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MessagefromNSTFExecutiveDirectorMsJansieNiehaus,NSTFExecutiveDirector,looksataccesstoenergyinSouthAfrica.SouthAfricaisshowingrealpromiseregardingsustainableenergyinnovations;however,theseneedtogettomarketassoonaspossible.Readmore.
NSTFNews
2017/2018NSTF-South32Awards–Thursday,28June2018Announcingfinalists:Thefinalistsforthe20thprest igiousNSTF-South32AwardswillbeannouncedinMay2018.
Booktablesandseats:ThisisaremindertobooktablesandseatsattheNSTF-South32Awards.Thisisthe‘ScienceOscars’forSouthAfricaandseatingislimited.ThethemeistheInternationalDecadeofSustainableEnergyforAll(2014-2024)asdeclaredbytheUnitedNations.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,[email protected].
Gettingtoknowourawardwinners:ProfBhekieMambaProfBhekieMambaistheExecutiveDeanoftheCollegeofScience,EngineeringandTechnologyatUnisa.Hisresearchhasledtothecreationofnewnanotechnology-basedsystemstotacklemajorchallengesinsustainablyprovidingsafeandcleanwatertodisadvantagedcommunit ies.Becauseofthenatureoftheresearch,postgraduatestudentsoftheWaterResearchGrouparemult idisciplinary–fromchemiststophysicistsandengineers.Strategicglobalcollaborationshaveaddedaninternationalflairtotheproject.Readmoreabouthiswork.Heisoneofthewinnersofthe2016/2017NSTF-WaterResearchCommissionAwardforsustainablewatermanagement,knowledgegenerationandsolut ions.
Gettingtoknowourawardwinners:ProfMartinWittenbergDataFirstisaresearchunit anddataservicebasedattheUniversityofCapeTown.It providesresearcherswithonlineaccesstosurveyandadministrat ivemicrodatafromSouthAfricaandotherAfricancountries.IthasbecometheleadingsocialsciencedataarchiveontheAfricancontinentandtheonlyonewiththe“datasealofapproval”.It hasplacedSouthAfricanandAfricandataatthecoreofsomeofthemostexcit ingresearchprojects,rangingfrompublichealthtodevelopmentandinequality.DataFirstisledbyProfessorMart inWittenberg.Readmoreabouthiswork.Heisoneofthewinnersofthe2016/2017DataforResearchAwardbyadvancingtheavailability,managementanduseofdataforresearch.
CongratulationstoNSTFExcomember,ProfMarissaRollnickNARST,aworldwideorganisationforimprovingscienceteachingandlearningthroughresearch,hasbestowedonProfMarissaRollnickitshighesthonour,the2018NARSTDist inguishedContributiontoScienceEducationthroughResearchAward.Theawardrecognisesscholarswhohavemadecontributionsto,providednotableleadershipin,andhadsubstantialimpactonscienceeducationthroughresearchoveraperiodofatleast20years(34yearsinProfRollnick’scase).NARSTcelebratesits90thanniversarythisyear.Readmore.
MzansiBrightSparksSalemaneNgakanaisfromtheFreeState.HeisstudyingElectromechanicalEngineeringattheUniversityofCapeTown.Heisoneofthefirst-yearstudentswhowererecognisedinthe2016/2017NSTFBrilliantsProgrammefortopmarksinmathematicsandphysicalscienceintheNationalSeniorCert ificateExaminations.Readmore.
“Neverunderestimatethemeaningbehindthephrase:‘Knowledgeispower’.”
Share‘nDareactivitiesTheNSTFpromotesscience,engineering,technology(SET),includingmathematicsandinnovation,amongtheyouth.TheShare‘nDareProgrammeissponsoredbytheCarl&EmilyFuchsFoundation.
On12April2018,ProfMart inWittenbergwasinvitedbyNorth-WestUniversitytogiveaNSTF‘Share‘nDare’ScienceTalktoGrade10and11learnersfromMmabathoHighSchool,Mafikeng.Readmore.
BursaryDirectoryFindthelatestbursariesinscience,engineeringandtechnology(SET).ThisdirectoryserviceissponsoredbytheFuchsFoundation.Recently-addedbursariesincludethosefrom:
StandardBankGroup150BursaryProgramme
ShopriteGroupBursaryProgramme
TheOMIGImfundoTrustScholarship
EskomBursaryScheme
Jones&WagenerBursaryScheme
Kantey&TemplerBursaryProgramme
Visit theNSTFBursaryDirectorytofindinformationonavailablebursaries,andthecompanieswhousuallyprovidebursaries,thedifferentSETcareers,andinspiringstoriesofpeopleinSET.
