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THE STAR - BUSINESS REPORT

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20-21

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Fri 28 June 2019

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298364.04

2018/2019 NSTF-South32 AwardsNational Science andTechnologyForum

ScienceOscars, a lens throughwhich to look at our worldTHEMED to align with the United Nations' 'Yearof the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements',the National Science and Technology Forum's(NSTF) 2018/2019 NSTFE-South32 Awards cere-mony included a special award for a contribu-tion to science, engineering and technology(SET) and innovation for "Materials for inclusiveeconomic development".

The awards recognise a variety of outstand-ing contributions to SET and innovation, byprofessional scientists, innovators, and otherscience-related professionals.Held last night inGauteng, the annual NSTF-South32 Awardsevent also acknowledged outstanding achieve-ments in science and mathematics in Grade 12through the forum's Brilliants Programme.

It is 150 years since Dmitry Mendeleev dis-covered the Periodic System and the UN's dec-laration of this International Year theme has thesupport of numerous scientific, technological,philosophical and historical organisations frommore than 50 countries.

Elaborating on the Periodic Table, NSTFChairman, Prof Ali Dhansay, says, "At firstglance, it appears to be just an arranged list ofelements used as a tool in chemistry. However,it is also a lens through which to look at ourworld. It is one of the most significant achieve-ments in science, capturing the essence not onlyof chemistry, but also of physics and biology.

The unique tool enables scientists to predictthe appearance and properties of matter on theEarth and in the rest of the Universe."

The 21st celebration of South African ex-

Independence,innovation,collaboration,disseminationTHE National Science andTechnology Forum (NSTF)is the largest national non-profit stakeholder body forall science, engineering andtechnology (SET) and innov-ation organisations in SouthAfrica.

Since 1995, it has beenan independent voice pro-moting SET and innovationthrough collaborative effortsand its aim is to impact posi-tively on societyand improve_ grammes.

people's lives by: playing apowerful consultative rolein policy matters; organisingthe prestigiousNSTFAwards,in partnership with South32as the co-branding sponsor;facilitating networking andcooperation within the com-munity; widely disseminat-ing and sharing SET-relatednews and information; en-suring the implementationand running of SET pro-

ProfAliDhansay

cellence and outstanding contributions to SETfeatured awards in the following broad areas in13 categories:

* Scientific research* Innovation* Management and related activities* Capacity development in engineering re-

search* Environmental sustainability, biodiversity

conservation and the green economy

duces

metals.

SOUTH32, a globally diversifiedmining and metals company, pro-

bauxite, alumina, alumin-ium, energy and metallurgical coal,manganese, nickel, silver, lead andzinc in Australia, Southern Africaand South America. It also owns ahigh-grade zinc, lead and silver de-velopment option in North Americaand has several partnerships withjunior explorers with a focuson base

The company's declared purposeis to make a difference by devel-oping natural resources, improv-ing people's lives for generations

* Water research and innovation* Data management* Science communicationThe Special Annual Theme Award, which

went to Prof Alexander Quandt was for anoutstanding contribution to SET and innova-tion, through work on materials for inclusiveeconomic development. He is the Acting Chair:Materials for Energy Research Group; and FocusArea Co-ordinator: Centre of Excellence inStrong Materials, at the University of the Wit-watersrand.

The Lifetime Award went to Prof RobinCrewe, Senior Research Fellow: Centre for theAdvancement of Scholarship, at the Universityof Pretoria.

The awards showcase the research and de-velopment capacity of our nation and how thewinners' work supports South Africa's advance-ment, economic growth and the social uplift,ment of our people. They were the first and arethe largest SET and innovation awards in thecountry. Known as the 'Science Oscars', partof the focus is on profiling the Award Winnersas role models, which includes the year-longengagement programme with students andlearners called the 'Share 'n Dare Programme'.

The NSTF Brilliants Programme recognisesthe outstanding Grade 12performers in physicalscience and mathematics, exposing them to theSET network and future career opportunities.

