Today, the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa signed an agreement with the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France, to become a full international scientific partner in this facility along with 18 other countries from the broader European region. This new relationship will facilitate the access of South African scientists to the ESRF research facility, and also the access of European Scientists to South African expertise and research opportunities.
The road to SKA has been a long one but well worth the journey in terms of the value it will provide Africa in terms of technology, research and education. By clicking on the link, you will be able to meet some of the people who made it possible and see the places where it’s all happening.
Doctor Bernie Fanaroff’s nomination to receive a National Order has been accepted by President Jacob Zuma. Dr Fanaroff, who led South Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array, will be awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver in recognition of his contribution to astronomy and dedication in raising South Africa’s international stature as a world-class research destination. Through his efforts, and that of his team, in securing the majority of the SKA project for Africa they have excelled in positioning South Africa internationally as a science destination of note.
Unexpected insights from a fish with a 300-million-year-old fossil record. A major research collaboration which has involved an international team of researchers from 40 institutions from 12 countries has decoded the genome of the African coelacanth: a creature whose evolutionary history is both enigmatic and illuminating.
The palaeosciences fraternity and academia have welcomed the launch of the South African Strategy for the Palaeosciences and the awarding of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the Palaeoosciences of the Department of Science and Technology and the National Research Foundation to the University of the Witwatersrand and its collaborating institutions, namely the University of Cape Town, Iziko Museum in Cape Town, the National Museum in Bloemfontein, the Albany Museum of Rhodes University, and Ditsong Museum in Pretoria. The announcement was made today at an event held at the University of the Witwatersrand's Origins Centre. The occasion also recognised the achievement of Prof. Lee Berger and his team; they had another six articles published in Science, one of the world's most prestigious journals.
Communiqué from the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom MP, following a meeting with representatives of the astronomy community on 12 March 2013.