Webinar to celebrate women in innovation in SA
Women at the forefront of disruptive innovation in South Africa will be the topic of the final webinar in the South African Women in Science Awards series, taking place on Wednesday, 25 November.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) partnered with the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World, Black Women in Science, and Nka'Thuto EduPropeller to host the webinar series. The DSI currently supports the work of these three organisations, which focus on women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation.
Titled "Women in Innovation", the final webinar will also see the launch of the Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Organisation South Africa (WISETO-SA), which will be unveiled by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela.
The launch is in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Charter on Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, which was signed in 2018 and requires all SADC member states to establish national women in science, engineering and technology (WISET) chapters.
Among the speakers at the webinar will be Prof. Shirley Motaung, a Biomedical Scientist who holds a D.Tech Biomedical Technology from Tshwane University of Technology in conjunction with University of California, Davis, USA and M.Tech degree from Tshwane University of Technology.
She is the Director of Technology Transfer and Innovation at the Durban University of Technology. Her research and innovation focused on the role of medicinal plants in tissue engineering of bone and cartilage. Based on her own scientific exploration into the use of medicinal plants in tissue engineering of bone and cartilage, she founded a company called Global Health Biotech (PTY) Ltd in 2016.
Prof Motaung is an award winner and has received a number of accolades from far and wide because she has thrown the gauntlet in bridging the gap between science and entrepreneurship. As a Professor, research scientist and entrepreneur, she trains her postgraduate students not just on how to do research, and become a scientist, but also on how to become entrepreneurs. By becoming entrepreneurs, they can create jobs for themselves after completing their studies at a time when jobs are scarce, and unemployment is high.
Other speakers will include Prof. Sibusiso Moyo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Engagement at the Durban University of Technology, who will deliver a presentation on the SADC WISET national chapter.
A panel discussion on women in innovation will include several female innovators, such as Nneile Nkholise, whose company develops prosthetics for cancer and trauma patients. The panellists will focus on the innovation ecosystem in South Africa, including social impact and innovation for inclusivity.
Every year since 2003, the DSI has held the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) to recognise the achievements of prominent women scientists and encourage the participation of women in research. The awards are held in August as part of the national Women's Month celebrations.
Given the suspension of big public events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DSI decided to cancel this year's SAWiSA and instead hold webinars to celebrate women's achievements in science and to engage on the challenges that still militate against the participation and success of women in science and research.
The webinar series has featured previous SAWISA award winners, who have talked about where they are now ("ba kae") in their research work, and engaged with topics related to the experiences of women in science, research and innovation.
The media are invited as follows:
Date: 25 November 2020
Time: 14:00-16:00
To attend, please register here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwkcu6upj4iGNbfv25LOi02Q4Im2vnTm8QZ
Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation
For enquiries, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750 or Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690.
