/ 11 November 2011

The South African Young Academy of Science is launched

The South African Young Academy Of Science Is Launched

The department of science and technology and the Academy of Science of South Africa have launched South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) in Pretoria on, September 27 2011.

The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, inaugurated twenty leading young scientists as Founder Members of SAYAS. The group was selected from among the best scientific minds in South Africa and represents a diverse range of talent in terms of race, gender and scientific discipline.

SAYAS was borne out of the need for young scientists to contribute towards solutions to important national and global challenges facing society. It will represent the voice of young scientists on national and international issues and give them a platform to influence policy decisions.

It is envisaged that SAYAS would become one of the apex advisory structures to government on science and policy matters, along with the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the SA National Council on Innovation and the Council for Higher Education, amongst other national institutions.

SAYAS also aims to contribute towards the development of scientific capacity in South Africa through mentoring and role-modeling of future scientists, and by fostering opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations between young scientists. It particular, it will bridge the gap between the more senior and well-established ASSAf and the younger scientists who represent future leaders in their fields, but are not part of ASSAf.

SAYAS will further promote science awareness among learners, young scientists and society in general. At a global level, SAYAS will link up with the Global Young Academy of sciences to provide opportunities for South African young scientists to interact internationally with other young scientists.

ASSAf has blessed the formation of SAYAS, recognising the importance of establishing a forum for younger scientists and has provided support for turning the concept into a reality. The Department of Science and Technology has also given its approval and will meet with SAYAS in the near future to discuss future opportunities. SAYAS was taken from a concept to the launch by a dedicated team of young scientists working with ASSAf over the past year.

SAYAS meets Minister Pandor
SAYAS exco members subsequently met with Mrs Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology on 13 October 2011 who expressed how pleased she was that SAYAS had been launched as it would provide structure to the role she would like to see young scientists playing in South Africa. At the meeting, she told the SAYAS EXCO members that she considered SAYAS an excellent initiative to fulfil several objectives for the country, especially retaining young scientists and PhD graduates in science and technology, to benefit society. The Department of Science and Technology will continue to work closely with SAYAS to assist it in the fulfillment of this mandate.

SAYAS in a nutshell
SAYAS is based in Pretoria and hosted by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). The SAYAS members will meet once a year during the General Assembly for major decision-making. Working groups will be established to tackle projects and issues of national importance affecting young people and will meet more often. Many meeting have already taken place electronically.

SAYAS will engage in various types of projects and already have an output that is linked to human capital development. The founding members wrote an article for the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) titled, ‘Internet access constrains science development and training at South African universities’. One key activity is engagement with various stakeholders to discuss managing an academy and potential networks with other organisations.

They have met with ASSAf, and will meet with Prof Howard Alper, the co-chair of IAP: the global network of science academies and who has been heavily involved in inspiring the link between the IAP and the World Economic Forum (WEF) and has built various academies across the world and is now part of the board of the Global Young Academy (GYA). As part of the link with WEF, some of the members are also going to be meeting with WEF Young Global Leaders to discuss the potential links between science and industry.

SAYAS membership

This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial supplement