B. ASSAf Workshop Proceedings and Other Reports
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Proceedings Reports are a verbatim reflection of a live ASSAf event. It is published with consent of all speakers.
Peer-Review Status: Non-Peer Reviewed
Enquiries: Henriëtte Wagner
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Item Research, Development, and Innovation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa - Proceedings Report(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2024) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); Department of Science and Innovation (DSI); South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI)This report captures the proceedings at the launch of the study report on, Research, Development, and Innovation on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Technologies in South Africa. The study supports the high-level agreement between South Africa (through the DMRE) and the IAEA by providing a solid foundation upon which a national strategic framework on peaceful uses of nuclear technologies in South Africa can be built. The objectives of the study were to review relevant current and historical national policies, plans and strategies; review the national landscape of existing and emerging RDI role players and activities in the country; develop baseline information around the nuclear technology landscape to assist with targets and indicators for monitoring and evaluation; review the Country Programme Framework (CPF) between South Africa and the IAEA and make recommendations on how the IAEA Technical Cooperation Programme could be leveraged to strengthen the nuclear technology sector in South Africa; and make proposals on how to define a South African nuclear technology RDI flagship programme. Characterisation of the needs and gaps contains the following elements: • a brief explanation of the need setting out the context in terms of the severity and relevance. • a strategic objective to be achieved; and • an indicator, or indicators, for the proposed objective. The study was divided into six broad areas, namely: • agriculture and food security, • human health, • radiation protection, • water and environment, • energy and industry, • nuclear safety, security and safeguards.Item Researcher capacity building: supporting the career development of emerging research leaders in Africa(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); UK Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), 2023) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)In November 2022, the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) held a half-day workshop on researcher capacity building, providing opportunities for participants to discuss ways to support the development of early-career researchers. The workshop heard examples of mentoring schemes, leadership development and other career support programmes organised in the UK and Africa. In group sessions, participants reflected on these examples and the lessons they held for capacity development in the UK and countries across Africa. The role that international networks could play in capacity development was also discussed. The discussions highlighted the multiple approaches available to support the personal and professional development of researchers, including different types of mentoring (developmental mentoring, peer mentoring), technical training, leadership development, and coaching. Individuals will have different needs, based on their background, career stage and personal preferences, emphasising the importance of adopting a researcher-centred approach to development programmes, with bespoke features according to requirements.Item 3rd Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies: One Health – Health and Development(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018-03) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This report is the summary of the meeting proceedings of the Third Worldwide Meeting of National Young Academies which took place from 20 to 21 July 2017 at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre, Boksburg, South Africa. This meeting was hosted by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and co-organised by the Global Young Academy (GYA).Item The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the SADC Region(Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2018) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This proceedings report is the product of a two-day workshop (19 –20 March 2018) on The State of Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which was held at Emperor’s Palace, Johannesburg. The key objectives for this two-day workshop were to: • Discuss issues of laboratory biosafety and biosecurity importance for the region. • Strengthen existing collaborations/networks and establish new ones. • Exchange information and knowledge. The four key challenges that were found to be common across all SADC countries that participated were: • Lack of or inadequate (and fragmented) legislation, regulations and guidelines relevant to laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. • Limited or lack of capacity – including infrastructure, resources and human capacity. • Lack of or limited training programmes on laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. • Low level of awareness about laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, especially among researchers/scientists.Item The shale gas industry in South Africa: Toward a science action plan. 31 August – 1 September 2017, Proceedings Report(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2017) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The objective of the conference was to showcase critical national reports on shale gas in South Africa; analyse the regulatory environment; and consolidate common findings and recommendations and provide a platform for debate. The conference was attended by 126 key stakeholders from government, industry and academia. African and international delegates also attend the conference. Among the 126 delegates there were 12 speakers and 9 panellists. The programme was divided into 7 sessions with the last session comprising 2 roundtable discussions. The opening address was delivered by Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology. Further notable representations were made by Mr Jacob Moatshe, Acting Deputy Director-General of Mineral Policy and Promotion at the Department of Mineral Resources (representing the Chair of the governmental Hydraulic Fracturing Monitoring Committee, Advocate Thabo Mokoena (DG of the DMR)), and Ms Busisiwe Khumalo, General Manager at the Eastern Cape office of the Premier.Item Preparing for the Future of HIV/AIDS in Africa: A Shared Responsibiltiy(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2012) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The sub-Saharan Africa region still remains the region most heavily affected by HIV/AIDS. In 2010, about 68% of all people living with HIV resided in sub-Saharan Africa and the region also accounted for 70% of new HIV infections. However, there has been a notable decline in the regional rate of new infections. The epidemic continues to be most severe in southern Africa, with South Africa having more people living with HIV (an estimated 5.6 million) than any other country in the world (UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report, 2011).Item Proceedings of a Symposium on Our Nuclear Future: Delay or Demise?(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The purpose of the symposium was to bring together a diverse range of stakeholders and invite engagement in a rigorous, evidence-based, scholarly debate on the issue of nuclear energy. Participants and presenters were drawn from various backgrounds: academia, government, private and public sectors, and civil society. South Africa is not alone in the world in grappling with issues related to nuclear energy. International perspectives on costs of nuclear energy were also presented.Item Workshop Proceedings Report GMOs for African Agriculture: Challenges and opportunities(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2010) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)This proceedings report is the product of a two-day workshop hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) from 17-18 September 2009. ASSAf, in partnership with the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities, the Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) and the Uganda National Academy of Sciences (UNAS) received funding from the InterAcademy Panel (IAP) to conduct a study on “Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Opportunities and Challenges in Africa”.Item Proceedings report Changing patterns of Non-Communicable Diseases(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2013) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The theme of this conference was a superb example of the various activities in which the academies had been involved. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constituted one of the most critical set of health challenges that faced the global community. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs constituted some 60% of all mortality at the present time, and more worrying was the upward trend. It was clear that there was urgent work to be done in this area. The timing and appropriateness of the conference theme were of unquestionable pertinence. NCDs provided a set of challenges that could not be successfully addressed through the isolated actions of various institutions and academies, but required collective wisdom, in this case of the group of medical academies.Item Proceedings Report: Technological Innovations for a Low Carbon Society Conference(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2013) Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)The challenge of finding sustainable, low carbon solutions to a global problem, such as climate change, is pertinent for both Germany and South Africa, notwithstanding their different developmental stages and different socio-economic and political contexts. Themes addressed included the energy-water-food nexus for resilient societies; low cost, low carbon innovations for poverty alleviation; smart city innovations; new and emerging technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and The Beauti-fuel Project aimed at converting biomass to liquid fuel, and the potential for solar power in South Africa. It was noted that South Africa can be viewed as a ‘playground’ for finding innovative low carbon solutions due to the untapped wind and solar energy resources and the excellent research capability.
