SACNASP

1. SACNASP STRATEGIC PLAN and BUDGET 2008

2. Origin The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions was established in 1982 through an Act in Parliament Since its inception, the Act has been amended regularly to accommodate new requirements and also allow for inclusiveness of registration The latest Act is the Natural Scientific Professions Act of 2003 (Act 27 of 2003)

3. Core Function The Council registers individuals as professions natural scientists with the objective to protect the general public and the scientific professions at large against any malpractice

4. Service The Council’s responsibility is the statutory registration of individuals in the following categories: Certificated Natural Scientist (Currently 104) Candidate Natural Scientist (Currently 162) Professional Natural Scientist (Currently 3450)

5. Structure The Council has the following structure: A permanent secretariat consisting of a Registrar, Registration’s Official, Secretary and Debtor’s Clerk The Council The Registration Committee Professional Advisory Committees The Education Committee The Disciplinary & Ethics Committee

6. Mission To establish, direct, sustain and ensure a high level of professionalism and ethical conduct of natural scientists in South Africa that is internationally acceptable and in the broad interest of the public as a whole and of the natural sciences

7. Objectives • To promote the practice of natural science professions in South Africa • To exercise control over the standards of professional conduct of professional natural scientists • To monitor the standards of education and training of natural scientists • To recognise the appropriateness of education and training, which is a pre-requisite for registration in terms of the Act • To become as visible to the natural scientist community the Council serves, by means of appropriate marketing strategies and campaigns

8. Strengths • Pool of professional registered Council members of which many of which function in the academic area • International recognition • Current pool of registered Natural Scientists: 3667 • Positive Annual report as a public document • Post nominal titles as status and professional designation indicator • Low overheads

9. Weaknesses • Lack of a general marketing strategy and programme • Lack of an official newsletter • Lack of commitment from employers of scientists • Lack of visibility of the Council and its activities • Purported lack of benefits to registered persons

10. Opportunities • High number of unregistered scientists • Further development of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2003 (Act 27 of 2003) • Possible financial grant from DST • Serving as an Quality Assurance Agency with the HEQC

11. Threats • Unregistered practitioners • Non-prosecution of transgressors of the Act • Invisibility of the Council and registered Natural Scientists • Underdevelopment of the Secretariat • Non-representation of different natural science fields of practice at Council level • Implementation of Council policies and applications • Non-payment of Council members

12. Appointment of Education Officer • Develop a Job Description for the Education Officer • Motivate to the DST for financial support • Advertise the post • On approval of budget, interview and make appointment Salary: R350 000

13. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer • Develop a Job Description for the CEO • Motivate to the DST for financial support • Advertise the post • On approval of budget, interview and make appointment Salary: R550 000

14. Executing the Act • Organise office activities to deliver more efficiently on the mandate • Increasing professionalism and competence amongst Natural Scientists • Protecting the community against incompetent practitioners • Representing ALL practitioners within the Natural Scientific Profession • Monitor and investigate all queries

15. Policy Improvement • Review all existing policies • Formulate and approve policies and practices for the regulation of the scientific profession in accordance of the Act • Develop and revise codes of conduct and practice • Update the work description that may be performed by registered professional scientists and certified scientists • Influence national policy in relation to scientific professions

16. Improving Registration Practices • Improving the processes of registration of scientists • Revising of registration requirements (qualifications and practical experience requirements) • Standardising of professional competence • Registration of all voluntary associations

17. Office Management • Improving the effectiveness of SACNASP as a Council • Personnel management, including the completion of the conditions of service of the office staff • Financial Management and budget control

18. Executing the Education Mandate • Ensuring the highest quality of training in the Natural Sciences • Evaluating and accrediting academic science programs • Accrediting institutions offering science programs • Establishing a memorandum of understanding with the HEQC of the Council on Higher Education with a view that SACNASP has the status of an ETQA • Increase the involvement of academics in SACNASP

19. Develop and Execute a Marketing Strategy • Making the Council mandate known to the public in general • Develop a communication strategy in order to plan the statutory role of the Council (Website, mailing list etc) • Making the Council activities more visible to all students both at secondary and tertiary institutions • Demonstrate to all members the concrete beneficial advantages of registration • Notification of all appropriate news in Natural Science through newsletters to be issued biannually Cost R100 000

20. Budget Summary

21. Grant Request from DST