NRF-funded emerging researchers attend the 16th HOPE Meeting in Japan

Two South African emerging researchers funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) attended the 16^th Japan HOPE Meeting held as a physical event in Yokohama, Japan from 09 to 13 March 2025. Hosted annually by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) since 2008, the HOPE meetings focus on physics, chemistry and medicine/ physiology.

The attendees were Dr Phakamani Tsilo, a postdoctoral Fellow from the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) and Miss Portia Nkambuleni Ramashia, a Black Academic Advancement Programme (BAAP) grantholder in the PhD Track from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Both gave a joint poster presentation during the meeting, while Miss Ramashia also participated in a flash talk session.

This mobility visit was afforded to the two nominees under NRF’s Global Knowledge Partnerships Programme (GKP) Framework which seeks to create platforms that increase international networking opportunities for a globally engaged cohort of exceptional Doctoral students, postdoctoral research Fellows (PDRFs) and early career researchers (ECRs). Dr Mbulelo Ncango, NRF’s Senior Manager for the Next Generation and Emerging Researchers said “International exposure for Doctoral students, PDRFs and ECRs is an integral component of the NRF’s strategic goal to create an internationally competitive, transformed, and representative researcher cohort. We look forward to more collaborative initiatives with the JSPS”.

The Japan HOPE Meetings bring together researchers from diverse fields to engage in discussions and explore potential collaborations. The collaboration with the Nobel Prize Dialogue Tokyo 2025 further emphasised the importance of a more integrated and collaborative approach.

Though initially nervous about presenting her research work to a global audience which included Nobel Laureates, Ms Ramashia spoke of the value of Science Engagement and engaging one’s science with different publics. “Presenting my work in front of Nobel Laureates was a unique and motivating experience,” she said. “It has instilled in me a drive for excellence and a desire to contribute to the advancement of science and technology in the region. The poster session and flash talk highlighted the importance of communicating research clearly and concisely. This motivates me to refine my presentation skills continuously to ensure that my work is accessible and impactful to a broader audience”.

Speaking of the importance of collaboration amongst scientists, Dr Tsilo noted “Through the team presentations that we had, I was made to realise that in research no man is an island, that is we need each other to be able to achieve greater things for the sustainability of research, collaboration, knowledge exchange, and teamwork. These are essential for meaningful advancements in science”.

Kaneda Momoko of JSPS said “The meeting was attended by six invited Nobel laureates. A hundred young researchers across the globe were able to exchange ideas and opinions intimately with the laureates, and there was a lively exchange of ideas among the participants as well”.