The NSTF is the most representativemulti-stakeholder forum in South Africa pro-moting SET and innovation.

SET skills are critical to its business

to come, and to be trusted by itsowners and partners to realise thepotential of its resources.

Skills in science, engineering andtechnology (SET) are critical to thebusiness and investment in edu-cation and skills development forlocal communities is a priority forits operations in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and NorthernCape, where it supports local learn-ing programmes to improve educa-tion outcomes. It sponsors the NSTFawards because of SA's potential toinfluence the world through SETand innovation.

NSTF andSET communityarealreadyattunedtoPresident'saspirationsTHERE were a number of indications in Presi-dent Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Addressto indicate that research, technological innov-ation and R&D are of critical importance toSouth Africa.

Jansie Niehaus, NSTF Executive Director,comments as follows:

These have always been essential to a coun-try's development and its global competitive-ness. The NSTF Awards demonstrate everyyear that South Africa has world class talent,capabilities and achievements. This countryshould leverage this wealth of capacity better,and appreciate its scientists, engineers andinnovators as essential resources in the 21stcentury.

Speaking of the need for a new social com-pact, the president indicated that partner-ships between government, business, labour,communities and civil society are essential toachieve the national goals. We agree, it is anapproach that has borne fruit wherever it hasbeen applied seriously. All stakeholders should'buy into' the process and play their roles toensure success.

At NSTF discussion forums the need forcollaboration among various sectors has beenraised repeatedly in different contexts. TheNSTF itself is a stakeholder forum that bringsthese sectors together from the point of viewof scientific research, technological innovationand the policy environment.

President Ramaphosa wants a high-techeconomy where, for example, advances in

JansieNiehaus,NSTFExecutiveDirector

e-health, robotics and remote medicine are ap-plied to improve health care. Although high-tech is not the only way to improve people'slives, there are newly available technologiesthat can make a difference. New health care

technologies are examples of Fourth Indus-trial Revolution (4IR) technologies that aredeveloping rapidly in the global context.They are becoming increasingly available forapplication in the solution of complex prob-lems, as reflected by some of our award win-ners, current and past. A case in point is ProfTshilidzi Marwala, now the vice-chancellor ofthe University of Johannesburg, who receivedthe NSTF Award in the Researcher category in2007. Prof Marwala is arguably the top expertin our country on the 4IR and its technologies.

Addressing the urgent need to grow theeconomy, Ramaphosa outlined various govern-ment priorities, including the mining sector,and developing markets for South Africanminerals. One of the ways in which this will bedone is 'increased research and development.In keeping with his call for South Africans toprepare for the 4IR and embrace its oppor-tunities, he highlighted the need for skills innew technologies as well as empowering theyouth to participate in the economy and takeadvantage of such opportunities.

The 4IR context entails a rapidly changingjob market to which South Africa has to adapt.The foundation for the required skills has to belaid during primary school, including subjectslike coding and data analytics. An enablingenvironment has to be created to allow andstimulate innovation. The president also re-cognises the increasingly significant role ofyoung people in generating innovative ideasand businesses.

Winners of the 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 AwardsThe national NSTF-South32 Awards are the lar-gest science, engineering, technology (SET) andinnovation awards in South Africa. Known asthe 'Science Oscars , they were the first scienceawards in the country. The focus is on spread-ing information about SET to the public, whichincludes the year-long engagement programmewith students and learners called the Share 'nDare Programme. The Brilliants Programmerecognises outstanding Grade 12 performersin physical science and mathematics, exposingthem to the SET network and future careeroppor tunities.

This year a record number of 161 nomina-tions, 20 percent up on last year, were adjudi-cated in 13 categories. Of these, 27 were nomin-ated for more than one category. There were 60finalists, 19 in more than one category, givinga total of 79. It is an extraordinary honour tobe an NSTF-South32 Award finalist given thequality of the nominations received, the fiercecompetition, and the growing interest from thecommunity over the years.

