Date: 05/07/2005
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: 50th Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics
Opening address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, at the 50th Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics, University of Pretoria
President of the South African Institute of Physics
Members of the South African Institute of Physics
Conference Participants
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Department of Science and Technology will be actively supporting various national initiatives to highlight the importance of physics throughout 2005. This is in keeping with the initiative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, and the resolutions of UNESCO and the General Assembly of the United Nations to declare 2005 the International Year of Physics in celebration of the 100 years of Einstein’s publication in 1905 of three incisive papers that contributed immensely to developments in physics and science as a whole.
The impact and relevance of this conference will become more meaningful when the academics and researchers involved begin to actively promote the appeal and appreciation of Physics to the broader South African public. It is heartening to note that the science community in the higher education sector recognises the Ministry of Science and Technology not only as the custodian of public policy on Science and Technology, but also as a partner in the development of Physics in South Africa.
We are informed that the main objective of this conference is to share experiences and expertise among researchers, and to showcase ideas, theories and innovations that can contribute to the technological advancement of South Africa and the rest of the world. The aim is to stimulate interest, encourage young potential physicists, provide networking opportunities for the participants, and enable experts from across the globe to identify joint activities and initiatives. We applaud and congratulate you on this ambitious and worthwhile initiative.
The low number of high school learners taking and passing Mathematics and Science is a concern to the Ministry. We all need to respond creatively to the challenge of increasing the number of young people who are able to successfully complete their university training in science and engineering. Science faculties have the direct responsibility to turn around the current high dropout rates, especially among the first year students. It is equally important to encourage successful undergraduate candidates to continue their science and engineering studies to Masters and PhD levels. Increasing matriculation pass rates in science and mathematics is not enough. We also need to provide adequate information to learners regarding careers in science and engineering. Providing support and encouragement to students when they arrive at higher education institutions is also essential. We urge the young physicists among the attendees this morning to become mentors and role models to junior students, and give them the confidence to pursue Physics in order to become future knowledge producers in this field of study.
My department has developed a national network of science centres as an infrastructure for delivering out-of-school programmes, to bring science closer to communities, and especially support curriculum development in mathematics and science at disadvantaged schools. We are pleased to note that these initiatives are starting to bear fruit and that increasingly, more members of the targeted groups are pursuing careers in science and mathematics.
We have also noted with interest the initiative of the South African Institute of Physics to arrange special activities at your annual conference for learners from neighbouring schools. Fewer girls and women still choose to study physics and mathematics. In order to buttress attempts to strengthen the number of women and girls in physics, we will be launching the South African Women in Physics Programme in August this year.
There exists a direct correlation between a nation’s wealth and its scientific and technological capacity. We are strengthening the scientific and technological capability of our country in order to compete favourably in the global arena by generating new knowledge, and developing competitive technologies. The current national level of R&D investment is 0,81% of GDP. This is about a third of the OECD average. One percent of GDP is the threshold investment necessary for science and technology to have an impact on economic growth and development. Therefore my department has set a target of 1% R&D investment by both public and private sectors to be reached by 2008.
We have no doubt that many opportunities will be created at the conference for collaborative efforts between our researchers and their international counterparts. It is in our interest to find technological innovations to address many of our pressing problems such as housing and energy shortages.
The South African Large Telescope (SALT) is one of the flagship projects of national scientific enterprise. Construction has been completed, and the launch of the telescope is planned for November this year. This will bring us a step closer to creating a hub of Astronomy research in Southern Africa.
Science and technology, generally, and in particular physics, are the most powerful tools for addressing sustainable development. We are pleased that the South African Institute of Physics is co-hosting later this year in Durban a World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development. My Department will continue to provide support in the hope that the people of South Africa will reap future benefits from the research and development initiatives emanating from such interactions.
The Innovation Fund was established to promote key issues of competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and the harnessing of information technology. One of the objectives of the Department of Science and Technology is to bolster technological change in the South African economy and society, mainly by means of innovation. Within this context, the DST is tasked with identifying and developing the lead sectors that will substantially expand the base for the creation of wealth, and position our country to compete successfully within the dynamic knowledge economy.
My department has identified the hydrogen economy and related fuel cell technologies as a “Frontier Science and Technology” initiative that would allow proactive development of innovation and human resources while leveraging key natural resources. The development of this technology will provide opportunities for research towards significant social and economic benefits for the country.
The physics community initiated the “Future of physics in South Africa” project, and my department is engaging the researchers to identify areas of activity that need support in order to position physics in South Africa as a global competitor while contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
South African industry invests in technology, research and development, to improve the quality of its products and operations, so as to remain competitive globally. Physicists, along with other scientists and engineers, would have to be active participants in the global interchange of technology and expertise.
