Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation to host the 2019 South African Women in Science Awards
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, will host the 2019 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) to recognise the participation of women in research at the Boardwalk Hotel in Port Elizabeth.
This year’s awards will be held under the theme "Making the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) work for women".
“The 4IR is a new era in technological development that blurs the lines between physical, digital and biological systems. It integrates cyberphysical systems and the Internet of Things, big data and cloud computing, robotics, artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing,” said Minister Nzimande.
Since 2003, the prestigious awards have been encouraging and rewarding younger women who have started careers in research. The awards will be held for the first time under the auspices of the newly named Department of Science and Innovation (formerly the Department of Science and Technology).
Awards in the categories of Distinguished Women Researchers and Distinguished Young Women Researchers will be awarded for research in the Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences, the Human and Social Sciences, and Research and Innovation and the awards in the Research and Innovation category will be awarded in the areas aligned to the 4IR, confirmed the Minister.
The Minister further confirmed that the DST-Albertina Sisulu Fellowships and TATA Scholarships will be awarded to currently registered master's and PhD students.
Prof. Charlene Africa, the Deputy Dean at the University Science Faculty will deliver an address during awards. Among her many qualifications, Prof. Africa has a PhD (Medicine) from the University of London, and an MSc in Dentistry and BSc Hons in Oral Biology from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Prof. Africa is contributing to significant advances in women's health, and believes that research into female diseases has been neglected for many years.
The media are invited as follows:\
SAWiSA 2019 Gala Dinner event
Date: Thursday, 15 August 2019
Venue: The Boardwalk Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Time: 18:00 for 19:00
Business Day TV Media Breakfast
Date: Friday, 16 August 2019
Venue: The Boardwalk Hotel, Port Elizabeth
Time: 07:00 - 08:00
RSVP: Veronica Mohapeloa
Cell: 083 400 5750
E-mail: veronica.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Thabang Setlhare
Cell: 072 659 9690
E-mail: thabang.mohapeloa@dst.gov.za
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
Cell: 066 037 8859
E-mail: Ishmael.Mnisi@dst.gov.za
