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Academy Act

Academy Act. Act 67 of 2001 Objectives : Scientific thinking for the good of society – common ground across disciplines; innovative science; optimum development of capacity; effective advice; link South Africa internationally. History & Character. Initiated by academicians - all disciplines

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Academy Act

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  1. Academy Act • Act 67 of 2001 • Objectives : Scientific thinking for the good of society – common ground across disciplines; innovative science; optimum development of capacity; effective advice; link South Africa internationally

  2. History & Character • Initiated by academicians - all disciplines • Academy for new South Africa • Launched 1996: Patron (then) President Mandela • Common characteristics: • Self-perpetuating, merit-based, aspirational, quality in scientific endeavour • Multi-disciplinary, consilience • Independent • Advisory relationship with Government

  3. Strategic vision • Solid infrastructure and capacity • Studies of science-based issues • Publish journals: SAJS, Quest • Quality research journals system • Partnership with role players in NSI • Participate in Africa (NEPAD), abroad

  4. National Academies USA • Programme for African national science academy development: South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda • Linked broadly to health-related issues • R9 million over 6 years for ASSAf

  5. Governance: the Councilfrom 1 October 2004 • Prof RM Crewe President • Prof A Chinsamy-Turan Vice-President • Prof JD Jansen Vice-President • Dr P Mjwara General Secretary • Prof V de Klerk Treasurer • Prof SR Benatar • Prof M Hellberg • Prof CT Johnson • Prof B Khotseng • Prof NC Manganyi • Prof LG Nassimbeni • Prof JA Thomson NACI Representative • Prof J Volmink Council plan five meetings in 2005

  6. Membership • Objectives & Outcomes: • Expansion of Membership to provide greater representivity in respect of black people, women, and disciplines that are currently still under-represented (social, human, economic & technological areas) • Key Performance Indicators: • Growth in Membership to achieve at least 50% greater representation of the groups mentioned above, than is presently the case

  7. Membershipcategories

  8. Infrastructure: Human & Physical • Executive Officer • Administrator • 3 Projects Officers • Administrative Assistant and Secretary • Two other employees: SAJS • Offices based in Didacta. Moving to DST • Personnel- & Financial Administration & IT support sub-contracted to NRF

  9. South African Journal of Science • Hundred years of SA Journal of Science 2004 • Only African multidisciplinary journal • Excellence and impact: ISI ranked 14th out of 46 internationally • Electronic publishing • Now includes social, human sciences • Editorial Board

  10. Quest: Science for South Africa • Launch popular science magazine: Quest • Stimulate interest science and careers • Exploit synergy SAJS and others • Distribute Dept of Education, schools • Excellent reception and reaction; agreements • with DST, DoE, SAASTA, etc for use in events • programme, Dinaledi and all other secondary • schools

  11. Programme 3: International Activities (1) • Objectives & Outcomes: • Development of a synergistic interaction with other African and world science academies • Represent South Africa as a respected member of the international community of Science Academies • Enrichment of the science-based policy debate in South Africa • Establish a good “mesh” with the NRF in its international bilateral agency function

  12. International Interaction (1) • Network of African Science Academies • (NASAC): ASSAf founder member, now Vice-President • NASAC seeks relation with NEPAD • The Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS): Chapter in Nairobi; Young Scientist Award • InterAcademy Medical Panel: Prof Mbewu • Bilateral: Russian Academy of Science

  13. International Interaction (2) • InterAcademy Panel (IAP) • ASSAf one of 90 academies • InterAcademy Council (IAC) • Prof Ellis for ASSAf • First major project: S&T capacities • Next projects: Agriculture Africa, Energy, Women in science, Science indicators, Water

  14. Promoting S&T Capacity for the 21st Century • IAC initiated for worldwide capacity • ASSAf did local study: success • Minister received copies 2 Sept 0 • Valuable advice to Government • Joint approach with others: Knowledge Production enhancement

  15. National activities: Awards • ASSAf Science-for-Society Gold Medal • 2004 Recipients: • Prof HM Coovadia • Prof B Warner • Sydney Brenner Fellowship • TWAS Young Scientist Award

  16. National Projects • Academic visitor: Prof Philander lectures • Joint lectures with other academies • Symposium annually • Enhancing research capacity in the Molecular Life and Health Sciences (Ford Foundation project) • New Policy Option: Science-based advice • Must expand capacity for projects • US NAS Programme: a partner academy in Africa

  17. Budget Summary: Income • Parliamentary grant R2,500,000 • Membership fees R 44,000 • Grant NAS USA R1,500,000 • Completion of DST Journal • Project R 700,000 • Total R4,744,000

  18. Budget Summary:Expenditure • Administration, internal R1,436,000 • Management journals R1,278,000 • International activities R 38,000 • National programmes R1,992,000 • Total R4,744,000

  19. Conclusion • Academy made progress: well- positioned • Academy preparing to advise Government: • Science-based advice • Appreciation for: • Understanding of role of Academy • Moral support • Grant-in-aid from DST

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