With these few words, we now wish to declare the 50th annual conference of the South African Institute officially open, and trust that your deliberations will strengthen physics in South Africa. We look forward to many years of a vibrant Institute of Physics to support the development of physics in our country.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
5 July 2005
Source: Department of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: 50th Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics
Opening address by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, at the 50th Annual Conference of the South African Institute of Physics, University of Pretoria
President of the South African Institute of Physics
Members of the South African Institute of Physics
Conference Participants
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
The Department of Science and Technology will be actively supporting various national initiatives to highlight the importance of physics throughout 2005. This is in keeping with the initiative of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, and the resolutions of UNESCO and the General Assembly of the United Nations to declare 2005 the International Year of Physics in celebration of the 100 years of Einstein’s publication in 1905 of three incisive papers that contributed immensely to developments in physics and science as a whole.
The impact and relevance of this conference will become more meaningful when the academics and researchers involved begin to actively promote the appeal and appreciation of Physics to the broader South African public. It is heartening to note that the science community in the higher education sector recognises the Ministry of Science and Technology not only as the custodian of public policy on Science and Technology, but also as a partner in the development of Physics in South Africa.
We are informed that the main objective of this conference is to share experiences and expertise among researchers, and to showcase ideas, theories and innovations that can contribute to the technological advancement of South Africa and the rest of the world. The aim is to stimulate interest, encourage young potential physicists, provide networking opportunities for the participants, and enable experts from across the globe to identify joint activities and initiatives. We applaud and congratulate you on this ambitious and worthwhile initiative.
The low number of high school learners taking and passing Mathematics and Science is a concern to the Ministry. We all need to respond creatively to the challenge of increasing the number of young people who are able to successfully complete their university training in science and engineering. Science faculties have the direct responsibility to turn around the current high dropout rates, especially among the first year students. It is equally important to encourage successful undergraduate candidates to continue their science and engineering studies to Masters and PhD levels. Increasing matriculation pass rates in science and mathematics is not enough. We also need to provide adequate information to learners regarding careers in science and engineering. Providing support and encouragement to students when they arrive at higher education institutions is also essential. We urge the young physicists among the attendees this morning to become mentors and role models to junior students, and give them the confidence to pursue Physics in order to become future knowledge producers in this field of study.
My department has developed a national network of science centres as an infrastructure for delivering out-of-school programmes, to bring science closer to communities, and especially support curriculum development in mathematics and science at disadvantaged schools. We are pleased to note that these initiatives are starting to bear fruit and that increasingly, more members of the targeted groups are pursuing careers in science and mathematics.
We have also noted with interest the initiative of the South African Institute of Physics to arrange special activities at your annual conference for learners from neighbouring schools. Fewer girls and women still choose to study physics and mathematics. In order to buttress attempts to strengthen the number of women and girls in physics, we will be launching the South African Women in Physics Programme in August this year.
There exists a direct correlation between a nation’s wealth and its scientific and technological capacity. We are strengthening the scientific and technological capability of our country in order to compete favourably in the global arena by generating new knowledge, and developing competitive technologies. The current national level of R&D investment is 0,81% of GDP. This is about a third of the OECD average. One percent of GDP is the threshold investment necessary for science and technology to have an impact on economic growth and development. Therefore my department has set a target of 1% R&D investment by both public and private sectors to be reached by 2008.
We have no doubt that many opportunities will be created at the conference for collaborative efforts between our researchers and their international counterparts. It is in our interest to find technological innovations to address many of our pressing problems such as housing and energy shortages.
The South African Large Telescope (SALT) is one of the flagship projects of national scientific enterprise. Construction has been completed, and the launch of the telescope is planned for November this year. This will bring us a step closer to creating a hub of Astronomy research in Southern Africa.
Science and technology, generally, and in particular physics, are the most powerful tools for addressing sustainable development. We are pleased that the South African Institute of Physics is co-hosting later this year in Durban a World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development. My Department will continue to provide support in the hope that the people of South Africa will reap future benefits from the research and development initiatives emanating from such interactions.
The Innovation Fund was established to promote key issues of competitiveness, quality of life, environmental sustainability, and the harnessing of information technology. One of the objectives of the Department of Science and Technology is to bolster technological change in the South African economy and society, mainly by means of innovation. Within this context, the DST is tasked with identifying and developing the lead sectors that will substantially expand the base for the creation of wealth, and position our country to compete successfully within the dynamic knowledge economy.
My department has identified the hydrogen economy and related fuel cell technologies as a “Frontier Science and Technology” initiative that would allow proactive development of innovation and human resources while leveraging key natural resources. The development of this technology will provide opportunities for research towards significant social and economic benefits for the country.
The physics community initiated the “Future of physics in South Africa” project, and my department is engaging the researchers to identify areas of activity that need support in order to position physics in South Africa as a global competitor while contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.
South African industry invests in technology, research and development, to improve the quality of its products and operations, so as to remain competitive globally. Physicists, along with other scientists and engineers, would have to be active participants in the global interchange of technology and expertise.
With these few words, we now wish to declare the 50th annual conference of the South African Institute officially open, and trust that your deliberations will strengthen physics in South Africa. We look forward to many years of a vibrant Institute of Physics to support the development of physics in our country.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
5 July 2005
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