2008/9 NSTF Awards Finalists
Finalists for the prestigious NSTF Awards have been selected from a record number of nominations. It is an exceptional honour to be a finalist, given the quality of the nominees and the fact that all of them have made a significantly outstanding contribution to Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) in South Africa, thereby qualifying to be a winner.

The NSTF Awards is the flagship of the largest and most prominent multi-stakeholder representative forum for SETI in South Africa. The NSTF Awards encourage and reward excellence in Scientific Research, Technological Innovation, Education, Capacity Building, and Science Communication. The significance, importance and relevance of the finalists’ contributions should not be discarded as technology innovation, infrastructure creation and research effect economic growth, without which development would be stunted and poverty alleviation remain a dream in South Africa!

It affords the NSTF great pleasure in announcing the finalists in alphabetical order across all categories:

INDIVIDUALS

• Cowan, Donald, Professor: Microbiology, Director: Institute for Microbial Technology and Metagenomics, University of the Western Cape
• Eriksson, Pat G, Professor and Head of Department: Geology, University of Pretoria
• Gelderblom, Wentzel, International Director: PROMEC Unit, South African Medical Research Council & Extraordinary Professor: Department Biochemistry, University of Stellenbosch
• Graaff, Monica, Ms, Editor: Mind Shift Magazine, Cape Town
• Grobler, Louis J, Professor: Department of Mechanical Engineering, North-West University & Director: Energy Cybernetics (Pty) Ltd & Director: CFAM Technologies
• Hartley, Mogamat, Dr, Director: Contract Research, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town
• Horak, Rudi, Ms , Manager: Sci-Enza Science Centre, University of Pretoria
• Jacobs, David, Associate Professor: Department of Zoology & Chair of Animal Evolution and Systematics, University of Cape Town
• Lochner, Amanda, Professor: Department of Biomedical Science, University of Stellenbosch, Division of Medical Physiology, Medical Research Council
• Madhi, Shabir, Professor of Vaccinology, University of the Witwatersrand & Chairperson in Vaccine Preventable Diseases, National Research Foundation & Co-Director: South African Medical Research Council/University of the Witwatersrand Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
• Makinde, Oluwole D, Senior Professor and Chair of Post-Graduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering at Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Maree, J G (Kobus), Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria
• Myburg, Alexander (Zander), Associate Professor, Department of Genetics, University of Pretoria
• Nelwamondo, Fulufhelo V, Dr, Leader in Information Security, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria
• Ntwaeaborwa, Odiereleng M, Dr, Senior Lecturer: Department of Physics, University of the Free State
• O’Connor, Cyril, Professor & Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: University of Cape Town, Director: Centre for Minerals Research, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town
• Pillay, Neville, Professor: School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
• Pillay, Viness, Professor & Research Chair: Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, and Polymer-Engineered Drug Delivery Technologies, Wits Drug Delivery Platform, University of the Witwatersrand
• Pullen, Bob (retired), Senior Specialist in Water Engineering; BKS Group
• Richardson, David, Professor & Deputy-Director: Science Strategy, Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation, Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, University of Stellenbosch
• Rijsdijk, Case (retired), Consultant to South African Astronomical Observatory
• Scholes, Mary, Professor: School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand
• Semete, Boitumela, Dr, Senior Research Scientist, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
• Stein, Dan J, Professor & Head: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cape Town & Director: Unit of Anxiety & Stress Disorders, South African Medical Research Council
• Steyn, Pieter, Professor, Senior Researcher, Department of Chemistry and Polymer Sciences, University of Stellenbosch
• Swart, Hendrik C, Professor & Head of Department Physics, University of the Free State
• Van der Bank, Michelle, Dr, Senior Lecturer, Department of Botany and Plant Technology, University of Johannesburg
• Zaahl, Monique, Dr, Senior Lecturer, Department of Genetics, University of Stellenbosch