FeaturedSETpolicy:NDP–Transforminghumansettlements(Chapter8,NDP)Inaseriesofart icles,theNSTFisunpackingtheNationalDevelopmentPlan.ThissectionlooksatwhatisneededtoreshapeSouthAfrica’ssett lementpatterns.Readmore.
Clickhereforthecompletedocumentofalltheprevioussummaries.
SET-relatedpoliciescurrentlyopenforpubliccommentPoliciesopenforcommentallowthescience,engineeringandtechnology(SET)
communitytokeeptrackofthechangingregulat ionenvironment.It isthelast
chancetocommentonapolicy.
PharmacyAct:SouthAfricanPharmacyCouncil:Nominationsinvited(Commentby:Thursday,May17,2018)
HealthProfessionsAct:Rules:Registrat ionbymedicalpract it ionersanddentistsofaddit ionalqualificat ions:Amendment:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Wednesday,May23,2018)
NationalEnvironmentalManagement:WasteAct:Regulat ions:Nationalhealthcarewastemanagement:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Wednesday,May30,2018)
NationalEnvironmentalManagement:WasteAct:Nationalnormsandstandardsforvalidationoftreatmentefficacyandoperationofnon-combustiontreatmenttechnologyusedtotreathealthcareriskwaste:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Wednesday,May30,2018)
IntegratedPlanningFrameworkBill:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Monday,June4,2018)
NationalEnvironmentalManagement:WasteAct:Consultat iononproposedIndustryWasteTyreManagementPlans:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Tuesday,June5,2018)
Fert ilizers,FarmFeeds,AgriculturalRemediesandStockRemediesAct:Prohibit iononuseofcolist inasfarmfeedsorstockremedies:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Wednesday,June20,2018)
HealthProfessionsAct:Regulat ions:Registrat ionofforensicpathologyofficers:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Friday,June22,2018)
ControlofTobaccoProductsandElectronicDeliverySystemsBill:Draft(Commentby:Monday,July9,2018)
HealthProfessionsAct:Rules:Paymentoffeesforaccreditat ionofeducationandtrainingofferedbyeducationandtraininginst itut ions:Commentsinvited(Commentby:Friday,July13,2018)
SET-relatedpolicynewsDSTBudgetVote
Minister'smediastatementontheDSTBudgetVoteinParliamenton09May2018(DST)
Biggerbudgetforscience,techinit iat ives(ITWeb)
SciencedepartmenttakesonTreasuryoverdamagingbudgetcuts(BusinessDay)
Medicineandhealth
Putt ingTBonthepolit icalagenda(BizCommunity)
NorthWest:Theclosestworkinghospitalmaybemorethan200kmawayforsomenow(Bhekisisa)
Healthtaxdeterrentgoesupinsmoke(BizCommunity)
Africanscientistscallformorecontroloftheircontinent’sgenomicdata(Nature)
Statecapturestrikesagain?Why95%ofmedicinesaremissingatNorthWestclinics(Bhekisisa)
Qualityimprovementinthehealthsectoriseverybody'sbusiness(BizCommunity)
Agriculture
AgriSAlauncheswaterdesktoensurefarmersgetfairshareofpreciousresource(polity)
Internationalfunding
USthreatenstocutfundingtoSouthAfrica(Mail&Guardian)
SouthAfrica'smostadvancedsatellitetosupportOperationPhakisa(DST)
SouthAfricaurgedtoinvestinearlychildhooddevelopment(polity)
Governmentunlocksbillionsmoreforfreehighereducation(polity)
Africanresearchindangerduetolowpriorit isat ion(SciDevNet)
Energy
Energydepartmentcutsbudgetallocationforcleanenergy(Mail&Guardian)
Nersacreatingrooftopsolarrules,includingforyourhomeinstallat ion(TechCentral)
Breakdown:Whyispetrolsopricey?(Mail&Guardian)
NissanwantsSAgovtinterventiononelectriccars(ITWeb)
MinisterJeffRadebe:LaunchofBlackEnergyProfessionalsAssociat ion(gov.za)
