Policy, Law, Economics and Politics - Deepening Democracy through Access to Information
This privately-owned website is operated and maintained by Creamer Media
We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
         
close notification
10 February 2012
   
 
 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the National Research Foundation's (NRF) acceptance of the finding of its disciplinary hearing, which clears Professor Phil Charles of all the charges it made against him, and his subsequent re-instatement as director of the South African Astronomical Observatory.

We trust that the parties concerned will put this bruising episode behind them and positively combine their efforts in the best interest of South African and African astronomy in particular and science in general.

The NRF's media statement indicates some reluctance in accepting the finding of the disciplinary hearing's chairperson, and states that it will continue to ‘deal' with the issues that led to what it believes were Prof Charles' transgressions.

The DA will continue to press for details of the perceived transgressions that prompted the hearing and the full charges that were brought against Prof Charles. Clarity on this issue is vital for the rumours that circulated around this hearing to be finally put to rest.

If, as many eminent scientists believe, the core issue of the disciplinary hearing was about academic freedom versus the bureaucratisation of the practise of science in South Africa, it is vital that the ‘management and government' issues that currently seize the NRF are fully understood and discussed.

If South Africa wants to attract top international scientists to work in the country - and retain the skills of those it has educated and nurtured - it is critical that they work within establishments that aspire to international best practise in the way in which they are employed and managed.

 

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
 
 
 
 
  Photos
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Map
 
 
Maps.
 
 
 
 
Advertisements:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Topics on this page
 
 
 
Country
 
Facility
 
Industry Term
 
Person
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Online Publishers Association