RESEARCH FOR INNOVATION BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR A TEAM THROUGH AN ORGANISATION

• Altis Biologics (Pty) Ltd, Drs Nicolaas Duneas and Nuno Pires, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria.
• The Autek Catalysis Team, Mintek/Ashanti, Randburg, Gauteng
• Coaltech, Johannesburg
• Diamond Research Laboratory, Element Six, Ekurhuleni
• Eschberger, Karl A, for Prokon Software Consultants Pty Ltd, Gauteng
• Fablabs Project, Ms Lindi Mophuti, Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy Implementation Unit, Innovation Hub, Pretoria
• The Health Promotion Research & Development Unit, South African Medical Research Council
• Innoventon, Prof Ben Zeelie & Team, Institute of Chemical Technology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth.
• Marang Centre for Science and Mathematics Education, University of the Witwatersrand
• Marti-Diagnosis; Molecular and Cellular Medical Institute
• Prof Jan Verschoor & Team, University of Pretoria
• National Crops Statistics Consortium, Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria
• Plasma Technology Team, Dr Jaco van der Walt & team, The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), Pelindaba
• Power Alert Team of Energy Cybernetics, North-West University
• Rubber Nano Products (Pty) Ltd, Robert Bosch & team, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth
• The South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA), Agricultural Research Council, Pretoria
• Technology Education Catalyst Project, University of Johannesburg
• Umvoto Africa & SA Rock Drills, DAGEOS Team (Deep Artesian Groundwater Exploration for Oudtshoorn Supply), Cape Town
• XeF2 Commercialisation Team, Pelchem, South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), Pelindaba

The number of nominations received is an indication that there is recognition for researchers and their research within the communities of the SETI fraternity across all sectors, levels, gender and race in South Africa. View the summaries of the finalists’ research/work for which they have been nominated.

The Minister of Science and Technology, who will present the Awards, is the official Patron of the NSTF Awards.

FINALISTS will receive certificates during the NSTF Plenary:

Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Time: 09:00 for 09:30 to 16:00
Venue: Gallagher Estate, 18 Richards Drive, Midrand, Gauteng

RSVP before/on 24 April 2009 to Dipulelo Thobane at [email protected] / Tel: (012) 841- 3987

Refreshments and lunch included.

Join us in the magnificent celebration of the winners at the NSTF Awards Gala Banquet on 26 May 2009 at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Gauteng by booking your table NOW!

• Table = R12 000.00 (Ex VAT)
  A table seating 10 guests of your choice with recognition of the organisation on some of the printed material of the event.
• Seat = R1 500.00 (Ex VAT)
  A seat at the Gala Banquet (no publicity benefits included).

A variety of sponsorship packages with excellent benefits are available on request or you can download the pdf version now. Partnerships on the existing categories of the Awards are also welcomed!

Contact us today for YOUR tailor-made sponsorship or booking!

Phone Wilna Eksteen on Tel: 27 (012) 841 3987/4995/2708
Or E-mail: [email protected]

View a pdf version of the Gala Banquet Announcement.

The Future is NOW!

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups of individuals to Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI) and therefore afford an opportunity for recognition and celebration to all practising scientists, engineers and technologists across the system of innovation. The ‘Education Recognition Programme’ of the NSTF hosts certain achievers in Science and Mathematics in the School System at the Awards Gala Dinner, and recognises and rewards them in various ways. Read more about the NSTF Awards.

The NSTF is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SETI (science, engineering, technology and innovation) organizations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF was established in 1995, and has a proud history of involvement with SETI policy issues and the promotion of discussion about SETI matters.

Read more about the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF).

For more information, contact the NSTF Secretariat at:
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.nstf.org.za / nstfawards.org.za
Tel: 27 12 841 3987
Fax: 27 12 841 3025

The Web & Media Technologies (WMT) of the MRC (Medical Research Council) evaluates the use of a convergence of ICT’s to optimize the process of knowledge transfer.

Please forward this eNewsletter to anyone who might be interested.

For more information, contact the NSTF Secretariat at:

E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.nstf.org.za

Tel: +27 12 841 3987 x2708
 
Fax: +27 12 841 3025

Complete the application form to add your name to our database.