NUMthreatenstoendANCsupportovergreenpower(Mail&Guardian)
RadebelinksIRPcertaintytoRamaphosa’s$100bninvestmentdrive(polity)
JeffRadebesignsrenewableenergycontractsaftermorethantwoyearsofdelays(Mail&Guardian)
Africa'senergyrevolut ionisunderway,butchallengesremain(BizCommunity)
AMSATSASpaceSymposium2018:Pretoria,19May2018
A-OSHExpo–Africa'soccupationalsafety&healthtradeexhibit ion:Johannesburg,22-24May2018
HortgroScienceTechnicalSymposium2018–TheBigThirst:SomersetWest,28May-1June2018
NuclearAfrica2018Conference:Johannesburg,6-8June2018
AfricaBlueEconomyForum:London,7-8June2018
7thInternationalConferenceonEngineeringMathematicsandPhysics(annualresearchconference):Prague,CzechRepublic,June15-18,2018
ManufacturingIndaba:Johannesburg,19-20June2018
AfricaEnergyForum2018:Maurit ius,19-22June2018
WaterInst ituteofSouthAfrica2018–BreakingBoundariesConnectingIdeas:CapeTown,24-27June2018
SASBMB-FASBMBConference–SouthAfricanSocietyofBiochemistryandMolecularBiology:Potchefstroom,8-11July2018
4thGeoBluePlanetSymposium:France,4-6July
POWER-GEN&DistribuTECHAfrica:Johannesburg,17-19July2018
Geocongress2018:Johannesburg,July18-20
ExtruAfrica2018–extrusion,applicat ion,education:Potchefstroom,31July-3August2018
AAAS-TWASCourseonScienceDiplomacy2018:TriesteItaly,20-24August2018
TheSAInnovationSummit:CapeTown,12-14September2018
SciELO20YearsConference:SãoPaulo,Brazil,26-28September2018–Theeventwillcelebrate20yearsofoperation,infullalignmentwiththeadvancesofopenscience.
6thInternationalConferenceonEthicsEducation:Stellenbosch,SouthAfrica,3-5October2018
36thAnnualInternationalNo-DigConferenceandExhibit ion:CapeTown,8-9October2018
EduTECHAfrica2018andEduBUILDAfrica2018:Johannesburg,9-10October2018
WasteCon2018:Johannesburg,15-19October2018
SAEnergyStorage2018:Johannesburg,22-23October2018
29thSAIIEannualconference–Steeringthe4thIndustrialRevolut ion:Stellenbosch,24-26October2018
AAPGInternationalConferenceandExhibit ion:CapeTown,4-7November2018
SciCOM100*Conference2018:focusedonresearchinthefieldofsciencecommunication,StellenboschUniversity,6-7November2018
13thSouthernAfricanEnergyEfficiencyConfederationConference(2018SAEEC):13-14November2018
ScienceForumSouthAfrica:SouthAfrica,12-14December2018
TheWaterShowAfrica2019:Johannesburg,12-13March2019
Power&ElectricityWorldAfrica2019:26-27March2019
TheSolarShowAfrica2019:26-27March2019
EnergyEfficiencyWorld:26-27March2019
TheSouthAfricanInst ituteofAgriculturalEngineers(SAIAE)representsthedisciplineofagriculturalengineeringinSouthAfrica.Thewebsiteprovideslinkstoitsnewsletter,employmentopportunit ies,events,trainingplusmore.Thereisalsodetailedinformationonstandardsandnormsintheindustry.
ConsciousthatthefutureprosperityofSouthAfricadependsonincreasednumbersofmathematicallyqualifiedpersonnel,thetwoprofessionalsociet iesformathematicsinthecountrydecidedtopoolresourcesthroughtheNPO,theSouthAfricanMathematicsFoundation(SAMF).Thetwoprofessionalsociet iesare:TheSouthAfricanMathematicalSociety(SAMS)andtheAssociat ionforMathematicsEducationofSouthAfrica(AMESA)whichtogetherrepresenttheentiremathematicscommunityinSouthAfrica.Thewebsiteshowsevents,programmesandthenewsletter,amongotherthings.
TheGeologicalSociety(GSSA)Councilhasrat ifiedaposit ionstatementonharassmentordiscriminationofanykind,inlinewithmanyotherprofessionalbodiesaroundtheworld.ThestatementalignswiththeCodeofEthicsbutismorespecific.
