Email: [email protected] | Tel: +27 12 841 3987
Message from NSTF Executive Director Ms Jansie Niehaus, NSTF Executive Director, has an in-depth look at the challenge of increasing the number of women researchers and women science, engineering and technology (SET) professionals in general – both in South Africa and globally. Read more.
Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng Bursary Directory appointed Non-Executive Find the latest bursaries in science, Director of NSTF NPC engineering and technology (SET), sponsored by the Fuchs Foundation. The NSTF welcomes Prof Mamokgethi Recently-added bursaries include Phakeng as a non-executive director those from: of the NSTF non-profit company (NPC). Prof Phakeng is currently the CHIETA Bursary Programme vice-chancellor designate of the University of Cape Town. She has a PhD South African Women in Science in mathematics education from and Engineering (SA WISE) University of the Witwatersrand and a Scholarship B1 NRF rating. Vodacom Bursary Scheme
She has also served as secretary and Transnet Bursary Scheme member of the executive committee The Investec Bank CSI Bursary of the International Group for the Programme Psychology of Mathematics Education (2003-2007). She is trustee of the Visit the NSTF Bursary Directory to FirstRand Foundation and member of find information on available bursaries, the board of the CSIR. She is also the the different SET careers, and founder and Board Chairperson of inspiring stories of people in SET. Adopt-a-learner Foundation.
2017/2018 NSTF-South32 Awards – Thursday, 28 June 2018 Announcing the winners: The 20th group of winners will be announced at the prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards gala dinner. (The list of finalists is available online.)
Book tables and seats: This is a reminder to book tables and seats at the gala dinner of the 20th anniversary of the NSTF-South32 Awards. This is the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa and seating is limited. The theme is the International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All (2014-2024) as declared by the United Nations. Don’t delay contacting the NSTF at [email protected] to make your booking.
Astronomy tour for the Brilliants students: SAAO and SARAO are providing support for a national astronomy tour for the Brilliants students. The NSTF Brilliants Programme is a youth programme associated with the NSTF-South32 Awards. It is for the most outstanding 2017 matriculants in science and mathematics. (SAAO stands for the South African Astronomical Observatory. SARAO stands for the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory.)
New NSTF members Mzansi Bright Sparks The NSTF welcomes its new members: Margaret Jane Mouton is from Gauteng. She is studying BEng The Association of Science Mechanical at the University of Technology Engineering Pretoria. She is one of the first-year Mathematics and Innovation students who were recognised in the (ASTEMI) – part of the proSET 2016/2017 NSTF Brilliants Programme sector for top marks in mathematics and Radmaste Microscience – part of physical science in the National Senior the Civil Society sector Certificate Examinations. “An achiever is someone who not only works hard but works smartly and is able to find balance in their lives.”
Fourth Industrial Revolution discussion forum at the SA Innovation Summit There will be a Discussion Forum on the 4th Industrial Revolution to coincide with the SA Innovation Summit in Cape Town. The full event runs from 12-14 September 2018.
Free discussion forum attendance for NSTF members: People who want to attend the NSTF Discussion Forum – but not the Summit – can attend our event free of charge if they are employed by/affiliated to NSTF member organisations.
Special NSTF discounts for the SA Innovation Summit: If NSTF members want to attend both the SA Innovation Summit and the NSTF discussion forum, you will get a 5% discount through NSTF. NSTF members have a further concession on the Early Bird ticket special until 30 June! (The NSTF has negotiated a price freeze on the Early Bird offer.) This offer is only valid until 30 June, thereafter the 5% discount will apply if tickets are bought using the discount code published.
To book tickets, go to the Ticket Sales link. The promocode is entered right at the end of the registration process when the final price is being processed. The unique promocode: 2018NSTF
About the SA Innovation Summit: It is the biggest gathering on the continent of innovation-minded people focused on:
Entrepreneurial support and enablement
Deal making
Showcasing
Thought leadership
Pipeline creation and introduction
Business matchmaking
Networking
Knowledge sharing
Getting to know our Getting to know our award winners: Prof award winners: CenGen Eugene Cloete CenGen, a privately-owned company When it comes to pioneering water that provides molecular genetic nanotechnology applications, Prof services to agricultural industries, is Eugene Cloete has it, quite literally, in proof that dynamite comes in small the bag. Not only has his patented packages. What began as a one- “tea bag” water purification filter woman business has grown to a team been termed one of 10 world- of six focused and highly productive changing ideas by the Scientific members, whose outputs are American journal in 2010, but it has comparable with those of far larger the potential to transform the way research groups worldwide. CenGen is over 300 million people on the African recognised by international role continent consume previously players as an excellent research contaminated water. The “tea bag” partner and thus secures significant water filter uses nanofibres to suck global funding for its groundbreaking contaminants and bacteria out of work in the field of molecular water. To use the device, a person genetics. The company’s flagship simply places the bag in the neck of a research project is an attempt to water bottle in order to filter and clone the first wheat disease-resistant clean the water as it is consumed. gene in South Africa.
