Exciting news for science in South Africa (SA) was just announced by the British High Commission and SA Higher education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, regarding a UK investment of R1bn to create a skilled SA cohort of researchers in mutual priority sectors of emerging technology (including artificial intelligence), agriculture technology, health, oceans, climate and energy, and space. [https://www.itweb.co.za/article/r1bn-uk-investment-to-create-skilled-sa-cohort-of-researchers/j5alr7QA4dy7pYQk].
For this reason, a delegation from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - part of United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI) - is currently visiting South African facilities where UKRI has already invested funding, such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and the Modern African Nuclear DEtector LAboratory (MANDELA) at UWC and the University of Zululand (UniZulu).
The STFC delegation together with NRF representatives were welcomed at UWC by Prof Reggie Madjoe, representing Physics & Astronomy, Mr Umesh Bawa, Director of International Relations, ex-DVC Prof Ramesh Bharuthram and current DVC: Research & Innovation, Prof José Frantz. Our guests found a vibrant cohort of students and staff to engage with during lunch.
Umesh Bawa chaired the talks and discussions thereafter, where Stephen Loader, Head of Cross-Cutting and International Programmes at STFC, presented the STFC mission and responsibilities together with guidelines for the new funding opportunities in Africa. His talk was followed with presentations by Profs. Mario Santos (UWC), Sifiso Ntshangase (UniZulu) and Nico Orce (UWC), showing the latest developments at SKA and MANDELA.
The delegation visited MANDELA and the photovoltaic research laboratory of Prof Chris Arendse, who emphasised the fabrication of enhanced solar cells using nanotechnology at the UWC facility.
They also learned about the mandate of MANDELA laboratories at UWC and UniZulu, which involves the support of the GAMKA spectrometer at iThemba LABS, and about underground radiation, health & safety in industrial areas, and high-resolution and cheaper cancer imaging using the properties of quantum entanglement and plastic scintillators.
The vision is to distribute this new technology throughout the African continent, particularly to disadvantaged communities. Thanks were given to many contributing to the enormous effort to build SKA and MANDELA, including MANDELA’s principal investigator in the UK, Prof David Jenkins, the finance department and Physics administrators at UWC and the University of York - with about 1000 financial operations - and, among others, Prof Julie Phillips, who wrote the necessary due diligence protocols between the institutions.
With the accomplishment of major projects such as GAMKA and MANDELA, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and commissioned in 2021 and 2022 respectively, UWC has again proven itself to be a valuable asset for national and international investment.
For this reason, a delegation from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - part of United Kingdom Research & Innovation (UKRI) - is currently visiting South African facilities where UKRI has already invested funding, such as the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) and the Modern African Nuclear DEtector LAboratory (MANDELA) at UWC and the University of Zululand (UniZulu).
The STFC delegation together with NRF representatives were welcomed at UWC by Prof Reggie Madjoe, representing Physics & Astronomy, Mr Umesh Bawa, Director of International Relations, ex-DVC Prof Ramesh Bharuthram and current DVC: Research & Innovation, Prof José Frantz. Our guests found a vibrant cohort of students and staff to engage with during lunch.
Umesh Bawa chaired the talks and discussions thereafter, where Stephen Loader, Head of Cross-Cutting and International Programmes at STFC, presented the STFC mission and responsibilities together with guidelines for the new funding opportunities in Africa. His talk was followed with presentations by Profs. Mario Santos (UWC), Sifiso Ntshangase (UniZulu) and Nico Orce (UWC), showing the latest developments at SKA and MANDELA.
The delegation visited MANDELA and the photovoltaic research laboratory of Prof Chris Arendse, who emphasised the fabrication of enhanced solar cells using nanotechnology at the UWC facility.
They also learned about the mandate of MANDELA laboratories at UWC and UniZulu, which involves the support of the GAMKA spectrometer at iThemba LABS, and about underground radiation, health & safety in industrial areas, and high-resolution and cheaper cancer imaging using the properties of quantum entanglement and plastic scintillators.
The vision is to distribute this new technology throughout the African continent, particularly to disadvantaged communities. Thanks were given to many contributing to the enormous effort to build SKA and MANDELA, including MANDELA’s principal investigator in the UK, Prof David Jenkins, the finance department and Physics administrators at UWC and the University of York - with about 1000 financial operations - and, among others, Prof Julie Phillips, who wrote the necessary due diligence protocols between the institutions.
With the accomplishment of major projects such as GAMKA and MANDELA, developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and commissioned in 2021 and 2022 respectively, UWC has again proven itself to be a valuable asset for national and international investment.