Outstanding contributions to SET and in-

by an TW Kambule-NSTF Award:Researcher throughresearchand

Lifetime- Award,individualover15yearsormore:Prof Robin Crewe, Senior its outputs,by an individualfromResearchFellowCentrefor the sixyearsupto 15yearsofresearchAdvancementof Scholarship,work fromthe commencementofUniversityofPretoria the researchcareer,predominantly

in SouthAfrica:Prof LindiweInnocentia Zungu ExecutiveDean:GraduateStudies,UniversityofSouthAfrica

novation were awarded and celebrated in thefollowing broad areas under 13 categories:e Scientific researche Innovatione Management and related activitiese Capacity development in engineering

researche Environmental sustainability, biodiversity

conservation and green economye Water research and innovatione Data managemente Science Communication

The special annual theme award was madefor a contribution towards 'Materials for inclu-sive economic development'. This was madein recognition of the 'International Year of thePeriodic Table of Chemical Elements' declaredby the United Nations (IYPT2019).Jansie Niehaus, NSTF Executive Directorand spokesperson, says "It is an honour tobe nominated, an outstanding achievement toreach the finals aswell as an exceptional mile-stone and celebration of excellence to win oneof these awards."

TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging researcher throughresearchanditsoutputs,byan individualuptosixyearsofresearchworkfromthecommencementoftheresearchcareer,predominantlyinSouthAfrica:Dr Mardé Helbig, SeniorLecturer:ComputerScienceDepartment,Universityof PretoriaandDr Hlumani Ndlovu, Lecturer:DivisionofChemicalandSystemsBiology,Deptof IntegrativeBiomedicalSciences,UniversityofCapeTown(UCT)

2018/2019 NSTF-South32 AwardsNationalScienceandTechnologyForum

Management Award: throughmanagementandrelatedactivities(byan individualoverthelast5-10years)Dr Happy Marumo Sithole Director:CentreforHighPerformanceComputing,CouncilforScientificandIndustrialResearch

Data for Research Award: foradvancingtheavailability,managementanduseofdataforresearch(by an individualor an organisation)Prof TandiMatsha Chair:Departmentof ScienceandTechnology/NationalResearchFoundationSouthAfricanResearchChairInitiativeofCardiometabolicHealth,CapePenin-

sulaUniversityofTechnologyDirector:EnvironmentalPolicyResearchUnit;Professor:Economics,SchoolofEconomics;ResearchChair:AfricanClimateDevelop-

mentInitiative,UCT

NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green EconomyAward: towardsachievingbiodiversityconservation,environmentalsustainabilityanda greenereconomy(byanindividualoranorganisationoverthelast5to10years)Sponsor:TheLewisFoundationsince2019Pro-cess, Energy & Environmental TechnologyStation, University of Johannesbur g Manager:MsNicoleenJansevanRensburg

NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC)Award: towardsachievingsustainablewatermanage-ment,knowledgegenerationandsolutionswithdem-onstratedleadershipandimpact(byanindividualoranorganisationoverthe last5to10years)Sponsor:WRCsince2017Prof Martine Visser Director:Environ-mentalPolicyResearchUnit; Professor:Economics,

SchoolofEconomics;ResearchChair:AfricanClimateDevelopmentInitiative,UCT

Engineering Research Capacity Develop-ment Award: (byan individualoverthe last5 to10years)Sponsor:Eskomsince2003Prof AlisonLewis Dean:Facultyof EngineeringandtheBuiltEnvironment,UCT Prof Elvis Fosso-KankeuAssociateProfessor:SchoolofChemicalandMineralsEngineering,North-WestUniversity

Special Annual Theme Award: Materials forinclusive economic development (inrecognitionoftheUnitedNationsIYPT2019)ProfAlexander QuandtActingChair:Materialsfor EnergyResearchGroup;andFocusAreaCo-ordinator:Centreof Excellencein StrongMaterials,Wits