Read more about his work. He is one of Read more about the work. The SMME the winners of the 2016/2017 Award: (Small Medium and Micro Enterprise) is Research leading to innovation, by a one of the winners of the 2016/2017 team or individual through a corporate Award: Research leading to innovation organisation. by a team or individual through an SMME.
SET-related policies currently open for public comment Policies open for comment allow the science, engineering and technology (SET) community to keep track of the changing regulation environment. It is the last chance to comment on a policy.
South African Weather Service Act: Board of South African Weather Service: Nominations invited (by: Monday, June 18, 2018)
Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act: Prohibition on use of colistin as farm feeds or stock remedies: Comments invited (by: Wednesday, June 20, 2018)
Health Professions Act: Regulations: Registration of forensic pathology officers: Comments invited (by: Friday, June 22, 2018)
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: List of activities resulting in atmospheric emissions having significant detrimental effect on environment, including health, social, economic, ecological or cultural heritage: Comments invited (by: Monday, June 25, 2018)
National Health Amendment Bill: Comments invited (by: Monday, June 25, 2018)
International Trade Administration Act: Anti-dumping duties to expire in 2019 unless request is made by Southern African Customs Union (SACU) industry: Comments invited (by: Monday, June 25, 2018)
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: Regulations: National dust control: Comments invited (by: Monday, June 25, 2018)
National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act: National framework for air quality management in South Africa: Amendment: Comments invited (by: Monday, June 25, 2018)
Planning Profession Act: South African Council for Planners: Withdrawal of the Board Notice 118 of 2014: Determination of Guideline Professional Fees: Comments invited (by: Saturday, June 30, 2018)
Post-School Education and Training Information Policy: Comments invited (by: Monday, July 2, 2018)
Control of Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Bill: Draft (Comment by: Monday, July 9, 2018)
Health Professions Act: Rules: Payment of fees for accreditation of education and training offered by education and training institutions: Comments invited (by: Friday, July 13, 2018)
Animal Diseases Act: African Swine Fever Veterinary Procedural Notice: Comments invited (by: Tuesday, July 17, 2018)
Plant Breeders’ Rights Act: Receipt of applications for plant breeders’ rights: Comments invited (by: Friday, August 17, 2018)
Dental Technicians Act: Regulations: Registration and training of student dental technicians and technologists: Comments invited (by: Saturday, August 25, 2018)
SET-related policy news Sustainable Development Goals
Searching for Science-based Solutions to Poverty Eradication and Sustainable Development (IAP)
International Partnership in Transforming Innovation to Meet SDGs with New Transformative Approach (NRF)
National Development Plan
Government releases its tenth Industrial Policy Action Plan (Polity)
Innovation is critical for prosperity across the spectrum (DST)
SA has the R&D in place, but it’s not translating into knowledge-based workers (Business Day)
Medicine and health
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi: Media briefing on status of healthcare in the country (gov.za)
Government update on listeria outbreak: Joint media statement (gov.za)
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi: Health Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Agriculture
Western Cape Agriculture releases strategy to sustain honey-bee population (gov.za)
Land expropriation without compensation: Public hearings to begin in June (Mail & Guardian)
North West Rural Environment and Agricultural Development on strengthening Veterinary Services in the province (gov.za)
FAO's how-to guide to transforming food and agriculture (BizCommunity)
Minister Senzeni Zokwana: Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Transport
Minister Blade Nzimande: Transport Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Education
Minister Naledi Pandor: Higher Education and Training Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 NCOP (gov.za) and Minister Naledi Pandor: Higher Education and Training Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Environment
