ASSAF REPORT

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ASSAF REPORT

ASSAf’s INSTITUTIONAL AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ROADSHOWS:

“CONNECTING SCIENCE TO SOCIETY”

ASSAf and SAYAS Visit to the University of Limpopo on 15 – 17 March 2023

Principal Author

Dr Tebogo Mabotha

Programme Officer – National Partnerships

Science Advisory and Strategic Partnerships (SA/SP) Programme (ASSAf)

Co-authors

Mr Magick Maphanga: Programme Officer, Quest Magazine (ASSAf) Ms Susan Veldsman: Director: Scholarly Publishing Unit (ASSAf)

Reviewed by:

Dr Melusi Thwala

Manager: Science Advisory and Strategic Partnerships (SA/SP) Programme (ASSAf)

Approved by:

Prof Himla Soodyall – Executive Officer (ASSAf)

31 March 2023

Partners:

The roadshow was conducted in partnership with the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and the University of Limpopo (UL), Turfloop Campus.

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mandated to promote and inspire outstanding achievements in all fields of scientific enquiry and to grant recognition of excellence. ASSAf is a Membership based entity currently comprising 658 Members who represent the collective voice of the most active scholars in all fields of scholarly enquiry. The majority of the Members are based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), University of Pretoria (UP) and Stellenbosch University (SU) and are mainly in health/medical sciences disciplines. Furthermore, 30% and 34% of the Members are female and black, respectively.

ASSAf also hosts the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS), which represents early career and emerging scientists and researchers. SAYAS has 128 members; 49% and 56% of Membership is female and black respectively. There is currently no information for both ASSAf and SAYAS regarding Members living with disabilities. ASSAf and SAYAS Membership are utilised as a collective resource to provide evidence-based solutions to national problems.

2. CONTEXT

ASSAf in partnership with SAYAS initiated the 2023 roadshows to engage institutions of higher learning and other science, technology and innovation (STI) institutions nationwide.

The aims of the roadshows are: to increase the visibility of ASSAf and SAYAS; and their standing as well as activities in promoting the value of science in society. The objectives of the roadshows are:

i) to facilitate the transformation of Membership profile in terms of geographical, discipline, gender, race and disability representation

ii) to promote ASSAf and SAYAS programmes and activities

iii) to increase partnerships with various stakeholders, including historically disadvantaged universities (HDUs) who are underrepresented in terms of Membership

iv) to promote public interest in and awareness of science and science education, thus delivering on ASSAf’s motto of “Applying scientific thinking in the service of society”

3. FORMAT OF THE ROADSHOWS

3.1. Information sharing session

The information session consists mainly of presentations by ASSAf and SAYAS, highlighting the following: (a) the manmade, objectives and activities of ASSAf and SAYAS, (b) membership nomination and selection processes, (c) the benefits of ASSAf and SAYAS Memberships, (d) various opportunities for senior and emerging scientists and researchers, and (e) information on the ASSAf hosted organisations such as the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

3.2. Consultative Workshops

The consulting workshops are tailored for emerging scientists and researchers and cover topics such as Research Output Policy, Predatory journals, Data sharing etc.

3.3. Science engagement activities

Science engagement activities are conducted to promote public interest in and awareness of science and science education. They offer a wider public with unique, informal and interactive learning opportunities about science while connecting them to science. These engagements take place through and with STI institutions, science centres, schools etc.

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4. UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO ROADSHOW

The ASSAf roadshow to the University of Limpopo (UL) was held on 15 - 17 March 2023 in partnership with SAYAS (1). Day 1 began with a breakfast and information session (2) that was facilitated by Dr Tebogo Mabotha (ASSAf). Prof Jesika Singh, UL Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships gave opening remarks, welcoming the visitors and the attendees, and acknowledged senior UL staff members present. Prof Himla Soodyall, ASSAf’s Executive Officer and SAYAS Exco members, Prof Dustin van der Haar (UJ) and Prof Thashree Marimuthu (Wits) followed thereafter with ASSAf and SAYAS overview presentations. The presentations covered: the mandate, objectives and activities of ASSAf and SAYAS, membership nomination and selection processes, and the benefits of ASSAf and SAYAS Memberships.

Prof Phuti Ngoepe, an ASSAf member from UL shared insights into his journey and the opportunities his ASSAf Membership has provided him since becoming a member in 1996.

Prof Ngoepe additionally highlighted country achievements, of which some were conceptualised or facilitated by Academy platforms, for instance, the High Performance Centre for Computing. Dr Melusi Thwala gave a brief overview of ASSAf opportunities for emerging researcher, accessed through SAYAS and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). Mr Bheki Radebe (DSI) further shed light on opportunities for young scientists and details on the Lindau Nobel Laureate meetings that take place in Lindau, Germany. Dr Sphumelele Ndlovu (CSIR), a Lindau alumni, gave a testament of how his participation at the Lindau meeting gave him a great platform to grow in his career as an emerging scientist. The participants were very interactive during the session and showed great interest in what was shared.

