Speech by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor MP, at the launch of National Science Week, University of the North West, Mafikeng.
Dr Phil Mjwara, the Programme Director,
Ms Maphefo Matsemela, North West MEC for Education,
Prof. Dan Kgwadi, NWU Vice-Chancellor,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
It's a pleasure to be here in Mafikeng.
This year we celebrate national science week under the theme, "Light and light-based technologies”. This is United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)'s theme for 2015. Light and light-based technologies are called photonics. Photonics is the science and technology of light. Without a deep understanding of photonics there would be no lasers (for recreation or eye operations) or optical fibres or the cameras and displays in our cellphones. It's a science that has given birth to huge industries - laser-based manufacturing, energy-efficient lighting, health care, and safety and security. These are industries that are strategically important for South Africa and Africa. Photonics is one of the key enabling technologies for our future prosperity .
Photonics was also the special theme of this year's National Science and Technology Forum awards. In fact there was a special award for photonics-related research. It was won by Professor Forbes at Wits University. He used to work for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), government's leading science laboratory, at the national laser centre. He set up research groups that included digital holography, optical communication, optical trapping and tweezing, and high-dimensional quantum entanglement. Then he opened a new quantum optics laboratory. He spread enthusiasm far and wide and then he moved on. He developed a technique for measuring light fields called modal decomposition - a world first.
And he was part of the team that developed the first digital laser in 2013. It made international headlines. A digital laser is an innovation widely regarded as a milestone in laser technology and with a potential to spur future laser-related innovations. It's very encouraging to know that the inventor of this promising technology is the young researcher Dr Sandile Ngcobo (then 33) who was working on his PhD at the CSIR. Sandile was born in Kwa-Mafunze village on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. This just goes to show that where one comes from does not determine one’s future.
We have put in place opportunities for you to develop high level laser technology skills. In 2013, the NRF signed an agreement with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France. This makes South Africa a full international scientific partner in the ESRF along with 18 other countries from the broader European region. The partnership facilitates access of South African scientists to the ESRF research facility, and the access of European Scientists to South African expertise and research opportunities .
The CSIR’s National Laser Centre runs a human development initiative focusing on training Master’s and Doctoral level students. Through its Laser Loan
Pool programme, the National Laser Centre provides students with access to state-of-the-art laser equipments for their research. Annually, just over 200 publications are produced, whilst an average of 120 Master’s and Doctoral laser research students benefit from the programme.
The DST, through the National Research Foundation (NRF), also offers postgraduate bursaries and students and I encourage you to take advantage of such opportunities.
The celebration of the NSW 2015 under the theme “Light and light-based technologies” coincides with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of the nearest star to the Earth, Proxima Centauri, at the now Johannesburg Observatory. This star is our closest neighbour, and measured in light years, it is 4.243 years away from us. In simple terms, a light year is the distance light takes to travel in one year.
Tomorrow's scientific discoveries and innovations grow out of the research and education pursued in today's science councils, universities, and schools. We in the DST value science today so that we can look forward to young scientists fulfilling their potential in a science-based future.
Of course, for the youth of today to become the scientists of tomorrow they must know about the various careers that are available in the world of science, engineering, technology and innovation.
I'm happy to launch the Mzansi4Science portal, which is another platform identified to profile the work of universities and science councils in addition to social media, television and radio. Mzansi4Science can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
The Department of Science and Technology is involved in various public awareness initiatives during the calendar year, but National Science Week is by far the most significant. My department collaborates with science councils, universities, science centres, and other government departments and agencies, with a view to exposing our learners to the world of science.
I would like to thank the North West provincial government and the North West University for their excellent work in preparing for today's event.
I believe we can achieve more through partnerships than by working alone and so various stakeholders and role players in our innovation system take part in National Science Week.
I believe that this is what enriches National Science Week and makes it an invaluable public-awareness initiative.
With these few words, I invite all our citizens participate in week-long science activities in throughout the country.
Thank you.