Environmental Affairs on International Day for Biological Diversity (gov.za)
Minister Gugile Nkwinti: Water and Sanitation Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Gauteng environmental management standard adopted (infrastructurene.ws)
Minister Edna Molewa: Environmental Affairs Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
South Africa working on Climate Change Bill (Polity)
Minister Gwede Mantashe: Mineral Resources Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Energy
Calls mount for energy plans update (ITWeb)
SA to add up to R50bn in renewable projects (TechCentral)
Thoughts on the optimal electricity-generation mix for South Africa (ee publishers)
New report shows that two coal IPPs would cost SA an additional R20 billion (SANGONeT)
Minister Jeff Radebe: Energy Media Engagement (gov.za)
Minister Jeff Redebe: Public Lecture on energy efficiency and fuel pricing (gov.za)
Minister Jeff Radebe: Energy Dept Budget Vote 2018/19 (gov.za)
Outcomes of debate: Should Eskom be restructured and if so how and when? (ee publishers)
South Africa to release new-look renewables bid window in November (Polity)
Can renewables supply 100% of our energy? (BizCommunity)
SAIEE / CIGRE Joint Event: The Role of Renewable Energy in the South African Electricity Power System: Johannesburg, 14 June 2018
7th International Conference on Engineering Mathematics and Physics (annual research conference): Prague, Czech Republic, 15-18 June 2018
The Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA) National Data Workshop 2018: Pretoria, 19-21June 2018
Manufacturing Indaba: Johannesburg, 19-20 June 2018
Africa Energy Forum 2018: Mauritius, 19-22 June 2018
Water Institute of South Africa 2018 – Breaking Boundaries Connecting Ideas: Cape Town, 24-27 June 2018
SASBMB-FASBMB Conference – South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: Potchefstroom, 8-11 July 2018
4th Geo Blue Planet Symposium: France, 4-6 July 2018
Southern African Transport Conference: Pretoria, 9-12 July 2018
POWER- GEN & DistribuTECH Africa: Johannesburg, 17-19 July 2018
Geocongress 2018: Johannesburg, 18-20 July 2018
ExtruAfrica 2018 – extrusion, application, education: Potchefstroom, 31 July - 3 August 2018
AAAS-TWAS Course on Science Diplomacy 2018: Trieste Italy, 20-24 August 2018
The SA Innovation Summit: Cape Town, 12-14 September 2018
SciELO 20 Years Conference: São Paulo, Brazil, 26-28 September 2018 – The event will celebrate 20 years of operation, in full alignment with the advances of open science
6th International Conference on Ethics Education: Stellenbosch, South Africa, 3-5 October 2018
36th Annual International No-Dig Conference and Exhibition: Cape Town, 8- 9 October 2018
EduTECH Africa 2018 and EduBUILD Africa 2018: Johannesburg, 9-10 October 2018
WasteCon 2018: Johannesburg, 15-19 October 2018
SA Energy Storage 2018: Johannesburg, 22-23 October 2018
29th SAIIE annual conference – Steering the 4th Industrial Revolution: Stellenbosch, 24-26 October 2018
AAPG International Conference and Exhibition: Cape Town, 4-7 November 2018
SciCOM 100 Conference 2018: focused on research in the field of science communication, Stellenbosch University, 6-7 November 2018
13th Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation Conference (2018SAEEC): 13-14 November 2018
Second International Summit on Human Genome Editing: Hong Kong, 27-29 November 2018
Science Forum South Africa: South Africa, 12-14 December 2018
The Water Show Africa 2019: Johannesburg, 12-13 March 2019
Power & Electricity World Africa 2019: 26-27 March 2019
The Solar Show Africa 2019: 26-27 March 2019
Energy Efficiency World: 26-27 March 2019
Members of NSTF in the proSET (Professional Societies) sector are featured in every newsletter. This month we look at the GSSA (Grasslands), NITheP, IITPSA and SAMF:
The aim of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) is to advance rangeland ecology and pasture management in Africa. The society publishes research, focuses on translating science into policy and practice, and develops human capacity in the field. It runs congresses and other events. The aim is to provide a forum for transdisciplinary debate, particularly between fields of production systems, biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services. GSSA also looks at assisting decision makers to understand the links between ecosystem services, global change, sustainability and human wellbeing. On the website, you will find further details, including the newsletter and a resources section.
