretariat for the Academy and to allow to propose a framework for collaboration and Tthe Academy to undertake the tasks expected of joint projects which will lead to increased growth a national academy. of research activities and the enhancement of human capital development. The message from the Executive Officer indicates that the Academy has been successful in estab- The election of ASSAf to the Presidency of the Net- lishing itself as a credible source of advice on a work of African Science Academies (NASAC) plac- range of issues of national importance. In addi- es a significant responsibility on the Academy to tion, the Academy has managed to establish assist with the establishment and growth of science the Scholarly Publishing Programme as one of the academies on the continent. The Council, with the outcomes of its first evidence-based study (Report support of the secretariat and the Members, is ad- on a Strategic Approach to Research Publishing dressing all of these challenges in order to ensure 2006). These are all important markers of the grow- that the Academy fulfills its role effectively. ing influence the Academy has in facilitating the growth of the National System of Innovation. I would like to thank the Executive Officer and the staff of the Academy for the critical contributions Challenges that the Academy faces in the fu- they have made to ensuring that the Academy ture are to ensure that it is financially sustainable achieves its mandate. In addition, the members based both on its grant from the Department of of Council and Members of the Academy are Science and Technology and from the funding thanked for the contributions they have made to that it generates through its advisory activities. the functioning of the Academy. The Academy should gain further recognition Professor Robin M Crewe for its role as the national Academy within South President: Academy of Science of South Africa 7 MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER another significant milestone was the election of ASSAf as President of the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) in November 2010 8 easured against international note addresses, the Deputy Minister of Science standards, the Academy of Sci- and Technology gave a dinner speech and the ence of South Africa (ASSAf) is Director-General of Science and Technology the a very young academy – less closing speech.
Recommended publications
  • PROGRAMME V3 – 16 September 2019
    NATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2-4 October 2019 CSIR ICC, Pretoria Reinventing South Africa’s Universities for the Future UPDATED DRAFT PROGRAMME V3 – 16 September 2019 This programme is subject to further change and will be updated regularly WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2019 Pre-conference workshops 08:00 – 11:30 Student success (participation by invitation only) HELM (participation by invitation only) Conference 10:30 – 11:45 Registration Tea and coffee on arrival 12:00 – 12:15 Opening and welcome: Prof Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor: Durban University of Technology and Venue Chairperson: Universities South Africa Board of Directors 12:15 – 13:00 Opening keynote address: Speaker to be confirmed. Venue 13:00 – 14:00 Lunch Venue 14:00 – 15:30 Session A Session B Session C Venue Venue Venue Ethics and integrity in research New Technologies and the Labour The production of Institutional Culture publishing Market (provisional) in South African Universities and the limits of transformation Speakers: Speaker: Speakers: Dr Molapo Qhobela, CEO: NRF Dr Surendra (Colin) Thakur, Director: Prof André Keet, Chair of Critical Studies Prof Stephanie Burton, Vice-Principal: NEMISA KZN e-Skills CoLab, Durban in Higher Education Transformation: Research and Postgraduate Education, University of Technology Nelson Mandela University University of Pretoria More speakers to be confirmed Prof Pamela Dube, Deputy Vice- Chancellor: Student Development and Support, University of the Western Cape Mr George Mvalo, Director: Social Justice and Transformation, Vaal
    [Show full text]
  • Creativity and Artificial Intelligence: a Digital Art Perspective Bo Xing And
    Creativity and Artificial Intelligence: A Digital Art Perspective Bo Xing and Tshilidzi Marwala University of Johannesburg PO Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006 Republic of South Africa [email protected] Abstract This paper describes the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to the creation of digital art. AI is a computational paradigm that codifies intelligence into machines. There are generally three types of AI and these are machine learning, evolutionary programming and soft computing. Machine learning is the statistical approach to building intelligent systems. Evolutionary programming is the use of natural evolutionary systems to design intelligent machines. Some of the evolutionary programming systems include genetic algorithm which is inspired by the principles of evolution and swarm optimization which is inspired by the swarming of birds, fish, ants etc. Soft computing includes techniques such as agent based modelling and fuzzy logic. Opportunities on the applications of these to digital art are explored. 1. Introduction In the age of the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) (Xing and Marwala, 2017), many countries (Shah et al., 2015; Ding and Li, 2015) are setting out an overarching goal of building/securing an “innovation-driven” economy. As innovation emphasizes the implementation of ideas, creativity is typically regarded as the first stage of innovation in which generating ideas becomes the dominant focus (Tang and Werner, 2017; Amabile, 1996; Mumford and Gustafson, 1988; Rank et al., 2004; West, 2002). In other words, if creativity is absent, innovation could be just luck. Though creativity can be generally understood as the capability of producing original and novel work or knowledge, the universal definition of creativity remains rather controversial, mainly due to its complex nature (Tang and Werner, 2017; Hernández-Romero, 2017).
