The Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Mr Buti Manamela, will open the 5th South African Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Summer School in Stellenbosch on Monday, 25 November 2019. The five-day programme includes 120 participants from industry and academia, with local and international experts set to address the event.
Funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the South African Nano Schools are designed to equip master's and PhD students with the necessary skills for conducting research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. They complement existing human capital development programmes in the field, and form one of many platforms for the implementation of the 2005 National Nanotechnology Strategy.
South Africa has had considerable success in developing human capital in nanoscience and nanotechnology. According to a review of the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 10-Year Research Plan of 2006, the country produced 418 master's and 398 doctoral graduates over the 10-year period, easily surpassing the targets of 400 master's and 50 PhD graduates set out in the plan.
In addition, almost 5 000 nanotechnology publications were produced, far exceeding the target of 150, while 44 new patents were reported against a target of 10, and three companies were started from the research conducted at various universities.
The 5th Summer School is being run by the Nanoscience Hub at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The hub houses the National Nanoscience Postgraduate Teaching and Training Platform (NNPTTP), which is fully funded by the DSI.
The platform caters for chemistry, biomedical science and physics master's students from the University of Johannesburg, University of the Free State, Nelson Mandela University and UWC. The students undergo nine months of advanced training before returning to their home institutions to complete their master's theses. Of the 231 students who have registered with the NNPTTP to date, 151 have gone on to graduate, and 64% of the graduates are currently working on their PhDs.
The media are invited to the opening as follows:
Date: Monday, 25 November 2019
Venue: Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Time: 09:00 – 11:00
To RSVP and for media enquiries, contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