The National Institute for Theoretical Physics (NITheP) focuses on “sustaining a stimulating theoretical physics research and user facility that links South Africa internationally through excellence in research and training thereby supporting scientific innovation, transformation and socio economic development in South Africa”. NITheP is a national facility that leads research programmes and educational opportunities in the field of theoretical physics in South Africa and Africa. It also provides South Africa with the opportunity to become an international player in a truly fundamental field of science. Programmes include bursaries and internships for students. For associates, there are visitor, mobility and research programmes, as well as workshops. There are also outreach programmes. You can find news and events on the website.
In the second week of May over 5000 learners wrote the 2018 Computer Applications Olympiad, a project of the Institute of IT Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) They had one hour to answer 20 questions – analysing large Word, Excel and Access (database) files. Eight hundred of them from 183 schools across South Africa qualified for the second round on 6 June. Only 10 to 15 from the second round will reach the Finals on 26 June. This will test their creative skills with big data sets. There will be an Awards Dinner on 27 June 2018 to celebrate these young achievers.
A record number of 106 000 grades 8-12 learners from 1 298 schools wrote the first round of the South African Mathematics Olympiad (SAMO) – a project of the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF) on 14 March 2018. There were 23 476 learners from 953 schools who qualified for the 2nd round which was written on 16 May 2018. The top 100 junior and top 100 senior learners will qualify for the 3rd Round on 26 July 2018.
The first round of the South African Mathematics Challenge (SAMC) – also under the auspices of SAMF took place from 8-11 May 2018. 71 459 Grade 4-7 learners from 715 schools took part. Learners who score at least 50% in the first round qualify to participate in the final round on 1 August 2018.
The 26th Pan African Mathematics will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 23-30 June 2018. The SAMF selected 6 high school learners to represent South Africa at the annual event.
Six Capetonians have been selected to participate in the 59th International Mathematical Olympiad in Romania from 3-14 July 2018.
Nka’Thuto Edu Propeller, a new NSTF member in the Civil Society sector, launched its offices on 19 April, and now its first official newsletter. The organisation was established by black, passionate advocates of science, education, innovation and entrepreneurship. Its mission is to advance innovation, science and creativity in schools in previously-disadvantaged communities.
SET education
Nuclear technology programme for township schools in Gauteng (Times Live)
Digital library in a box is helping school-goers boost their science and maths mark (Business Day)
Collaboration sees the birth of the STEM Academy at CUT (BizCommunity)
Universities
UJ home to new SARChI Chair in the Built Environment (University of Johannesburg)
Africa must lead, not follow, the 4th Industrial Revolution (SANGONeT)
First ever SARChI NRF Chair awarded to Faculty of Veterinary Science (agriorbit.com)
Law’s new chair will help promote environmental sustainability (NWU)
AfDB, Aims partner to strengthen, leverage maths, science skills in Africa (Polity)
Rhodes’ Centre for Biological Control awarded R68m contract to help control alien plants (Engineering Weekly)
Revelations from an online diagnostic arithmetic and algebra quiz for incoming students (SAJS)
Wits joins network to expand paediatric care in Africa (BizCommunity)
Language and education
It’s time to rethink what’s meant by “mother tongue” education (The Conversation)
Industry development
Petco confident in South Africa’s PET recycling resilience (Engineering News)
AfDB, Unido sign MoU to improve Africa’s industrialisation (Polity)
Small business owner celebrates desalination success story (infrastructurene.ws)
AgriProtein aims to break ground on R500m Gauteng fly factory in November (Engineering News)
First SA cannabis oil dispensary to open in Durban (SABC news)
Helping smallholders participate in the rise of agribusiness in Africa (BizCommunity)
Partnership brings first solar powered desalination plant to SA (infrastructurene.ws)
Unilever unveils R50m biomass boiler to cut emissions, waste (BizCommunity)
Medicine and health
Goodbye to your sweet tooth (Mail & Guardian)
Cancer Crisis: Where are South Africa's radiation oncologists? Find out (Bhekisisa)
NICD Listeriosis Situation Report – 28 May 2018 (NICD)
South Africa’s effort to improve child health is having teething problems (The Conversation)
New anti-tobacco products law to be introduced in SA (SABC)
Africa hosts very few clinical trials. Why this is bad for innovation (The Conversation)
Durban cuts city's only needle exchange programme (Mail & Guardian)
UCT engineers design affordable, efficient auto-injector (BizCommunity)
Providing healthcare to men who have sex with men is complex but possible (The Conversation)
SA leads the way in Aids research and treatment (BizCommunity)