Innovation Award: Small, Medium and Micro

Enterprise for innovationsandtheir researchand/ordevelopment(byateamoranindividualoverthelast5to10years)Sponsor:NationalIntellectualPropertyManagementOffice(NIPMO)since2019Hydrox Holdings (Pty)Ltd Team ChiefExecutiveOfficer:MrCornelisJohannesdeJager

Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation forinnovationsandtheirresearchand/ordevelopment(byateamoranindividualoverthe last5 to10years)Centrefor Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Unit,Central University of Technology Director:MrGerrieBooysen

Communication Award: for outreachandcreatingawareness(bya teamor individualoverthelast5 years)Wits Communications Services Head:ShironaPatel,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand(Wits)

Non-Governmental Organisation Award: includ-ingtechnologytransfer,andeducationandtrainingactivities(overthelast5 to10years)Eskom Expo for YoungScientists ExecutiveDirector:MrParthyChetty

Researchers are the real heroes of the revolutionTHE Fourth Industrial Revolutionis dramatically changing how hu-mans interact with new technol-ogies, how we embrace innova-tion and convergence, how wecommunicate, and how we usetechnology to improve our col-lective futures, according to Pro-fessor Zeblon Vilakazi, (DeputyVice-Chancellor: Research andPostgraduateAffairs,University ofthe Witwatersrand (WITS).

He says, "It is dramaticallychanging how humans interactwith new technologies, how weembrace innovation and conver-gence,how we communicate, andhowweusetechnologyto improveour collectivefutures.

"Universities have a criticalroleto play in shaping the new digitalworld order through reshapinghow we think about the future ofwork and jobs,the digitaleconomyand new trade opportunities; theroleof the stateand citizensin a lo-cal, regionaland globaldigital con-text; and the challengesassociatedwith the digital divide, inequality,privacy and ethics, amongstotherissues.

"Researchersare at the heartof spearheadingthe creation of

new knowledge, be it discovery,appliedor innovative research.Forexample, in a first for Africa, Witsannouncedlastweekthat research-ers now have accessto the IBMQ network that is exploring thepotential applicationsof quantumcomputing (exponentially fastercomputing),enhancedmedicalim-aging,efficientlight harvestingma-terials (clean energy), secureopticalcommunication networks (cyber-security),amongstother aspects."

Examples of applied researchundertakenby Wits academicsandresearchersinform nationalpolicieslike those related to the sugartax,national health insurance, organdonation and the national min-imum wage,for example.The uni-versity's scientistshave developedtechnology that ensures the ef-ficacy of equipment that test fortuberculosis, which is now in usearound the world.

"But", the professor empha-sizes, "none of these achievementswould be possible without thetalented researchersand studentswho work to advancesociety.Theyare the problem-posersand prob-lem-solvers, the critical thinkers,the experimentersand the challen-

gerswho dare to ask the difficultquestionsand to seekthe answers.They work acrossdisciplinesto pro-duce new knowledge, find cures,save lives, effect social change, andimprove the world for future gen-erations."

Universities also develop themultidisciplinary, high level skillsrequired to tacklethe problemsofthe future and reproduce them inadequatemeasure. In the digitalera, new teaching pedagogiesarerequired to ensure that academicscan participatein the digital space,coupled with world-class infra-structure, creative technologies,accessto data, smart classrooms,simulationlaboratoriesande-zonesto preparefuture graduates.

He adds, "Our exceptional re-searchers make novel discoveries,createnew knowledge, impact onpolicy, change the way we work,advance human rights and socialjustice, and help us to think crit-ically in order to find solutionstoour current and future challenges.They are the vanguards of societywho shouldbeapplaudedandwhodeserveour deepappreciationandcontinuous support. Researchers,we saluteyou!"

University of Pretoria: placing research excellence centre stageUNIVERSI TY of Pretoria (UP) fea-tured strongly in last night's awards.Prof Robin Crewe, Senior ResearchFellow at the Centre for Advance-ment of Scholarship, was honouredwith a Lifetime Award. Dr MardéHelbig, Senior lecturer: ComputerScience Dept, was recognised withthe TW-Kambule-NSTF award for anemerging researcher.

