PROF ES’KIA MPHAHLELE
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2004
Prof Es’kia Mphahlele may seem an unusual
choice for the National Research Foundation’s
second Lifetime Achievement Award
– he is, after all, a novelist, critic, teacher
and philosopher. However, in his life and
achievements, the NRF identifies a humanist
whose teachings may well assist in shaping
a moral code for the research and practise
of “hard sciences” in a changed political
and fiction editor. In 1957, he began what would
be a 20-year exile, returning to South Africa in
1977 as Professor of African Literature at the
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
Much of his writing was completed during
those years of exile – work characterised by its
autobiographical content, social commentary,
a great compassion for humanity and a
celebration of life. Like many black South
Africans, he initially wrote for a white audience,
later identifying with Black Consciousness,
harnessing culture to the liberation struggle.
Since his retirement from Wits in 1987, Prof
Mphahlele has been involved in the founding
of the Es’kia Institute. The Institute seeks to
combine the elements of his life’s work into
a workable educational, arts and culture
curriculum. Prof Mphahlele has for many years
advocated a national education and cultural
approach that embraces the principle he defined
as “Afrikan Humanism”.
The NRF portrays Prof Mphahlele as a
scientist, adding that his philosophy and
teaching owes its formulation to the same
At a glittering function hosted in
Pretoria this week, the National
Research Foundation (NRF) honoured
South Africa’s top researchers.
The prestigious President Awards is
an annual event which recognises the
commitment and achievements of the
local scientific community, emphasising
peer recognition and highlighting the
credibility and desirability of the NRF’s
evaluation and rating system.
Scientific research remains a
competitive occupation. Specialists
around the world vie for the discoveries
and breakthroughs that will distinguish
their work. The NRF’s rating process
enhances the credibility of South
African researchers, demanding that
our scientists produce results of
international standing.
“The NRF rating system seeks
primarily to recognise researchers who
are producing quality research outputs,”
said NRF President Dr Khotso Mokhele,
“while ensuring that they remain
accountable and efficient”.
He commented further: “We believe
that, in the rating system, the NRF
has created a national benchmarking
instrument, as well as a tool to identify
strengths, weaknesses and trends in the
South African scientific arena.”
SA’s TOP RESEARCHERS HONOURED
Dr Khotso Mokhele,
President: National
Research Foundation
PROF BONGANI MAYOSI
ONLY P-RATED RESEARCHER FOR 2004
Prof Bongani Mayosi has been recognised as
having the potential to become a leader in his
field, a notable achievement for a boy raised on
a farm in the former Transkei.
Prof Mayosi obtained a Bachelor of Medical
Science degree from the University of KwaZulu-
Natal, before graduating with a medical degree
in 1990. He was admitted to the Fellowship of
the College of Physicians of South Africa in 1995,
obtained his Doctorate in 2003 and was elected
to the European Society of Cardiology in 2004.
He studied the genetic underpinnings of heart
muscle disease and cardiovascular risk factors in
Oxford from 1998, thanks to a Nuffield Oxford
Medical Fellowship. After completing his thesis
in 2001, he joined the University of Cape Town’s
Cardiac Clinic.
Prof Mayosi feels that his training as a
clinician and researcher allows him to bridge
the divide between clinical medicine and
basic research. “It allows one to translate the
discoveries made in the laboratory into practical
solutions that are applicable to patients in the
clinic,” he says.
It is his present research into heart diseases
prevalent among the poor that has earned him
the NRF’s highest rating for young researchers.
PROF DIANE HILDEBRANDT
ONLY WOMAN A-RATED RESEARCHER
FOR 2004
Prof Diane Hildebrandt chose not to heed her
family’s advice when she was discouraged from
taking science at school. Now an internationally
acclaimed chemical engineer, Prof Hildebrandt
has just been awarded the only A-rating
bestowed in 2004.
Her work takes a creative re-look at the
fundamentals of chemical engineering, the full
impact of which is still being realised as her
approach is applied to additional engineering
processes. This method of analysis and synthesis
is an important breakthrough in her field.
Prof Hildebrandt studied engineering at the
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), her PhD
studies resulting in commendations by her peers
worldwide. “As I progressed, I was inspired more
and more by this field. The role the chemical
engineer plays in our lives and future is critical
in society, business and also the environment.”
In 1998, Prof Hildebrandt and colleague
Prof David Glasser founded the Centre for
Material and Process Synthesis at Wits, in order
to develop competitive industrial processes.
Providing a multi-disciplinary consulting service
to industry, the Centre is finding applications
in a broad spectrum of industries. In 2004,
the Centre entered into a contract to build a
plant in China, the first in a series planned to
demonstrate the technology developed by the
Centre. Among the projects currently under way
is the development of a safe paraffin stove and
a yet-to-extract
essential oil
for home
use.
21700M&G
NOMINATIONS OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
TO THE NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OFFICE
(NIPMO) DISPUTE PANEL
Nominations of suitable candidates to be considered for appointment
to the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO)
Dispute Panel, by the Minister of Science and Technology are hereby
invited from all interested persons. The Dispute Panel shall consist of
five but not more than twenty members.
According to the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed
Research and Development (IPR-PFRD) Act, 2008 (Act 51 of
2008), NIPMO’s core function is to promote the objects of this Act,
i.e. the statutory protection, management and commercialisation of
intellectual property emanating from publicly financed research and
development. The NIPMO is also expected to provide assistance to
recipient institutions with the establishment of offices of technology
transfer and capacity building.
The regulations to the IPR-PFRD Act as published in the Government
Gazette No 33433 Vol. 3 provide for the establishment of a Dispute
Panel by the Minister of Science and Technology. The NIPMO Dispute
Panel is accountable to the Minister and will establish its own rules
of procedure which NIPMO must publish. The Dispute Panel will be
mandated to hear and determine disputes relating to administrative
decisions of NIPMO applying the principles of fairness, justice and
reasonableness. Allowances will be in accordance with National
Treasury guidelines.
