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News in brief - 2003
| Call for Nominations: NSTF Science and Technology Awards |
| October 2003 |
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The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is launching the 6th Call for Nominations for the highly-acclaimed NSTF Science and Technology Awards for 2003 - an event in which the NSTF assertively prides itself! The closing date for submissions of nomination/s is Friday, 5 December 2003.
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| Submit your project to the Stockholm Challenge |
| September 2003 |
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The Stockholm Challenge offers a unique opportunity to join a global network of IT experts, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts, working in the field of user-oriented and driven development of IT applications. Projects compete in six categories, in areas where information technology has great influence on people's lives; e-Government, Culture, Health, Education, e-Business and Environment. A number of exciting submissions have already been received from South Africa. The online entry form is open for submission until 1 November 2003.
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| Prof. Shrum on Science |
| July 2003 |
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NACI was privileged to host Professor Wesley Shrum from Louisiana State University on 18 July 2003. He spoke about Science and Summits with the gist of his presentation being on Science and Globalisation - the interconnection between Science and Technology Studies, Information and Communication Technology, and Development/Reagency. [View presentation]
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| Latest NACI News available |
| July 2003 |
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The latest issue of NACI News is now available for download online. The newsletter features the NACI Innovation Awards, hope for heart patients, how indigenous knowledge should benefit its owners, South Africa's bid for a giant radio telescope and more.
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| SARG web site launched |
| July 2003 |
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The South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology (SARG) have launched their web site at www.sarg.org.za. This Group is a permanent sub-committee of NACI. Join the SARG email network and keep updated on issues related to women in science by visiting the site and subscribing.
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| SANAP calls for research project proposals |
| June 2003 |
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Cabinet has recently approved the transfer of the research function of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) to the Department of Science and Technology (DST), accompanied by an increase in research funding from DST.
DEAT and DST (now jointly responsible for the administration of SANAP) hereby call for the submission of scientific research proposals to be undertaken at South Africa's research bases in Antarctica and at the Prince Edward Islands.
[SANAP Projects] [Interim research cycle] [Application for funding]
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| CIPRE Mid-career Seminar |
| June 2003 |
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The CIPRE training program cultivates the young and mid-career policy-makers in science, technology and innovation and the candidates for such positions. After the very successful 1st and 2nd Mid-career Training Seminars, the next one will focus on "The role of different actors in policy and decision-making process" in Bucharest, Romania between 18-25 September 2003.
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| NSTF Science and Technology Awards winners announced |
| June 2003 |
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The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) honoured the winners of the fifth annual Science and Technology Awards on Friday, 30 May. These awards acknowledge the most outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations in the field of Science, Engineering and Technology (SET).
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| Non State Actors User's Guide |
| June 2003 |
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The Cotonou Agreement is a partnership agreement between African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP) States and the member states of the European Union (EU). It covers the areas of trade, development cooperation and political dialogue. A key innovation of the Agreement is the principle of participation of Non State Actors in ACP-EU cooperation. The European Centre for Development Policy Management, has been mandated to prepare a User's Guide for Non State Actors for engaging in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement. To make this User's Guide a truly useful tool, organisations and individuals are invited to share experiences and have their say from mid-May till July 2003.
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| Unlocking Innovation in Government |
| June 2003 |
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Unearthing innovation aimed at assisting government to improve how it delivers basic services to citizens is at the core of the Centre for Public Service Innovation's (CPSI) work. This year, they CPSI have introduced the Innovation Awards programme. Through the programme they hope to pay tribute to public servants, or people working with government, who have made a real contribution to improving service delivery. The inaugural CPSI Innovation awards will be conferred on Friday, 16 May 2003 at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg.
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| It Pays to be an EU Evaluater |
| May 2003 |
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Experts selected are invited to travel to Brussels at the European Commission's expense to assist with the evaluation of FP6 project proposals. Participation in the evaluation exercise offers an invaluable insight into the operation of the Framework Programmes, which could later be put to good use for actual FP6 proposal writing. You may register yourself with the European Commission's Experts Database from which Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) project evaluators are appointed.
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| South Africa to bid for giant radio telescope |
| May 2003 |
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In May 2003, South Africa will launch its bid to host the $1-billion Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio-telescope project. A steering committee has been established to direct and develop South Africa’s bid to host the full-scale SKA when it becomes operational in 2015. The SKA is arguably the most important and most exciting project proposed for radio astronomy in the past 50 years.
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| Launch of South African Innovations for Development Competition |
| April 2003 |
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Innovations for Development in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDESA) has been launched by the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency (Sida). IDESA aims to encourage an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit in selected African countries. The objective is to identify and reward individuals exhibiting creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Applications should be submitted before 31st August 2003.