SETEducation
TouchTutorQuizgetsamakeover(ITWeb)
Africamustlead,notfollow,the4thIndustrialRevolut ion(saNGOnet)
Amateurradiosciencetodrawstudentsintoastronomy(eepublishers)
Maths,scienceappupskillsMagaliesburgschoolpupils(ITWeb)
Engineering
Newappsimplifiesengineeringcalculat ions(ITWeb)
Universities
AcademicInst itut ionsShouldPrepareUndergraduatesforaData-DrivenWorkplace,NewReportRecommends(TheNationalAcademies)
CUTtrainingfarmopens(BizCommunity)
ReportUrgesDevelopmentandEvaluationofApproachesthatIntegrateSTEMMFieldswithArtsandHumanit iesinHigherEducation(TheNationalAcademies)
SouthAfricanuniversit ieslosingtheircredibility(TimesLive)
WhathappenswhenyouputAfricanphilosophiesatthecentreoflearning(BizCommunity)
Gender
Pleasepart icipateintheinternationalsurveyonthegendergapinscience–foranyone(bothmenandwomen)whohasstudiedorworkedinmathematics,computing,naturalsciences,orthehistoryandphilosophyofscienceandtechnology(Stat ist icalresearchCentre).
Industrydevelopment
Tyrerecyclingsuccessstorybodeswellfortheindustry(infrastructurene.ws)
Innovation,peoplekeytocreatingasustainablebioeconomy(BizCommunity)
MedicineandHealth
Gaffidrawsup'essential'list ofdiagnostictests(BizCommunity)
SUscientistshelpdevelopbloodtestthatpredictsonsetofTB(saNGOnet)
NICDconfirmsmangoflymaggotinfestat ioninNorthWestprovince(BizCommunity)
Investingindrugdevelopmentstrategiestocurbantimicrobialresistance(SAMRC)
FamilyphysiciansareimprovinghealthcareinSouthAfrica’sruralcommunit ies(TheConversation)
Africa'sfirst neuromicroscopesystemgoeslive(BizCommunity)
Air-pollut iontrackersseektofillAfrica’sdatagap(Nature)
We’vecomeupwithaTBtestthat’scheaper,quickerandmoreaccurate(TheConversation)
Badsciencewon’tundoSemenya(Mail&Guardian)
Study:NewvaccinestrategyforHIV-exposedbabies(BizCommunity)
TBPatientsHoldTheirBreathforBetterTreatment(Bhekisisa)
BillGatesbacksgenetechinfighttoendmalaria(ITWeb)
WhymanufacturingakeyvaccineinSouthAfricaissoimportant(TheConversation)
DiabesityontheincreaseinyoungAfricanwomen(BizCommunity)
Scientistsdesignanovelformulathatrepelsandkillsmosquitoes(TheConversation)
Projectedeffect ivenessandaddedvalueofHIVvaccinationcampaignsinSouthAfrica:Amodelingstudy(Nature)
Whenwillclinicaltrialsfinallyreflectdiversity?(Nature)
Nineoutof10peoplebreathingpollutedair:WHO(phys.org)
HowminedumpsinSouthAfricaaffectthehealthofcommunit ieslivingnearby(TheConversation)
Highriskofmalariadetectedinbloodfortransfusions(SciDevNet)
Palaeontology,archaeologyandanthropology
Researchersstudyhowearlyhumansthrivedthroughvolcanicwinter(phys.org)
Fossilteethrevealnewfactsaboutamassextinct ion260millionyearsago(TheConversation)
Geology
TheCouncilforGeosciencecollaborateswithMintekconcerningscientificandtechnicalco-operationinthefieldsofgeosciences(CouncilforGeoScience)
Africaissplitt ingintwo(phys.org)
Astronomyandspacescience
Africanregionsettobenefit fromnewSpaceWeatherWarningCentre(DST)
SouthAfrica’sMeerKATradiotelescopeobservesarareburstofact ivityfromanexoticstar,demonstrat ingoutstandingcapabilit iesasanewinstrumentforscientificexplorat ion(SKAAfrica)
Environment,climatechangeandenergyWater
TheCityofCapeTowndenouncesicebergsolut iontowatercrisis(Mail&Guardian)
Thefutureofwater:Fromyourtoilettoyourtapandbackagain(Bhekisisa)
WesternCapeAgricultureonusinginnovativewaystocommunicatedroughtinformation(gov.za)
Climatechangeandenvironment
WorldBanktohelpAfricanpropertydevelopersgogreen(infrastructurene.ws)
Fightagainstpollut ioncouldgetboostwithnewplast ic-eatingenzyme(BusinessDay)
Makingcit iescoolerisanobrainer-sowhyarewedoingsolitt leaboutit?(BizCommunity)
Clearsignsofglobalwarmingwillhit poorercountriesfirst (Nature)
Freshwaterthefirst vict imofclimatechange–GAfWaC(infrastructurene.ws)