It should be borne in mind that the NIPMO Dispute Panel members
should be persons who are citizens of the Republic or have the right
of permanent residence in the Republic. The Dispute Panel will be
drawn from a diverse background and representative of as many
institutions as possible so as to minimise conflict of interests. The
Dispute Panel shall consist of at least five, but no more than twenty
members with experience and expertise in areas relating to at least,
intellectual property protection and management, commercialisation,
dispute resolution and business.
The shortlisted candidates shall undergo screening to ensure
that candidates that are appointed to the Dispute Panel have
been declared to comply with the objects of the IPR-PFRD Act.
Nominations should be submitted to the Minister of Science and
Technology by no later than 6 May 2011.
Nominations may be e-mailed, posted and/or delivered to DST
Reception at the following addresses (in envelopes marked –
National Intellectual Property Management Office: Dispute Panel):
NOMINATIONS OF POTENTIAL CANDIDATES
TO THE NATIONAL INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTYMANAGEMENT OFFICE
(NIPMO) ADVISORY BOARD
Nominations of suitable candidates to be considered for appointment
to the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO)
Advisory Board, by the Minister of Science and Technology are
hereby invited from all interested persons. The Advisory Board will
consist of five but not more than nine members appointed by the
Minister of Science and Technology.
According to the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed
Research and Development Act,2008 (Act 51 of 2008) (IPR-PFDR),
NIPMO’s core function is to promote the objects of this Act, i.e.
the statutory protection, management and commercialisation of
intellectual property emanating from publicly financed research and
development. The NIPMO is also expected to provide assistance to
recipient institutions with the establishment of offices of technology
transfer and capacity building.
The regulations to the IPR-PFRD Act as published in the Government
Gazette No 33433 Vol. 3 provide for the establishment of an Advisory
Board by the Minister of Science and Technology. The Advisory
Board will advise NIPMO on the performance of its functions, the
exercise of its powers and the execution of its duties. The Minister,
in consultation with the Minister of Finance, will determine the
allowances and other benefits of the members of the Advisory Board.
Members shall hold office for a period not exceeding four years.
It should be borne in mind that the NIPMO Advisory Board
members should be persons who are citizens of the Republic or
have the right of permanent residence in the Republic and have
distinguished themselves in the fields of research management,
higher education environment, intellectual property protection
and management, technology transfer and business, technology
licensing and commercialisation or possess the relevant
qualifications, experience or skills in relation to some aspects of
the functions of the NIPMO.
The shortlisted candidates shall undergo screening to ensure
that candidates that are appointed to the Advisory Board have
been declared to comply with the objects of the IPR-PFRD Act.
Nominations should be submitted to the Minister of Science and
Technology by no later than 6 May 2011.
Appropriate curricula vitae should accompany the nominations. The
following information should also be provided: Identity number;
gender and race; designation and responsibilities; address,
telephone, fax and e-mail; qualifications / field of study; current
and past service on boards; area of expertise; names of contactable
referees, as well as confirmation of the availability of the nominee.
Nominations may be e-mailed, posted and/or delivered to DST Reception
at the following addresses (in envelopes marked – National Intellectual
Property Management Office (Advisory Board):
Postal Address: The Director-General, c/o Motlagomang
Diphoko, Department of Science and Technology, Private Bag
X894, PRETORIA, 0001. Physical Address: Department of
Science & Technology, Building 53 CSIR Campus, Meiring
Naude Road, Brummeria, Pretoria 0184
NB: Failure to comply with the requirement of the advert, will
result in the nomination not being considered.
Enquiries: Motlagomang Diphoko. Tel: (012) 843 6641. Fax
no: 086 675 5328. Email: [email protected]
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES
THE NATIONAL RESEARCH
FOUNDATION (NRF) BOARD
The Board of the National Research Foundation is appointed by
the Minister of Science and Technology in terms of the NRF Act,
1998 (Act No. 23 of 1998). Nominations of suitable candidates
to be considered for appointment to the NRF Board are hereby
invited from all interested persons or organisations. The Board
shall consist of the Chairperson and not less than nine and not more
than eleven members.
The objective of the NRF is to support and promote research
through funding, human resource development and the provision
of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation
of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science
and technology, including indigenous knowledge and thereby
contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of all the
people of the Republic.
The members of the NRF Board must all be persons who have
achieved distinction in the field of research and technology, research
and technology management, business, public affairs or civil society.
Board members are appointed in their personal capacities, but
the Minister must ensure that they are broadly representative of
the following sectors: tertiary education; business; agricultural
and environmental sciences; health sciences; natural sciences and
engineering; social sciences and humanities; and civil society.
Nominations received in response to the advert which closed on the
30 August 2010 will be considered in this round of nominations.
Members shall hold office for a period of three years.
Members will receive remuneration or allowances as the Minister
may, with the concurrence of the Minister of Finance determine.
The nominations should be submitted to the Minister of Science and
Technology by no later than 6 May 2011.
The nominations must include comprehensive curricula vitae; Identity
number; gender and race; designation and responsibilities; address,
telephone, fax and e-mail; qualifications / field of study; current
and past service on boards; area of expertise; names of contactable
referees, as well as confirmation of the availability of the nominee.
NB: Failure to comply with the requirements of the advert,
will result in the nomination not being considered.
Nominations may be forwarded to the following address:
The Director-General, Attention: Ms Precious Tsolo,
Department of Science and Technology, Private Bag x 894,
PRETORIA, 0001. Tel: (012) 843 6647. Fax: 086 681
0258. E-mail: [email protected]