Since 1908 UP has one of Afri-ca'sleading universities, consistentlyranked among the top universitiesworldwide. ProfessorTawana Kupe,its first black Vice-Chancellor andPrincipal, proudly mentions ninefaculties, the only veterinary fac-ulty in the country, and a businessschool. It is also home to staff andstudents from diverse backgroundsand cultures.

"Research," he adds, "is at theheart of UP's vision. While the uni-versity already produces the mostresearch outputs locally, and hasthe most academic staff at PhDlevel (asrecordedby the Departmentof Higher Education and Training),it remains dedicated to furtheringworld-classresearch."

Hence the recent establishmentof three large-scale projects - the

ProfessorTawanaKupe UniversityofPretoria

Future Africacampus,a platform fortrans-disciplinary researchon issuescritical to Africa; the Javett Art Cen-tre, set to become a key venue forlocal and international exhibitions,and research into African art; aswellasThe Engineering 4.0 development,aworld-class hub for smartcities andtransportation, linking vast resourcesin technology and data sciencestoother facultiesvia Future Africa.

In the past year alone, UP's com-

mitment to furthering research hasscoredseveralworld firsts:

In March, Head of the Depart-ment of Otorhinolaryngology, Pro-fessorMashudu Tshifularo and histeam at the UP Faculty of HealthSciences, successfully conducted apioneering surgical procedure using3D-printed middle ear bones. It ishoped that the procedure will treatconductive hearing loss.

Late last year, a lioness at the

North West province's Ukutula Con-servation Center and Biobank gavebirth to two cubs conceived vianon-surgical artificial insemination,part of a researchstudyby a teamofUP scientists. Dr Isabel Callealta, aPhD candidate, saysthe researchhasproduced new data on the Africanlion's reproductive physiology, andhas founded effective non-surgicalAI protocols for this species,whichmay help to conserve the Africanlion.

In April UP astrophysicist, Profes-sorRoger Deane waspart of the inter-national teambehind the first imageof a black hole. His research groupdeveloped simulations of the EventHorizon Telescope- the instrumentused to obtain the ground-breakingimage - thereby helping to betterunderstand the data it provides.

"These achievements further en-trench UP's established reputationfor research quality and excellence.The university continues to empha-siseresearch that is multi-, inter- andtrans-disciplinary, and to encour-age partnerships and collaborativework between researchand industryworldwide -so more world firstswillsurely follow," Prof Kupe concludes.

Achieving biodiversity conservation,environmental sustainabilityand a greeneconomy

THE University of Johannesburg (UJ)congratulates its Technology StationManager, Nickey Janse van Rens-burg, for being awardedthe NationalScience and Technology Forum forthe NSTF-Lewis Foundation GreenEconomy Award. She is recognisedfor her role in research and in-novation in South Africa towardsachieving biodiversity conservation,envirownmental sustainability anda green economy by an individualor an organisation over the past 5to 10 years.

Senior Manager Lesmarie Bent-ley-Steyn says, "Beyond the award,it showsthat along with her peersatUJ, Nickey is committed to 'creatingtomorrow". It further justifies UJ'sposition asthe African leader in thefourth industrial revolution whichplays an increasingly bigger role in

our daily lives and work and thevalue of theseawardsbecomesmorerelevant every year."

As the Process, Energy and En-vironmental Technology StationManager and researcher in sustain-able socio-technical systems Jansevan Rensburg's research interestsspan engineering education, socialinnovation and appropriate technol-ogy development. Shehaspresentedher research in local and inter-national conferences in eight coun-tries and published 38 accreditedjournal papers, conference proceed-ings and book chapters.She is alsoarecent recipient of the SANEA EnergyAward and was a NSTF nomineein 2016 for Outreach and CreatingAwarenessof SETand Innovation.

