1. the south african council for natural scientific professions presentation to the parliamentary...
TRANSCRIPT
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The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions
Presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology, Cape Town,
24 October 2012
Dr Rolf Becker Pr.Sci.Nat.Executive Director
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NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS ACT OF 2003
• The current Act (No. 27 of 2003) replaced the Natural Scientific Professions Act of 1993
• 1993 Act = Voluntary registration• 2003 Act = Compulsory registration
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WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY?
Professionals provide a service to the public.
The public has a right to be protected.
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WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY?
Professionals provide a service to the public.
The profession has a right to be protected.
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WHAT IS SACNASP’s FUNCTION?
• To register natural scientists.• To represent the practitioners of the natural
sciences and to campaign on their behalf.• To ensure maintenance of acceptable
standards of training. • To advise the Minister on matters relating to
the natural scientific professions.TO ENSURE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE
BY REGISTERED SCIENTISTS
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Whom and what does SACNASP represent?
• Professional Natural Scientists• The Community• Wide range of Intellectual Capital• A major investment in South Africa’s future“Education and research are for tomorrow, not today.
These are the investments society makes in its future”
(Casey NH, Livestock Science, 2011)
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What does SACNASP believe?
• That scientific evidence should be used as a matter of routine to inform decision and shape policy.
• That the sciences must be protected from the influences of money and politics.
• That the importance of knowledge, rationality, logic and deduction is paramount to our professions.
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CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION
• Certificated Natural Scientist (Cert.Nat.Sci.)• Candidate Natural Scientist (Cand.Nat.Sci.)• Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.)
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REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATIONCert.Nat.Sci.• Recognised 3 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR
EQUIVALENT and between one to five years experience.
Cand.Nat.Sci.• Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR
EQUIVALENT with no experience.
Pr.Sci.Nat.• Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT
plus three years experience.
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Certificated Natural ScientistLevel AA recognised 3-year National Diploma (N. Dip.) or 3-year Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) or the equivalent thereof with a minimum of one year appropriate work experience.
Level BA recognised 2- or 3-year National Diploma or the equivalent thereof, followed by 3 years of work experience in the event of the 3-year qualification and 5 years work experience in the event of the 2-year qualification.
The strict requirements for the basic sciences are not considered a prerequisite for registration at this level.
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WHY REGISTER ???• Register and be recognised!
– By Peers– Endorsed backing of unbiased Council– Public
• Enjoy Professional status• Protect and strengthen your Profession
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WHY REGISTER ??? (cntd.)
• No work identified under the Act may be done by persons who are not registered with SACNASP.
• Required for OSD!
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HOW DO I REGISTER?
www.sacnasp.org.za
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The Registration Process• Complete application received• Professional Advisory Committee (PAC)• Registration Committee (RC)• Qualifications Assessment Committee (QAC)• Council• Appeal Process• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
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NUMBERS
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STATISTICS
TABLE 2SACNASP age distribution for all categories from 30 April 2006 to 30 April 2012
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Age distribution (%)
60-plus 18 18 18 18 17 17 15
50-59 23 22 21 22 22 22 21
40-49 28 28 28 27 27 27 26
30-39 24 25 26 27 27 28 30
20-29 7 7 6 6 6 6 8
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STATISTICS
TABLE 3
SACNASP gender distribution from 30 April 2006 to 30 April 2012
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012Gender (%)
Male 82 80 78 78 77 75 73
Female 18 20 22 22 23 25 27
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STATISTICS
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NUMBERS as at 1 October 2012
• 369 Certificated Natural Scientists (+28%)• 453 Candidate Natural Scientists (+46%)• 4562 Professional Natural Scientists (+5%)
• 5384 Total (+446 for year; +9%)
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DISTRIBUTION IN FIELDS OF PRACTISE
• 28% Geological Science• 11% Earth Science• 10% Environmental Science• 8% Agricultural Science• 8% Animal Science• 7% Chemical Science• 4% Ecological Science
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CURRENT PROJECTS
• Strengthen SACNASP• Become more relevant• Rejuvenating the Act• Revising the Rules• Enhancing our visibility• Educate scientists and public
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CURRENT PROJECTS
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD)– Geology– Animal Science
• Modernise registration process • Streamline administration procedures• Marketing campaign
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IMPROVED SERVICE
• Frequent communication through regular newsletters
• Personal Indemnity Insurance• Support conferences and symposia• Regional breakfast sessions• Employment opportunities through website
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FUTURE PROJECTS
• Greater involvement in the development of curricula for the natural sciences
• Accreditation of training centres• Step up media coverage• Facebook• Start to engage the youth
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Thank you
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