Energy
SAentrepreneurcreatesnewwaytopowerAfrica(ITWeb)
SAfallingbehindonrenewableenergy(polity)
DevelopmentbanktodriveAfrica’ssolardevelopment(eepublishers)
Blockchain-basedsolarstart-upintrosdigitaltoken(ITWeb)
Hydrogenfuelcelltechnologybringspowertoruralschool(DST)
SouthAfricatoget$73mtowardsthreewindfarms(BizCommunity)
Insidethe“coalsupplyemergency”atEskom…(eepublishers)
Agriculture
BettergovernancecanenhanceaninclusiveandjustfoodsysteminSouthAfrica(BizCommunity)
NorthWestonBirdFluoutbreakinpartsoftheProvince(gov.za)
Dangeroushitchhikers:Newmeasurestohelpstopthespreadofplantpestsacrossborders(BizCommunity)
ShockingNassellainvasionthreatensSouthAfrica’smountaingrasslands(AgricultureResearchCommission)
Properwatermanagementkeytoviabilityofsolar-poweredirrigationsystems(BizCommunity)
Researchersdevelopingdrought-tolerantAfricancrops(BizCommunity)
Hiddendanger:Whysoilpollut ionshouldbeatoppriorityglobally(BizCommunity)
Ecology
InvasivealienplantsinSouthAfricaposehugerisks,buttheycanbestopped(TheConversation)
Africanbiodiversityandecosystemservicesindecline:Expertfindingsinlandmarkthree-yearassessmentreports(CSIR)
Honeybeeshogthelimelight,yetwildinsectsarethemostimportantandvulnerablepollinators(TheConversation)
Technology
Localmedicaltechnologystart-upwinsMercksupport(ITWeb)
Whatdoesblockchainmeanforag?(BizCommunity)
Wits,SibanyecreateR27.5mDigiMinefacility–technology-focusedpartnershipthatwillhelpmakeminessaferandmoreproductive(ITWeb)
Withsmartcit ies,youreverystepwillberecorded(BizCommunity)
Fromdroneswarmstotreebatteries,newtechisrevolut ionisingecologyandconservation(TheConversation)
Sciencecommunication
MarineInvertebratesBookputsaSpotlightonSA’sExcellenceinMarineScience(DST)
FishesoftheOkavangoDelta&ChobeRiver,BotswanabyProfMikeBruton,GlennMerronandPaulSkelton
Opportunities
CallForNominations:2018SouthAfricanWomenInScienceAwards(NRF)
Reminder:CallforNominations:SAMRCscientificMerit Awards2018(SAMRC)
EnergyAwards(SANEA)
3RDBRICSYoungScientist ForumAnnouncementandCallforAbstracts(ASSAf)
SEEDworkshopapplicat ionsopenforentrepreneursinsustainabilitysector(BizCommunity)
#Scicommonline2018–StellenboschUniversity’sonlineshortcourseinsciencecommunication(StellenboschUniversity)
CallforNominationsforthe2018TWASYoungAffiliates:Closingon31May2018(TWASROSSA)
Localscientist makesit ontoFortune'sWorld'sGreatestLeaderslist(BizCommunity)
Healthact ivist awardedUCTPresidentofConvocationMedal(TimesLive)
SAStudentsAcceptedtoIIASA’sYSSPProgramme(NRF)
Pleaseforwardthise-mailtoyourcolleagues,businesscontactsandallinterestedpersons!
SendusyournewsTheNSTFinvitesallourmembers,aswellasallSETandinnovationroleplayers,tosendusinformationonmeetings,conferencesandactivitiesofinteresttothebroaderS&Tcommunity.Pleasesendusyournewsbythe20thofthemonth,fordistributionatthebeginningofthefollowingmonth,[email protected]
FeedbackIfyouhaveanycommentsorsuggestionsonhowwecanimprovethisnewsletter,[email protected]
AbouttheNSTFTheNationalScienceandTechnologyForum(NSTF),establishedin1995,isabroadly-representativestakeholderbodyforallSETandinnovationorganisationsinSouthAfrica,whichseekstoinfluencepolicyformulationanddelivery.TheNSTF-South32AwardsareuniqueinSA,recognisingtheoutstandingcontributionsofindividualsandgroupstoSETandinnovation.Thesciencebursariespageprovidesinformationonbursariesandbursaryprovidersforscience,engineeringandrelatedstudies.
DisclaimerTheNSTFhastakenallpracticalmeasurestoensurethatthematerialcontainedinthisnewsletteriscorrect.TheNSTFreservestherighttomakechangesasitdeemsnecessary.PrivacyRegistrationdetailssubmittedtotheNSTFwillbetreatedconfidentiallyandwillonlybeusedbyNSTFtocommunicatewithitsmembersandsubscribers.
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