The Technology Station Pro-gramme, implemented by the Tech-

nology Innovation Agency on behalfof the Department of Science andTechnology, hascreatedaframeworkfor knowledge transfer mandatedto support technology developmentwith SMEs. She believes universitiesshould serve ascentres for the flowof new knowledge and technologydevelopment to support economicgrowth and the UJ station providessubsidised engineering services tosmall and medium enterprises thatoperate in the green economy.

She says, "The primary mandateis to contribute towards improv-ing the competitiveness of industry.SMEs, through the application ofspecialised knowledge, technologyand the interaction between indus-try and academiaenable innovationand technology transfer to grow thegreen economy.

"We facilitate accessto UJ resour-ces, such as laboratories, specialistexper tise and engineering services,by implementing R&D projects ontheir behalf. To impact on the greeneconomy in a sustainable manner,a return on investment in scienceand technology must be measuredthrough the impact on the well-be-ing of our communities. In the faceof climate change, we urgently needto find pathways to a low-carbon,green economy. Only then can weimprove the well-being of nine bil-lion people by 2050 and achieve ournational Sustainable DevelopmentGoals."

She adds: "Our focus is on pro-cessoptimisation, specifically in theenergy and environmental sectorsthat supports14.0businessstrategies,among others."

A lifetime of national and international serviceShort-listed as a 2018/2019 NSTF-South32 final-ist in the categor y: Lifetime Award , Prof MaryGulumian, now head of Toxicology ResearchProjects at the National Institute for Occupa-tional Health (NIOH), has represented the Toxi-cology & Biochemistr y Depar tment for numer-ous years. Her focus having included research,teaching, training and consultation to number ofgovernmental depar tments and industr y stake-holders, as well as specialised service delivery.

The depar tment aims to assess the risk asso-ciated with particles or chemicals by conductinghazard identification and exposure assessment,as well as risk assessment and characterisa-tion, using various methodologies and modelling

strategies. Hazard identification involves deter-mining the toxicity of particles or chemicals,while exposure assessment involves determiningthe degree of exposure, if any, to humans or theenvironment. Risk assessment and character-isation involves correlating the existing infor-mation to assess whether a risk is imminent.Online resources include www.nioh.ac.za/ser-vices/genot oxicity-unit/, www.nioh.ac.za/ser vi-ces/nano-and-micr oparticle-toxicity-unit/ andhttp://www nioh.ac.za/ser vices/healthrisk-as-sessment-unit/.

Similarly , Prof Gulumian has establishedcollaborations with local and international insti-tutions over the years, which allowed for train-

ing of staff and post-graduate students inthe field of general oc-cupational toxicologyand nano-toxicology.These internationalcollaborations includea Brazil, Russia, India,China and South Af-rica (BRICS) Multilat-eral Project and vari-ous European Unionprojects, e.g. EUH2020sprojects including

caLIBRAte, NanoSolvelT, and Gov4Nano.Locally, the professor liaised with various

stakeholders regarding research projects con-ducted within the Toxicology & Biochemistr yDepar tment at the NIOH. Examples include theDepar tment of Science and Technology , MineHealth & Safety Council, Medical Research Coun-cil, National Research Foundation, and Councilfor Scientific and Industrial Research. She alsoserved on committees for South African Bureauof Standards and as Council member of theSouth African Council for Natural ScientificProfessions. Prof Gulumian was also the foundermember and the President of the ToxicologySociety of Toxicology and more recently, theSociety of Risk Analysis.

She has also served on various internationalcommittees, such as the Vice President of Inter-national Union of Toxicology, the InternationalOrganisation for Standardisation, the Organi-sation for Economic Co-operation and Develop-ment, as well as the WHO Chemical Risk Assess-ment Network.

A finalist is a nominee who, in the opinionof the adjudication panel, is consider ed eligiblefor the award. This means that the nominee hasmade a significantly outstanding contribution toSET and innovation in South Africa and quali-fies to be consider ed as a potential winner.