    [Show full text]
  • Reducing HIV Infection in Young Women in Southern Africa
    SPOTLIGHT ON PREVENTION Reducing HIV Infection in Young Women in Southern Africa: The Key to Altering Epidemic Trajectories in a Generalized, Hyperendemic Setting Quarraisha Abdool Karim, PhD, and Hilton Humphries, MA The global HIV pandemic has evolved into Communities in Southern Africa1 are burdened a complex mosaic of epidemics within and with the highest HIV prevalence in the world. One between countries, with no single solution for segment of the general population is especially vul- preventing HIV infection. Increasing access to nerable: girls and young women. Some public health antiretroviral treatment has reduced AIDS-related experts now believe that the way to alter epidemic mortality and morbidity rates, but—with nearly trajectories in this region is to use rigorous inter- three million new infections each year—we are los- vention science to create innovative, comprehen- ing the HIV prevention battle (Joint United Nations sive prevention programming that targets girls and Programme on HIV/AIDS [UNAIDS] 2008), primar- young women. ily in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV Infection in Southern Africa For prevention efforts to succeed, prevention pro- Southern Africa is at the epicenter of the global gramming must be tailored to the specific charac- pandemic. Home to less than 1 percent of the teristics of the epidemic that is unfolding in the area global population, it carries a disproportionate to be targeted. Assessing an epidemic at the local or 17 percent of the global burden of HIV infection. regional level is an important first step to enhancing UNAIDS describes the region’s epidemic typology and customizing prevention responses. This requires as a generalized, hyperendemic epidemic charac- a nuanced understanding of who is at highest risk of terized by uniquely high HIV prevalence, ongoing infection and what drives that risk.
    [Show full text]
  • Dst-Nrf Centre of Excellence
    DST-NRF CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT Reporting Period 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013 CONTENTS Page Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..2 Progress Report…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Human Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….26 Outputs……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..29 Finances……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……40 Identification Name of Director : Professor Paul D. van Helden Names of Node Heads : Professor Valerie Mizrahi Professor Bavesh Kana Name of CoE : DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research Abbreviated CoE Name : CBTBR Host institutions : University of Stellenbosch, University of the Witwatersrand University of Cape Town Date completed : 06 /03/2014 CBTBR Annual Progress Report: 2013 Page 1 of 40 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. Financial Information (Funding of the CoE) Total NRF funding for 2013 (entire year) – CoE only : R 9 759 484 CoE-specific Funding from Host institution in 2013 – WITS : R 220 000 − UCT : R 136,398 − SU : R 817 148 Funding from other sources for the CoE in 2013 : R 46 821 623 Total funding : R 57 754 653 Total funding for 2013 for WITS node: R 8,657,475 • CoE funding from NRF: R 2,109,778 • Funding from WITS and the NHLS: R 1,770,095 , made up as follows: - WITS R 1,154,743 1 - NHLS R 615,352 2 • Funding from other sources: 3 R 4,777,602 , made up as follows: - HHMI IECS Award R 975,994 4 - NIH Subcontract R 2,266,608 5 (2 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2013) - Ship R 850,000 (1 Oct 2013 – 31 Dec 2013)
    [Show full text]
  • Download 2016
    L’ORÉAL-UNESCO FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE 2016 INTERNATIONAL AWARDS WOMEN IN SCIENCE have the power to change the world The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme was founded in 1998 with a simple aim; to ensure that women are fairly represented at all levels in science. We face unprecedented challenges in our world; climate change, sustainable energy, affordable healthcare, security among other issues. Part of the solutions will come from science and science needs women. Those recognized by the L’Oréal-UNESCO programme have already proved how transformative their science can be in addressing these challenges. Science is indeed part of the future, and it needs every talented mind available, be they men or women. The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science programme aims to ensure that research in every field