The Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa is one of the leading
scientific and technology research, development and implementation
organisations in Africa. It undertakes directed research and
development for socio-economic growth.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced the appointment of May Hermanus as the Executive Director of its Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) research unit. Hermanus will assume her new role at the CSIR from 4 June 2013.
The SANReN (South African National Research and Network) competency area at the CSIR Meraka Institute. TENET (Tertiary Research and Education Network of South Africa) and ASAUDIT (Association for South African University Directors of Information Technology) have held a joint workshop to establish a national federated identity management platform for the research and higher education sector in South Africa.
A cutting-edge South African-developed application that detects fires from space will soon help combat Angola's high incidence of wild fire. The technology is called the Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS) and was developed at CSIR Meraka Institute.
The implementation of AFIS in Angola forms part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the CSIR and the National Technology Center of the Angolan Ministry of Science and Technology. It is one of the early initiatives under the auspices of the South African-Angolan science bi-lateral relations put in place by the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) chief scientist, Prof Andrew Forbes, has become the first South African and third African to be inducted into the elite Fellowship Class of the Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics.
Input obtained by supply chain practitioners and universities recently will definitely enhance the final content of the 9th State of LogisticsTM survey to be released in publication format in June. This is the upbeat view of Nadia Viljoen of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). As scientific editor of the publication on South African logistics, Viljoen gave a brief summary of the upcoming publication at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in Johannesburg on 14 March 2013.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has paid out royalties to the Traditional Healers Committee - whose knowledge led to the discovery and commercialisation of a mosquito-repellent candle.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has today joined the 49M energy saving campaign. An impressive list of leading companies has also joined the 49M campaign. 49M is an energy initiative endorsed by government and business partners and supported by ordinary South Africans who have changed the way they use electricity to ensure savings.
Transnet SOC Ltd and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today formalised a historic partnership that will allow Transnet to tap into the CSIR's technological innovation and research capabilities.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will present a series of technology capabilities, ranging from robotics to sensor technologies at the CSIR stand at the premier Mining Indaba Expo taking place at Cape Town's International Convention Centre from 4 to 7 February 2013.
Scientists, government officials, and fire managers will debate the pros and cons of introducing fire abatement programmes to the African continent during a meeting of the Southern African Fire Network (SAFNet) taking place at the Tanzanian Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) in Morogoro from 5 to 7 February.
Scientists may only be able to answer the really interesting questions about biodiversity and human society - such as what fraction of grasslands need to be protected if we are to secure water supplies- if and when they can standardise the observation of changes in biodiversity on a global scale.
Several reclaimed items from the pavilion of the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2012 expo are being put to good use by two Tshwane-based schools for children with special needs. The two schools are the Pretoria School for Cerebral Palsied, