Science Centre on Road to Reality South Africa's Ivory Towers Turn

NEWS "Virtual" science centre on road to reality Potsdam. The uncertainty hanging over A site at Golm, which was the headquar government into action, after months of plans to build a science centre at Golm ters of military espionage during the 1930s, vacillation. But Heinz-Uirich Schmidt, near Potsdam, capital of the east German and later a training school for the Stasi, head of science at the ministry of science Land of Brandenburg, was alleviated earli was chosen as the location of the science and culture, argues that the decision, which er this month following the local govern centre. The science centre was originally he says came after a long but routine ment's approval of funding for scheduled to begin operating next year, but bureaucratic process, was in any case construction of the first building. until now it has seemed unlikely that expected this month. "Golm is a very high The move comes only a few weeks after building work would even begin by that priority for us," he adds. Hans Zacher, president of the Max Planck date. Schmidt says that the first building of Society (MPS), claimed that the Branden Speaking at a meeting in June, Zacher the science faculty could be operating by burg ministry of science and culture was warned Brandenburg that failure to hon 1997. The university, which complains that reneging on its promise to establish the our its commitments could cause MPS to the science faculty is at present in unsuit University of Potsdam's faculty of science move its institutes elsewhere. able and overcrowded offices in the New at Golm. MPS had decided to build three "New unforeseen difficulties for the Palace, says that a date near the end of the institutes - for colloid and surface state," he said, "also put our plans in ques decade is more realistic. research, gravitational physics and molecu tion." The MPS now says that either starting lar plant physiology - at the site on the The university believes that Zacher's date would be acceptable. basis of the ministry's promise. strong words shamed the Brandenburg Alison Abbott Before reunification, Brandenburg had South Africa's ivory towers turn towards townships Cape Town. The goals of publicly funded measures that favour blacks and women. research in South Africa's universities, Specific budgets will be attached to each technikons and museums will be reorga programme only after the volume, quality nized over the coming months to meet the and costs of the submissions has needs of the Reconstruction and Develop been assessed, according to Gerhard ment Programme (RDP), a scheme which von Gruenewaldt, vice-president of the enjoys cross-party support in the govern FRD. ment of national unity and which is FRO's plans have been applauded by intended to improve basic living condi many scientists as a careful response to tions and promote economic growth. the challenge to the country's scientists to The Foundation for Research "come up with suggestions on how they Development (FRD) now spends R70 can contribute to the development of million (US$19 million) annually, with South Africa", made earlier this year by around 60 per cent available to any area of Bernie Fanaroff, deputy director-general research. of RDP (see Nature 374, 664; 1995). But FRO will end its existing funding But Roy Siegfried, director of the schemes at the end of the year. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology at the researchers have been asked to submit University of Cape Town, expresses the Palatial accommodation: plans to build proposals within four new strategic concerns of others when he describes Potsdam University were approved In 1991. themes: "Competitive industry", FRD's plans as an "over-elaborate no universities. Recommendations to build "Improved quality of life", "Sustainable attempt to partition research into themes three, along with five Fachhochschulen environment" and "Effective science, which have areas of considerable overlap". (technical colleges), were later made by engineering and technology education and Siegfried argues that FRO should have Germany's science council, the Wis awareness". delayed its reorganization until the release senschaftsrat, which assumed responsibility To take part in the new programmes, of a government white paper on science for assessing the science and university researchers must submit by the end of and technology policy that Ben Ngubane, landscape in the former East Germany. next month their proposals for grants of the minister for arts, culture, science and Plans to build Potsdam University were up to five years, although many have technology, has promised will follow the subsequently approved in 1991. The histor complained that the deadline is too short. soon-to-be-finished audit of the activities ical New Palace, built for Frederick the More general proposals will also of the research councils. Second ("Old Fritz"), king of Prussia dur qualify, provided they are aimed at The specific programmes and their ing the Napoleonic era, was proposed as "building and enhancing research contents were chosen on the basis of a the site of the main campus; Babelsberg, an capacity", while money will also be broad consultation with the scientific eastern suburb of Potsdam which was the available for studentships, fellowships and community, says von Gruenewaldt. headquarters of the German Red Cross equipment and for developing a research But the increased emphasis on applied during the Third Reich and later the site of culture in historically disadvantaged research in FRO's plans has also caused the Jurisprudence Academy, the hub of the institutions. concern that this may be funded at the East German ideology machine, was cho FRD says that all proposals must be expense of basic research unless extra sen for the law faculties and some arts internationally competitive, involve money is forthcoming from the departments. collaboration with industry and include government. Michael Cherry NATURE · VOL 376 · 24 AUGUST 1995 629 .

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