takes full advantage of the intelligence, creativity and passion of one-half of the population of the planet. The world needs science, science needs women because women in science have the power to change the world. Isabel Marey Semper General Manager L’Oréal Foundation WOMEN IN SCIENCE have the power to change the world Gender equality is a global priority for UNESCO. In general, the situation for women and girls in terms of access to education, especially higher education, career progression and participation in decision making processes, remains a matter of concern. As ‘UNESCO Science Report: towards 2030’ shows, the disparity is particularly evident in the natural sciences where the number of women participating in science still lags behind in many areas like the physical sciences and engineering.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Issue 117
    South African Journal of Science volume 117 number 1/2 High lightning risk for rural communities in SA Predicting take-up of home loans using tree-based ensemble models Monitoring and conservation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems in SA Hominin lower limb bones from Sterkfontein Caves HIV self-testing is user-friendly and accurate Volume 117 Number 1/2 January/February 2021 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jane Carruthers Academy of Science of South Africa MANAGING EDITOR Linda Fick Academy of Science of South Africa ONLINE PUBLISHING South African SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Nadia Grobler Journal of Science Academy of Science of South Africa ASSOCIATE EDITORS Margaret Avery Cenozoic Studies, Iziko Museums of South Africa, South Africa Priscilla Baker eISSN: 1996-7489 Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa Pascal Bessong HIV/AIDS & Global Health Research Leader Programme, University of Venda, South Africa Celebrating multidisciplinarity Jennifer Case Jane Carruthers ....................................................................................................................... 1 Department of Engineering Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA Book Reviews Teresa Coutinho Department of Microbiology and Invasion science in South Africa: The definitive collection Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, South Africa Philip E. Hulme ........................................................................................................................ 2 Tania Douglas The University of Cape Town: Between apartheid
    [Show full text]
  • 14-Magazine-Jaa-Lower-Res.Pdf
    DTP 00016 - Alchemy print ad a4.indd 1 2013/07/26 11:00 AM contents contents 02 messages JEWISH ACHIEVER AWARDS CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE: Howard Sackstein NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, SA JEWISH REPORT: 04 Howard Feldman SPONSORS’ MESSAGES: Absa, Chivas, Kia and Creative Counsel awards 08 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN HONOUR OF HELEN SUZMAN: Meyer Kahn stories 10 CHIVAS HUMANITARIAN AWARD IN HONOUR OF CHIEF RABBI CYRIL HARRIS: Professor Jonathan Jansen 16 THE CREATIVE COUNSEL - “We always back the jockey, not the horse.” KIA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: 12 Rabbi Dovid Hazdan DAVOS - where great business, political & 18 social minds meet. 14 JEWISH REPORT ART, SPORT, SCIENCE & CULTURE AWARD: Professor Valerie Mizrahi 41 NADINE GORDIMER - Farewell to a literary icon 22 ABSA ENTREPRENEUR AWARD FINALISTS: Ian Fuhr, Gil Sperling, Daniel Levy, Ryan Silberman, Shelley DESIGN INDABA - where creative & business Geffen, Leon Rubenstein, Arthur Goldstuck, Adam Levy, 42 minds meet Nadav Ossendryver, Jacqueline Clingman, Paul Berman, Lawrence Diamond, Mark Samowitz, Barry Spitz, Shalya 56 Did Jews originate Psychology? Hirshson. The Jews of Silicon Valley ABSA BUSINESS ACHIEVER AWARD (UNLISTED 66 44 COMPANIES) FINALISTS: Ivor Ichikowitz, Michael Rudnicki, Cliff Garrun, Colin Lazarus, Gillian Ezra, Laurie 72 The lay of the land in SA Davidoff, Dawn Nathan-Jones, Anthony Orelowitz. 58 ABSA BUSINESS ACHIEVER AWARD (LISTED COMPANIES) FINALISTS: Mark Shwartz, Steven Braudo, PUBLISHER: SA JEWISH REPORT • Tel : (011) 274-1400 Ronny Katz, Mark Kaplan, Philip Smith. General Manager: Karen Knowles Advertising: Britt Landsman, Marlene Bilewitz 68 THE CREATIVE COUNSEL YOUNG JEWISH PRINTERS: Kadimah Print ENTREPRENEURS AWARD: Greg Blend, Grant Fieldman, www.kadimah.com David Lorge, Danny Nochumsohn, Ryan Canin, Nadav DESIGN AND LAYOUT: Danielle Rovetti Osendryver, Matt Sigler, Paul Ballen, Tom Raviv, Dan EDITOR: Ant Katz Stillerman, Ryan Peimer.