2. L- R (Top): Prof Singh (UL), Prof Ngoepe (UL)

L- R (Bottom): Mr Radebe (DSI), and Dr Ndlovu (CSIR)

1. L- R: ASSAf and SAYAS Delegates: Mr Maphanga, Prof Kumar (Wits), Ms Veldsman, Dr Thwala, Prof Soodyall, Dr Dukhi (HSRC), Prof Marimuthu (Wits), Prof van der Haar (UJ), Dr Mabotha, Dr Basitere (UCT) and, Mr Mbhiza. Ms Wagener and Mr Venier (ASSAf, not in the picture)

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Sciences on Day 2 (16 March) and interactive science activities with high school learners at the Science Centre on Day 3 (17 March), respectively. The intention of the meeting on Day 2 was to discuss and identify collaboration areas in order to foster partnerships that will be of benefit to both organisations with respect to science engagement activities and ASSAf membership. The meeting was attended by ASSAf delegates: Prof Himla Soodyall, Ms Susan Veldsman, and Mr Magick Maphanga; and UL representatives, Prof Hasani Chauke, Prof Richard Mampa, Dr Bronwyn Egan, Ms Annelize Potgieter and Mr Sandile Rikhotso (3). Prof Hasani Chauke emphasised that the university is always on the lookout for opportunities to collaborate with prestigious entities like ASSAf that have a footprint in the STI space.

The science engagement session hosted at the UL Science Centre on Day 3 were aimed at promoting and bringing awareness and appreciation of science, technology and innovation (STI) to participants. Three (3) teachers and sixty four (64) Grade 11 and 12 learners from Klass Mothapo Secondary School from Mankweng District in Limpopo attended the session. Prof Soodyall shared with the learners her career journey and educating them about human genetics (4). She left the learners with these thoughts, “If you want it, go for it. It doesn’t matter where you are or come from”. Mpho Molopo, a grade 12 learner, thanked ASSAf for inviting them to UL Science Centre and thanked Prof Soodyall for the fun filled lecture on human genetics. Mr Parsy Mahlaule, the Biology teacher from the school thanked Prof Soodyall for introducing the subject of human genetics in such a simplified manner. Ms. Annelize Potgieter, UL Science Centre Manager, thanked the school for availing learners and wished them well with their studies. She further thanked ASSAf for requesting the science centre to host a scientist and researcher of Prof Soodyall’s calibre, which was a first for their centre. ASSAf and the UL Science Centre will be working together on science engagement projects and activities going forward.

3. L- R: Prof Mampa (UL), Ms Veldsman (ASSAf), Prof Soodyall (ASSAf), Dr Egan (UL), Ms Potgieter (UL), Prof Chauke (UL) and Mr Maphanga (ASSAf)(not in the picture)

4. Prof Soodyall presenting to learners at the UL science centre

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5. CONCLUSIONS

The delivery of the ASSAf roadshow to UL was a success. The activities executed achieved the objectives of increasing awareness about ASSAf and SAYAS as respective information was shared concerning membership processes, programmes and projects. The roadshow is not the end of the engagement with UL but an activity that seeks to strengthen partnership with ASSAf and SAYAS for greater impact on the outcomes of the two academies. ASSAf will particularly seek opportunities to partner with the UL Science Centre for science engagement opportunities with local high schools and the community.

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ASSAf is grateful for the support received for the UL Roadshow by the University of Limpopo staff and students, ASSAf staff, SAYAS members, teachers and learners from Klass Mothapo Secondary School in Mankweng District, Limpopo.

Special acknowledgement goes to the following teams, who assisted with the planning, execution and participation in the roadshow at the University of Limpopo:

University of Limpopo

Name Designation Program/Faculty/Institution

Prof Jesika Sing Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof Phuti Ngoepe Director School of Physical and Mineral Sciences Prof Hasani Chauke Director School of Physical and Mineral Sciences Prof Richard Mampa Head of Department Geology

Dr Bronwyn Egan Curator Larry Leach Herbarium

Ms Annelize Potgieter Manager Science Centre

Mr Sandile Rikhotso Coordinator Science Engagement Programme

Ms Kgabo Tefu Principal Admin Officer Office of the DVC: Research, Inno. & Partnerships Mr Malatji Monyelegwete Assistant Communication

Officer

Marketing and Communication ASSAf

Prof Himla Soodyall Executive Officer ASSAf

Dr Melusi Thwala Manager Science Advisory and Strategic Partnerships (SA/SP) Programme

Ms Susan Veldsman Director Scholarly Publishing Unit (SPU) Dr Tebogo Mabotha Programme Officer -

National Partnerships SA/SP Programme Mr Kholani Mbhiza Programme Officer;

Secretariat

SA/SP Programme;

SAYAS & TWAS-SAREP Ms Renate Venier Governance Coordinator Governance

Ms Henriette Wegener Communication Officer Communication Mr Magick Maphanga Programme Officer Quest Magazine, SPU Mr Ian Shendelana Administration Officer;

Database Administrator

SA/SP Programme;

African Scientist Directory (ASD) Ms Marvin Mandiwana Liaison Officer SA/SP Programme

SAYAS

Prof Dustin van der Haar Associate Professor University of Johannesburg, SAYAS EXCO Prof Thashree Marimuthu Associate Professor University of the Witwatersrand, SAYAS EXCO Dr Natisha Dukhi Senior Research Specialist Human Sciences Research Council

Dr Moses Basitere Senior Lecturer University of Cape Town Prof Pradeep Kumar Personal Professor University of the Witwatersrand

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2023

ASSAf’s Institutional and Public

Engagement Roadshows (Connecting Science to Society): ASSAf and

SAYAS Visit to the University of Limpopo

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

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