Official opening of theoretical and computational sciences institute headquarters

The headquarters of the National Institute of Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS) will be officially opened at Stellenbosch University on Wednesday, 10 September 2025.

The Director-General of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Mlungisi Cele, will deliver the keynote address.

NITheCS is a multidisciplinary and multi-themed institute that is working to build human and research capacity in the theoretical and computational sciences, enhancing scientific innovation, transformation and socio-economic development in both South Africa and the rest of the continent. It is funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and managed by the Department's entity, the National Research Foundation.

The opening ceremony is part of a three-day programme running from 9 to 11 September and will include a tour of the facilities.

The rest of the programme features presentations from leading academics and global experts on various research focus areas, a stakeholders' meeting and a three-part machine learning workshop, with a public lecture on the "Quantum Future of Computing" by Microsoft's Prof Matthias Troyer on 10 September 2025.

The event will help to shape the role of computational and quantum sciences in South Africa's research and innovation landscape, strengthening collaboration across disciplines, and supporting South Africa's scientific competitiveness in line with the national research and innovation agenda.

Event details
Date: Wednesday, 10 September 2025
Time: 10:00 to 14:00
Venue: Jan Mouton Learning Centre, De Beer Road, Stellenbosch University Main Campus

For media enquiries and more information, please contact Thandile Nkoyi at 071 610 2167.

Issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation.