Astronomy Advisory Council Members Announced

The National Research Foundation (NRF) has announced the names of the members of its inaugural Astronomy Advisory Council which will oversee and advise the NRF’s Astronomy sub-Agency. Working through the Deputy CEO: Astronomy and the Directors of the Astronomy National Facilities, the Council is mandated to provide strategic and technical advice to the NRF on Astronomy matters.

Constituting the Council are:

·                     Prof Renée Kraan-Korteweg (University of Cape Town)

·                     Prof Romeel Davé (University of the Western Cape)

·                     Prof Sergio Colafrancesco (University of Witwatersrand)

·                     Prof Thebe Medupe (North West University)

·                     Prof Kavilan Moodley (University of KwaZulu-Natal)

·                     Prof David Davidson (Stellenbosch University)

·                     Prof Mamokgethi Setati-Phakeng (University of South Africa)

·                     Prof Frikkie van Niekerk (North West University)

·                     Prof Bo Peng (National Astronomical Observatories, China)

·                     Prof George Miley (Leiden University, Netherlands)

In addition, the NRF’s Deputy CEO: Astronomy, the Directors of the Astronomy National Facilities, the Director of the SA-SKA Project and a Department of Science and Technology representative will serve on the Council in ex officio capacities. The terms of the Council members will run from 01 November 2013 until 31 October 2016.

In light of South Africa’s strategic investment and involvement in astronomy, with the country hosting the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), co-hosting the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), and developing the African VLBI Network (AVN), the Council will strengthen the NRF’s ability to manage these initiatives on behalf of the country.

The Council will also carry out its mandate in cooperation with other astronomy-related bodies such as the SA-SKA Steering Committee, the SA Large Telescope (SALT) Board, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy for Development Steering Committee, the JIVE Consortium, etc.

Says Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, NRF CEO, “The Council will assess critically the extent to which the Astronomy sub-Agency carries out its mandate in alignment with national strategic astronomy objectives by ensuring that South Africa derives maximum benefit from its investments in astronomy, and that astronomy in South Africa grows to become truly globally competitive.”

“The Council will also facilitate collaborations across different wavelength regimes in astronomy; provide advice on technical innovations; and monitor transformation and human capacity development as well as engage with the broader astronomy community by holding periodic Astronomy Town Meetings” says Professor Nithaya Chetty, NRF Group Executive: Astronomy.

In marking the inauguration of the Astronomy Advisory Council, Dr Thomas Auf der Heyde, Deputy Director General, Department of Science and Technology said, “the National Research and Development Strategy identifies astronomy as a scientific discipline in which South Africa has a geographic advantage.  This, therefore, warrants that our endeavours in this field are appropriately managed so as to ensure that the country and the scientific community derives maximum benefitandthe Advisory Council will therefore play an important role in this regard. The DST is quite pleased with the calibre of the people who have been appointed to serve on the Advisory Council and we look forward to working with them in our collective pursuit of advancing human knowledge and working towards a knowledge economy”.

End of statement

Issued by the National Research Foundation

For information please contact:

Palesa Mokoena

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ABOUT THE NRF**:**The National Research Foundation (NRF) is an independent statutory body setup in accordance with the National Research Foundation Act. Its mandate is to support and promote research through funding, human resource development and the provision of the necessary research facilities in order to facilitate the creation of knowledge, innovation and development in all fields of science and technology, including indigenous knowledge, and thereby contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans.

For more information on the operations and programmes within the NRF please visit http://www.nrf.ac.za/