Palaeontology, archaeology and anthropology
An ancient four-legged 'fish' has just been discovered, and named after Desmond Tutu (SABC)
Astronomy and space science
MeerLICHT telescope inaugurated (SKA Africa)
SKA to cost South African airlines (Engineering News)
Scientists to use SKA to gain information (SABC)
Environment, climate change and energy Water
Cape enjoys first sip of desalinated water (infrastructurene.ws)
Results of cloud seeding study bode well for Western Cape (infrastructurene.ws)
Climate change and environment
Africa fights illegal dumping of e-waste (ITWeb)
There’s much more to the plastic pollution crisis than carrier bag (Mail & Guardian)
UN, CSIR Africa Waste Management Outlook considers African context (Engineering News)
Biodiversity suffers as climate warms (phys.org)
Household food waste disposal in South Africa: A case study of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni (SAJS)
Our oceans are choking on plastic – Researchers (infrastructurene.ws)
Floods caused by climate change could wreck Kruger National Park‚ scientists warn (Times Live)
Tracking the battles for environmental justice: here are the world’s top 10 (The Conversation)
Over a million tonnes of paper diverted from landfill in 2017 (infrastructurene.ws)
The devastating impact of acid mine drainage (BizCommunity)
Prehistoric teeth dating back 2 million years reveal details on ancient Africa's climate (phys.org)
Climate change impacts fragile river ecosystems (phys.org)
Energy
New wind energy projects to fire up W Cape (ITWeb)
Sun is king! Government serving up more solar systems to the poor (Times Live)
Why nuclear power for African countries doesn’t make sense (The Conversation)
Scientists slam renewable energy prophets of doom (ITWeb)
Engineering
Decolonising engineering in South Africa – Experience to date and some emerging challenges (SAJS)
Agriculture
New app helps farmers obtain info quickly (ITWeb)
Better governance can enhance an inclusive and just food system in South Africa (BizCommunity)
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on African swine fever in Northern Cape (gov.za)
Opportunities and challenges for research on food and nutrition security and agriculture in Africa (IAP)
Economic Performance and Development (EPD) launches high-profile project on farmland reform (HSRC)
Keeping tabs on genetically modified crops (BizCommunity)
Ecology
Trends in behavioural ecology: Putting South African research in a global perspective (SAJS)
Why plants need an identity (The Conversation)
More scientists, researchers needed for interdisciplinary plant disease research network (BizCommunity)
Scientists stunned by decline of birds during epic Southern African roadtrip (phys.org)
Technology
Solving the data science conundrum (MoneyWeb)
SA firm in deal to manage solar with drone tech (ITWeb)
When big data meets overfishing (BizCommunity)
Join the African green movement online (ITWeb)
Data for research and action
Understanding and Using Tuberculosis Data (SANGONeT)
Gridded birth and pregnancy datasets for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean (Nature)
Science communication
White men’s voices still dominate public science. Here’s how to change this (The Conversation)
SET and tourism
Sutherland: Wishing on a rising star (Financial Mail)
Opportunities
Call for Nominations to the 2019 Young Physician Leaders programme (ASSAf)
Young SA students attend prestigious US science fair (ITWeb)
CSIR researchers to author global assessments of climate change science and policy (CSIR)
World Cultural Council acknowledges NRF Physicist with the World Award of Education (NRF)
Please forward this e-mail to your colleagues, business contacts and all interested persons! Send us your news The NSTF invites all our members, as well as all SET and innovation role players, to send us information on meetings, conferences and activities of interest to the broader S&T community. Please send us your news by the 20th of the month, for distribution at the beginning of the following month, to [email protected]
Feedback If you have any comments or suggestions on how we can improve this newsletter, please e-mail the NSTF Secretariat at [email protected]
About the NSTF The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), established in 1995, is a broadly- representative stakeholder body for all SET and innovation organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF-South32 Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to SET and innovation. The science bursaries page provides information on bursaries and bursary providers for science, engineering and related studies.
Disclaimer The NSTF has taken all practical measures to ensure that the material contained in this newsletter is correct. The NSTF reserves the right to make changes as it deems necessary. Privacy Registration details submitted to the NSTF will be treated confidentially and will only be used by NSTF to communicate with its members and subscribers.
For more information www.nstf.org.za E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 27 12 841 3987 Fax: 27 12 841 3025 Non Profit Company Registration Number: 2007/029165/08 NPO Registration Number: 92042 Donor tax exemption for all donations to the NSTF