Date: 18/03/2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Launch of International Year of Physics
Address by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, the South African Chapter of the Year of Physics launch at Scifest, Grahamstown
Distinguished guests,
Educators,
Learners,
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we launch the International Year of Physics in South Africa, I would like to commend the South African Steering Committee for the Year of Physics for their work in planning for the events and activities for 2005. I hope that through these activities, we shall inspire more of our youth to follow careers in science and engineering. I have no doubt that the planned activities will also enhance and improve scientific literacy.
According to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, sustainable development is probably the most daunting challenge that humanity has ever faced. Achieving sustainable development requires us to address fundamental issues at local, regional and global level. The role of science and technology is crucial to resolving the economic, social and environmental problems that make current development paths unsustainable. Physics forms part of the foundation on which we build science and technology. The integral role physics plays in this process may be evident to scientists, however, it is not necessarily apparent to the larger community.
There is a global concern over the lack of students entering science, especially physics, and mathematics disciplines at school and tertiary levels, and the ratio of women to men in this pool only exacerbates the situation. Recognising the need to re-ignite interest in physics and awareness of its impact on sustainable societal development, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the year 2005 as the International Year of Physics (IYP2005).
The primary objectives of the International Year of Physics 2005 are to enhance the role of women in Physics, and to raise public awareness about Physics. Under the mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO is coordinating global activities for the International Year of Physics 2005.
IYP2005 is timed to coincide with the centennial celebration of Albert Einstein's year of seminal discoveries in physics. Albert Einstein revolutionised our understanding of the core areas of physics by publishing three of his most famous papers on special relativity, the photoelectric effect, and Brownian motion in a single year.
At different times in his school career, Einstein suffered from misunderstanding and even abuse. For example, he was told by one teacher that he was stupid and would come to nothing. He was also told that he should seek employment that relied on his hand skills rather that his mental abilities. The power of the imagination to overcome difficulties and challenges underpins Einstein’s contribution to science. It also underpins the theme of the IYP2005, which marks 100 years of his amazing contributions.
We are living in exciting times, where as a country we have the opportunity of making science and technology work towards improving the quality of life of our people, and to enhance economic growth. By harnessing and promoting our social uniqueness, geographical advantages and indigenous knowledge, South Africa has the potential of becoming a premier science and technology destination in the world.
Certainly, you are all aware that South Africa is currently the only African country with a presence in the Antarctica, and which is also conducting research there in Physics, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Biological and Oceanographic Sciences. Antarctica is often described as the most inhospitable and uninhabitable place on Earth. Yet South African researchers, male and female, spend months of every year living and doing research there!
The South African base, SANAE IV, is one of few country bases built on hard rock as opposed to the ice shelf, and is regarded as one of the more modern bases on Antarctica. The Department of Science and Technology has finalised the Antarctic Research Strategy for South Africa. This document charts a new direction for our research contribution to the body of knowledge generated in this harsh domain.
Africa is often referred to as the Cradle of Humankind. We are developing a theme, called “African Origins” to integrate palaeontology, archaeology, genetics and the social sciences in reaching a more profound understanding of our unique heritage in South Africa. This will form the basis for interdisciplinary, multi-institutionalised research that will harness the wealth of fossils, the key insights from archaeology and the history of our people in Africa.
South Africa is also striving towards becoming a “portal” in space science and technology, and astronomy. The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. It is nearing completion in Sutherland in the Northern Cape. This telescope will be able to record distant stars and galaxies a billion times too faint to see with the naked eye, which is as faint as a candle at the distance of the moon away.
The department sees these investments in leading edge research and technology as an investment in the future of South Africa.
Physics can be fun! Unfortunately popular culture tends to portray physicists as boring or barmy characters, this way further contributing to the negative stereotypes our youth find difficult to identify with. Physics underpins nearly every useful technological development we have adapted, from the wheel to sophisticated modern technologies such as lasers. The physicist is the ultimate diagnostician of the fabric and the origins of the universe. The quest for understanding is not over. Recent developments have shown new challenges in understanding the strange dark matter and energy that seem to be essential to the early universe.
These studies may seem to be somewhat out of touch with our everyday concerns. However, when the laser was invented, physicists could not think of its many uses; today lasers are essential to the telecommunications industry, medical science, materials processing, measuring distance and entertainment.
Physics needs a new injection of young people not daunted by the popular images, but compelled by the joy of discovery and pursuit of understanding. The department is driving IYP2005 activities aimed at re-igniting interest in Physics amongst learners and the public. There are several local and international events taking place throughout the country. South Africa is proud to host the General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in Cape Town on 14 to 18 October 2005. The General Assembly will precede the World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development in Durban on 31 October 2005 to 2 November 2005. These events will see a mass gathering of role players in the physics community. Local activities include the 50th SAIP conference being held in Pretoria on 4 to 8 July. Science Centres across South Africa will be developing and presenting Physics orientated exhibits. We urge you to make it your habit of visiting a science centre in your area regularly to learn more about the wonders and applications of physics, in particular, and science in general.
We also encourage all the young people - our present and future scientists - to explore the wonders of mathematics, science and technology with your fellow South Africans. These are truly the tools that can change the world. Once we had a dream of a democratic society that some thought was unattainable. Yet we persevered and emerged triumphant. Now we have a challenge to strive towards sustainable social and economical development anchored in a knowledge economy.
To the learners here today, we encourage you to embrace the study of science and technology. South Africa is certainly full of possibilities. We all have the opportunity to make the International Year of Physics 2005 in South Africa a resounding success. After all, it is your physics!
