The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, will address the opening session of the 18th Biennial Conference of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa, which will take place at the Great Hall of the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg at 18:00 this evening.
The Minister will speak to more than 100 local and international scientists about palaeontology's bright future in South Africa.
The Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa was founded in 1979 and is organised exclusively for educational and scientific purposes. Its main objective is to advance the science of palaeontology in Southern Africa, and it is particularly concerned with the conservation and preservation of fossil sites and the promotion of heritage awareness.
The Department of Science and Technology’s Ten-Year Innovation Plan identifies palaeontology as one of South Africa’s key focus areas. The Department has established a Centre of Excellence in Palaeosciences and has partnered with major national museums to understand the roots that bind all the people on this planet.
Media are invited.
Programme:
18:00 Welcome - Prof. Bruce S Rubidge (MC)
18:05 Introduction of Minister Naledi Pandor-Prof. Beatrys Lacquet
18:10 "A bright future for palaeontology in South Africa"-Minister Naledi Pandor
18:25 Introduction of keynote speaker Kevin Hand-Prof. Bruce S. Rubidge
18:30 "Using Palaeontology to search for extraterrestrial life"-Dr Kevin Hand
19:15 Question and answer session-Prof. Beatrys Lacquet
19:25 Vote of thanks
20:00 Cocktail reception
22:00 End of function
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Cell: 082 566 0446
