National Science Week 2010 August 16, 2010
Posted by Philistas in : Events, Liaison, National Relations , trackbackThe Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) in collaboration with the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), held lectures during the National Science Week from 2 to 7 August 2010 in all nine provinces.
The lectures were aimed at encouraging students to further their studies up to post-graduate level, highlight the contribution of published research undertaken at institutions to evidence-based policy making, and emphasise the role of science in economic development as well as the “International Year of Biodiversity” theme.
National Science Week is an initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The initiative is managed by SAASTA, a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF). It is aimed at highlighting the significant role that science plays in our lives and to encourage young people to enroll for careers in science, engineering and technology.
In addition to lectures, the Quest magazine was showcased at these events with the aim of promoting it to both learners and teachers. Quest: Science for South Africa is a quarterly, popular science magazine directed at a target audience comprising learners, educators and the general public. It aims to present the country’s foremost scientific work in an accessible form. It is widely distributed to public high schools with science departments and at national science events.
Universities of Technology were targeted for 2010 and the following areas were visited:
Gauteng: Tshwane University of Techonology, Pretoria, Arcadia, Soshanguve and Garankuwa, campuses as well as the Vaal University of Technology
Mpumalanga: Tshwane University of Techonology, Emalahleni and Nelspruit campuses
KwaZulu Natal: Durban University of Technology
Eastern Cape: Walter Sisulu University
Limpopo: Tshwane University of Techonology, Polokwane Campus
North West: North West University, Potchefstroom Campus
Northern Cape: National Institute of Higher Education
Free State: Central University of Technology
Western Cape: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
The Speakers were:
Drs Thandi Mgwebi, Stanely Liphadzi, Nomusa Dlodlo, Nthabiseng Taole, Linda Fick, Regina Maphanga, Velaphi Msimang, Sibusiso Sifunda; Thulani Dlamini; Bridgette Farham; Carol Nokwelo and Bheki Radebe
Prof’s Fred Otieno, Daniel Makinde, Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, Sibusiso Moyo; Richard Fuggle; Tshilidzi Marwala; Esta van Heerden, Mr Sershen Naidoo, Mr Maximus Sefotho and Mr Xolani Duba.
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if any reader of the above gets a sense the event at Tshwane University of Technology took place, this needs correction. I was one of the invited speakers, and can confirm that while hundreds of sandwiches lay on the tables, not a single student or faculty member showed up. One of the invited speakers is a Deputy Vice Chancellor who was flown in from KZN to go sit in an empty hall. Someone needs to be held accountable for this grand flop. However, since we’re talking about taxpayers’ money, who really cares?
Whilst we acknowledge that attendance problems were experienced at the TUT Arcadia Campus where two lectures had to be cancelled, the TUT management managed to recruit students from classes to attend the event. As a result only one lecture was offered by Prof Fred Otieno. We however regret that two of our valuable speakers from DST and CSIR did not have the opportunity to share their work with students. We have the assurance from the DST and SAASTA that the 2011 National Science Week call will be issued in October 2010 to allow for grantholders to have more time for logistical arrangements for the 2011 NSW event. Whilst it is regrettable not having reached the targeted audiences in all cases, valuable lessons were learnt in coordinating events of this magnitude.- ASSAf Management