Page 52 - Thetha Issue 6

UNIVERSITY NEWS

Putting science in service of society

elson Mandela University has this subject can address development challenges facing
planned two exciting science Africa,” Prof Muronga said.
conferences this Mandela University will also host the seventh
year under the Biennial African School of
Fundamental Physics and Applications
Nbanner of Science “The engagement (ASP 2022) and the third Biennial
for Society, the Faculty strategy calls for African Conference on Fundamental
of Science’s engagement Physics and Applications (ACP 2022),
strategy. the integration from 28 November to 9 December.
of research and The faculty is further involved in
2022 is the 100th anniversary science engagement strategies and
of the Union of Pure and Applied training, learning policies at national, continental and
Physics – of which South Africa was a and teaching, international levels.
co-founder in 2022 – and it is also the The Faculty of Science’s
International Year of Basic Sciences and engagement Engagement and Partnership
for Development, which focuses on and partnerships Portfolio, as well as the Faculty
the links between basic sciences and Engagement Committee, were born
the UN’s Sustainable Development in a meshed and of the faculty’s strategy of Science
Goals (SDGs). sustainable manner.” for Society, signalling the intent and
The first event was the annual commitment to public education and
conference of the South African engagement with science.
Institute of Physics (SAIP 2022) from The engagement
4-8 July with the theme “100 years of Physics in Africa – strategy calls for the integration of research
Past, Present and Future”. and training, learning and teaching,
“These conferences are an honour not only for our and engagement and partnerships in a
institution and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, but also meshed and sustainable manner.
for South Africa as a whole,” said Dean of Science Prof The conference will include a
Azwinndini Muronga. Physics in Industry day that calls
“They are furthermore a tangible expression of on physics graduates to take part.
engaged scholarship, reflecting our commitment to This will provide a platform for
‘Science for Society’.” stimulating knowledge transfer and
This in turn, said Prof Muronga, is aligned with the collaboration between industry and
University’s Vision 2030’s strategic focus areas. Among academic partners.
others, these include the pursuit of impactful, pioneering The Department of Physics
research, innovation and internationalisation to address hosted the SAIP2022
grand societal challenges and promote sustainable futures. conference as an
“SAIP 2022 is an excellent opportunity to participate in online event, while
these international celebrations as we focus on the growth ASP 2022 and
of physics in Africa over the last 100 years and at the ACP 2022 will be hybrid
same time look to the present and future, exploring how conferences. Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science,
Prof Azwinndini Muronga

52 | Thetha Edition 6 | 2022