    [Show full text]
  • Object Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network Trained on Synthetic Images
    Master of Science Thesis in Electrical Engineering Department of Electrical Engineering, Linköping University, 2018 Object Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network Trained on Synthetic Images Margareta Vi Master of Science Thesis in Electrical Engineering Object Detection Using Convolutional Neural Network Trained on Synthetic Images Margareta Vi LiTH-ISY-EX--18/5180--SE Supervisor: Mikael Persson isy, Linköpings universitet Alexander Poole Company Examiner: Michael Felsberg isy, Linköpings universitet Computer Vision Laboratory Department of Electrical Engineering Linköping University SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden Copyright © 2018 Margareta Vi Abstract Training data is the bottleneck for training Convolutional Neural Networks. A larger dataset gives better accuracy though also needs longer training time. It is shown by finetuning neural networks on synthetic rendered images, that the mean average precision increases. This method was applied to two different datasets with five distinctive objects in each. The first dataset consisted of ran- dom objects with different geometric shapes. The second dataset contained ob- jects used to assemble IKEA furniture. The neural network with the best perfor- mance, trained on 5400 images, achieved a mean average precision of 0:81 on a test which was a sample of a video sequence. Analysis of the impact of the factors dataset size, batch size, and numbers of epochs used in training and dif- ferent network architectures were done. Using synthetic images to train CNN’s is a promising path to take for object detection where access to large amount of annotated image data is hard to come by. iii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my supervisor at my company Alexander Poole, for always being helpful and coming with interesting ideas.
    [Show full text]
  • Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, University of Natal, Private Bag X7, Congella 4013, Durban
    Doris Duke Medical Research Institute (2nd Floor), University of KwaZulu-Natal, 719 Umbilo Road / (Private Bag X7) Congella, 4013, Durban, South Africa Tel: +27-31-260 4555 Fax: +27-31-260 4549 E-mail: [email protected] MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY: The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2015, 12h15 (US SEATTLE) and 22h15 (SOUTH AFRICA) New tenofovir gel study shows no effect on HIV prevention: Lower than expected gel use impact FACTS trial results 24 February 2015 – HIV prevention for women suffered a setback today when a study conducted by the Follow-on African Consortium for Tenofovir Studies (FACTS) reported that its results do not confirm the HIV protective effect of tenofovir gel shown previously in the CAPRISA 004 trial. The FACTS 001 trial involving 2059 South African women showed no overall HIV prevention benefit of the gel. However, a sub-group analysis based on gel use confirmed by tenofovir detection in genital fluid, showed a 52% reduction in HIV infection. The CAPRISA study had reported in 2010 that tenofovir, applied as a gel before and after sex, reduced HIV infection by 39% overall and by 54% in women who used the gel consistently. CAPRISA is an official research institute of the The results of the FACTS 001 study, which was led by Professors Helen Rees and University of KwaZulu- Natal and Columbia Glenda Gray, were markedly influenced by the large proportion of women who did University. not apply the gel consistently. This is similar to the experiences in the VOICE CAPRISA was (Vaginal and Oral Interventions to Control the Epidemic) trial involving women from established in 2002 through a CIPRA grant Uganda, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
    [Show full text]
  • Lettre Parrain 2010
    Paris, February 2012 We are pleased to launch the Call for Nominations for the 2013 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science dedicated to the Physical Sciences. Dear Professor, You are invited to submit candidates for the 2013 L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards in Physical Sciences. You can propose outstanding women scientists from any continent. The five US$100,000 Awards will be presented in March 2013 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France to five women scientists who have made an outstanding contribution to scientific advancement. You will find enclosed The Call for Nominations describing the procedures, the official nomination form (one per geographic region), and a brochure of the Award Laureates from 1998 through 2011. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING NOMINATIONS IS MAY 30th 2012 The L’ORÉAL-UNESCO Awards Jury in Physical Sciences is presided by Professor Ahmed Zewail, Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1999, in the presence of Professor Christian de Duve, Nobel Prize in Medicine 1974 and Founding President of the Awards. In 2011, the Jury designated the following Laureates in Physical Sciences: Professor Faiza Al-Kharafi (Kuwait) for AFRICA & the ARAB STATES Professor Vivian Wing-Wah Yam (Hong Kong) for ASIA-PACIFIC Professor Anne L’Huillier (Sweden) for EUROPE Professor Silvia Torres-Peimbert (Mexico) for LATIN AMERICA Professor Jillian Banfield (USA) for NORTH AMERICA Fondation d’entreprise régie par la loi n°87-571 du 23 juillet 1987 modifiée 41 rue Martre – 92117 Clichy Cedex – Tél. + 33 (0) 1 47 56 72 74 – Fax : + 33 (0) 1 47 56 42 59 - E-Mail : [email protected] Siège Social : 14 rue Royale – 75008 Paris Since its inception in 1998, the For Women in Science partnership expands each year.