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| Exploring skills shortages in the petrochemical construction industry |
| April 2003 |
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An Exploratory workshop on skills shortages in the petrochemical construction industry was held on 16 April 2003. The purpose of the meeting was to create an awareness of the potential impact of project demands on the construction industry over the next 5 years, and to enable NACI to initiate action in addressing the major issues facing the construction industry.
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| Invitation for Expressions of Interest for Planning the Science and Society Actions in FP6 |
| April 2003 |
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The European Commission is inviting individuals and organisations willing to take part in the "Science and Society" actions of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), to propose key topics for funding in 2004 and beyond. This call for "expressions of interest" (EoI), published on CORDIS today is open until 2 June 2003. Science and society is a new theme in Community research and in line with its objectives and the commitment to implement FP6 in a flexible manner, the Commission is launching a dialogue with Europe's research community to revise its work programme.
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| Design Institute Awards |
| March 2003 |
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The Design Institute of the South African Bureau of Standards runs an annual award scheme to give recognition to the achievements of South African industrial and engineering designers, to encourage improved local product design and manufacture, and to promote international competitiveness of South African products. The closing date for entries is 5 May 2003.
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| Sasol SciFest 2003 |
| March 2003 |
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Don't miss out on attending Sasol SciFest in Grahamstown from 26 March to 1 April. The festival offers a spectrum of 645 events and activities including popular lectures, game drives, a laser show, Science Olympics, an air show, Primary and Senior School Quizzes, interactive exhibitions, workshops, the PlayFair, field trips, a church service, Sunset Shows, 'Talkshops', a street parade and even a FilmFest.
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| Youth invited to participate in ICT internship programme |
| March 2003 |
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Piloted last year, the Youth Internship Programme (YiP) is set for launch. The programme is geared towards improving the country's information and communications technology skills capacity. Due to its success in the pilot phase, YiP is to be implemented from April 2003 as a one-year programme to Gauteng, Cape Town, Durban, Mpumalanga, Port Elizabeth, East London and the North West.
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| Reference group for women in science launched |
| March 2003 |
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The South African Reference Group on Women in Science and Technology (SARG) was launched on Friday, 7 March 2003 in Cape Town. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is committed to encouraging women to embark on science-related careers. The Deputy Minister Sonjica is confident that the launch of the SARG will leverage scientific and technological career opportunities for the empowerment of women, which together with gender mainstreaming of research will contribute to the eradication of poverty and the creation of a better life for our people.
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| New Deputy Minister appointed |
| February 2003 |
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The Presidency has announced the appointment of Ms Buyelwa Sonjica as Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Ms Sonjica has served in a number of portfolio committees in parliament including arts and culture, finance and trade and industry.
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| Postgraduate Innovation Award winners announced |
| February 2003 |
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The recently launched NACI Post Graduate Innovation Award invited postgraduate students from all disciplines to enter. NACI are pleased to announce the winners are Dr Dunay Schmulian and Mr De Wet Swanepoel of the University of Pretoria for their research on a new technique to estimate hearing thresholds. This new technique will empower "lay" people with knowledge and basic skills to implement hearing screening in hospitals, immunisation centres and baby clinics.
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| Director-General appointed for the Department of Arts and Culture |
| February 2003 |
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Cabinet has approved the appointment of Prof. Itumeleng Mosala as the Director-General of the new Department of Arts and Culture. Since 1998, Prof Mosala (52) has been Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Technikon North West. For more information, contact Andile Xaba 082 370 5336 or Mack Lewele 082 450 5076.
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NACI in the news
| Students acknowledged for innovative projects |
| Engineering News, 7 November 2003 |
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The 2003 Catalyst Innovation competition has been won by Manju Joshua, from the Wits School of Process and Materials Engineering, for her design of a fluidised-bed reactor.
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| SA study highlights the benefits of R&D |
| Engineering News, 3 October 2003 |
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A recently-conducted study by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (Naci) confirmed that innovation is a key driver of international competitiveness in business, and that innovation is driven by research and development (R&D).
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| The number of trained artisans entering industry is dwindling at an alarming rate |
| Financial Mail, 20 June 2003 |
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Preliminary findings of an investigation by the National Advisory Council for Innovation (Naci) suggest that SA will face a skills shortfall of between 15 000 and 40 000 skilled artisans, project managers and specialised engineers in key industries over the next five years. The study is based on planned projects in the petrochemical, mining, steel and energy industries.
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| South Africa to be technology innovator by 2014 |
| Engineering News, 17 January 2003 |
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The aerospace industry has been identified for inclusion in the National Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Technology Strategy (NAMLTS), a government initiative designed to provide a stimulus for South Africa’s manufacturing sector to become globally competitive.
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