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46% of getS.E.T.go! readers think that the most important benefit of South Africa’s recent participation in the Shanghai Expo, will be the raising of our country’s science & technology profile on the global stage. |
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38% opted for “sharing of international best practices in maths & science education”; and 15% for “building an international network of contacts”. |
Almost 21 000 learners from around South Africa and SADC countries participated in the Science Olympiad this year.
The first Western Cape Young Researchers Symposium (NYRS) saw postgraduate nanotechnology students presenting an impressive array of work to peers.
Held at the University of the Western Cape in September 2010, the symposium comprised of motivational talks and nine presentations by students from the universities of Stellenbosch, Cape Town and the Western Cape.
It was organised by the South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) student chapter committee and supported by the Nanotechnology for Public Engagement Programme (NPEP), which is managed by SAASTA’s Science Communication Unit.
Mthuthuzeli Zamxaka, project coordinator of NPEP, informed the audience of the objectives of the Programme and his plans to extend the public awareness campaign on nanotechnology and nanosciences to involve both students and staff at universities. The event also included a motivational speech by Professor Malik Maaza, SANi founder, who challenged students to take a larger view of their life-planning, as well as an address by Nontombi Marule of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), who confirmed that the department is considering making funding available for young researchers who are not rated by NRF but who wish to pursue their own research without being directed by senior scientist.
Professor Lesley Petrik from the University of the Western Cape chaired the morning session and was one of several “judges” who evaluated the students’ talks. Awards were given to the top presentations for both MSc and PhD categories, as follows:
1st prize MSc: S van den Heever (Stellenbosch University)
2nd prize MSc: NM Musyoka (University of the Western Cape)
1st prize PhD: N Fischer (University of Cape Town)
2nd prize PhD: E Zengeni (Stellenbosch University)
Information extracted from a report by Nikiwe Kunjuzwa, SANi student chapter chairperson.