    [Show full text]
  • Science and Technology
    18 Science and technology The Department of Science and Technology aims to Some funds allocated to science councils were realise the full potential of science and technology earmarked to address specific South African (S&T) in social and economic development, through problems. The funding of science councils has been the development of human resources (HR), substantially reformed: core funding through research and innovation. parliamentary grants is complemented by The intellectual framework for policy is the allocations through a competitive bidding process National System of Innovation (NSI), in which from the Innovation Fund (IF). The IF applies three a set of functioning institutions, organisations, major criteria when making its selections: individuals and policies interact in pursuit of a competitiveness, quality of life and environmental common set of social and economic goals. sustainability. The department’s budget over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) has seen an Innovation Fund increase of 26%, most of which will fund new The IF was created to promote technological scientific research infrastructure such as the innovation; increased networking and cross- Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC). sectoral collaboration; and competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability and the National System of Innovation harnessing of information technology (IT). The NSI focuses on the role of technology in The National Research Foundation (NRF) claims economic growth and supports innovation and a management and administration fee from the technology diffusion. Since 1994, institutions such allocated budget for support services rendered. as the National Advisory Council on Innovation The IF’s strategic objectives include creating (NACI) have been established to advise the Minister a knowledge base in key technology and eco- of Science and Technology on policy and the nomic sectors; facilitating the exploitation and allocation of funding.
    [Show full text]
  • Academy of Science of South Africa______62
    Annual Report 2015/2016 Page 1 Annual Report 2015/2016 Page 2 Annual Report 2015/2016 Page 3 Annual Report 2015/2016 Page 4 Contents List of Tables ___________________________________ 6 Abbreviations & Acronyms ________________________ 7 Message – President _____________________________ 10 Molaetsa Wa Moporesidente Pegelo Ya ASSAf Ya Ngwaga Le Ngwana 2015 – 2016 __________________ 12 Message – Executive Officer ______________________ 14 Part A: Strategic Overview _____________________ 17 1 Vision _________________________________ 17 2 Mission ________________________________ 17 3 Values _________________________________ 17 4 Legislative and Other Mandates ___________ 18 5 Organisational Structure _________________ 18 6 Council ________________________________ 19 6.1 Council Composition _________________________ 19 6.2 Council Meeting Attendance _________________ 23 Part B: Performance Information ________________ 24 1 Overview ______________________________ 24 1.1 Service Delivery Environment _________________ 24 1.2 Alignment with Government Policies __________ 24 1.3 Significant Developments/Major Projects ______ 26 1.4 Service Delivery Improvement Plan ___________ 26 1.5 Strategic Outcome-oriented Goals ___________ 26 2 Performance Information by Programme ___ 27 2.1 Programme 1: Governance and Administration Programme ___________________ 27 2.1.1 Good Governance __________________________ 27 2.1.2 Diversification of Academy Membership ______ 27 Annual Report 2015/2016 Page 5 2.1.3 Recognition of Excellence ____________________ 29 2.2
    [Show full text]