Issued by: Department of Art, Culture, Science and Technology
10 SEPTEMBER 1999
Pretoria - It was with pleasure that Minister Ben Ngubane this week announced the appointment of his new Director-General, Dr Rob Adam. Dr Ngubane expressed his belief in Dr Adam's excellent leadership skills, and commented on his competency in and commitment to the sectors that he will be serving. Dr Ngubane said that Adam's appointment ensures that the policies, institutions and programmes established by his Ministry since 1994 will continue to flourish and serve the people of the country. "Dr Adam will steer a strong path into the new millennium for the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology" he said.
Cabinet approved the appointment of Dr Adam early this week. Adam is well equipped to meet the strenuous demands of the job. At 43, he has extensive experience in government management, a comprehensive understanding of national science issues and a passionate and demonstrated love of the South African arts. Officials in the Department, having worked with Adam for a number of years, are pleased with the appointment and voiced their support. Said Dr Nonahlanhla Mkhulisi, Director of Language Services, "Rob is a great guy, dedicated to his job and well aware of the priorities for the Department, the government and the SADC region".
Dr Adam, previously Deputy Director-General: Science and Technology, already has significant experience and is well aware of the complexities and demands of being Director-General. Since the departure of the Roger Jardine earlier this year, Dr Adam has been acting in the position and has already made his mark in ensuring that productivity, innovation, creativity and drive form the key elements of DACST's performance.
A towering figure in the halls of DACST, Adam graduated from the University of Cape Town in 1978 with a BSc. Honours in Chemistry. From 1981 to 1990, while serving time as political prisoner under the apartheid government, Adam obtained both an Honours and a Masters degree in Theoretical Physics (with distinction for each) from UNISA. He also completed research for his Doctorate in Theoretical Physics, obtained after his release.
Rob Adam completed a post doctorate fellowship at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam (1992-1993) and then worked at the Physics Department of the University of Natal. In 1995, he was appointed Chief Director:
Science, Technology and Terminology at DACST. He was promoted to Deputy Director-General in Science and Technology in 1996.
Adam has been involved in policy development since 1990, when he convened the Interim Science and Technology Group (ISTG), mandated by the African National Congress (ANC) to draft a national policy for science and technology. He also has 18 research publications in international journals in the area of nuclear physics.
Dr Ngubane said that he and his Deputy Minister Brigitte Mabandla looked forward to a productive working relationship with Dr Adam and looked forward to the growth and development of the Department in the new Millennium.