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
18 march 2005
Source: Ministry of Science and Technology
Title: Mangena: Launch of International Year of Physics
Address by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, the South African Chapter of the Year of Physics launch at Scifest, Grahamstown
Distinguished guests,
Educators,
Learners,
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we launch the International Year of Physics in South Africa, I would like to commend the South African Steering Committee for the Year of Physics for their work in planning for the events and activities for 2005. I hope that through these activities, we shall inspire more of our youth to follow careers in science and engineering. I have no doubt that the planned activities will also enhance and improve scientific literacy.
According to the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, sustainable development is probably the most daunting challenge that humanity has ever faced. Achieving sustainable development requires us to address fundamental issues at local, regional and global level. The role of science and technology is crucial to resolving the economic, social and environmental problems that make current development paths unsustainable. Physics forms part of the foundation on which we build science and technology. The integral role physics plays in this process may be evident to scientists, however, it is not necessarily apparent to the larger community.
There is a global concern over the lack of students entering science, especially physics, and mathematics disciplines at school and tertiary levels, and the ratio of women to men in this pool only exacerbates the situation. Recognising the need to re-ignite interest in physics and awareness of its impact on sustainable societal development, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared the year 2005 as the International Year of Physics (IYP2005).
The primary objectives of the International Year of Physics 2005 are to enhance the role of women in Physics, and to raise public awareness about Physics. Under the mandate from the United Nations General Assembly, UNESCO is coordinating global activities for the International Year of Physics 2005.
IYP2005 is timed to coincide with the centennial celebration of Albert Einstein's year of seminal discoveries in physics. Albert Einstein revolutionised our understanding of the core areas of physics by publishing three of his most famous papers on special relativity, the photoelectric effect, and Brownian motion in a single year.
At different times in his school career, Einstein suffered from misunderstanding and even abuse. For example, he was told by one teacher that he was stupid and would come to nothing. He was also told that he should seek employment that relied on his hand skills rather that his mental abilities. The power of the imagination to overcome difficulties and challenges underpins Einstein’s contribution to science. It also underpins the theme of the IYP2005, which marks 100 years of his amazing contributions.
We are living in exciting times, where as a country we have the opportunity of making science and technology work towards improving the quality of life of our people, and to enhance economic growth. By harnessing and promoting our social uniqueness, geographical advantages and indigenous knowledge, South Africa has the potential of becoming a premier science and technology destination in the world.
Certainly, you are all aware that South Africa is currently the only African country with a presence in the Antarctica, and which is also conducting research there in Physics, Engineering, Earth Sciences, Biological and Oceanographic Sciences. Antarctica is often described as the most inhospitable and uninhabitable place on Earth. Yet South African researchers, male and female, spend months of every year living and doing research there!
The South African base, SANAE IV, is one of few country bases built on hard rock as opposed to the ice shelf, and is regarded as one of the more modern bases on Antarctica. The Department of Science and Technology has finalised the Antarctic Research Strategy for South Africa. This document charts a new direction for our research contribution to the body of knowledge generated in this harsh domain.
Africa is often referred to as the Cradle of Humankind. We are developing a theme, called “African Origins” to integrate palaeontology, archaeology, genetics and the social sciences in reaching a more profound understanding of our unique heritage in South Africa. This will form the basis for interdisciplinary, multi-institutionalised research that will harness the wealth of fossils, the key insights from archaeology and the history of our people in Africa.
South Africa is also striving towards becoming a “portal” in space science and technology, and astronomy. The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest optical telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. It is nearing completion in Sutherland in the Northern Cape. This telescope will be able to record distant stars and galaxies a billion times too faint to see with the naked eye, which is as faint as a candle at the distance of the moon away.
The department sees these investments in leading edge research and technology as an investment in the future of South Africa.
Physics can be fun! Unfortunately popular culture tends to portray physicists as boring or barmy characters, this way further contributing to the negative stereotypes our youth find difficult to identify with. Physics underpins nearly every useful technological development we have adapted, from the wheel to sophisticated modern technologies such as lasers. The physicist is the ultimate diagnostician of the fabric and the origins of the universe. The quest for understanding is not over. Recent developments have shown new challenges in understanding the strange dark matter and energy that seem to be essential to the early universe.
These studies may seem to be somewhat out of touch with our everyday concerns. However, when the laser was invented, physicists could not think of its many uses; today lasers are essential to the telecommunications industry, medical science, materials processing, measuring distance and entertainment.
Physics needs a new injection of young people not daunted by the popular images, but compelled by the joy of discovery and pursuit of understanding. The department is driving IYP2005 activities aimed at re-igniting interest in Physics amongst learners and the public. There are several local and international events taking place throughout the country. South Africa is proud to host the General Assembly of the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics in Cape Town on 14 to 18 October 2005. The General Assembly will precede the World Conference on Physics and Sustainable Development in Durban on 31 October 2005 to 2 November 2005. These events will see a mass gathering of role players in the physics community. Local activities include the 50th SAIP conference being held in Pretoria on 4 to 8 July. Science Centres across South Africa will be developing and presenting Physics orientated exhibits. We urge you to make it your habit of visiting a science centre in your area regularly to learn more about the wonders and applications of physics, in particular, and science in general.
We also encourage all the young people - our present and future scientists - to explore the wonders of mathematics, science and technology with your fellow South Africans. These are truly the tools that can change the world. Once we had a dream of a democratic society that some thought was unattainable. Yet we persevered and emerged triumphant. Now we have a challenge to strive towards sustainable social and economical development anchored in a knowledge economy.
To the learners here today, we encourage you to embrace the study of science and technology. South Africa is certainly full of possibilities. We all have the opportunity to make the International Year of Physics 2005 in South Africa a resounding success. After all, it is your physics!
I thank you
Issued by: Ministry of Science and Technology
18 march 2005
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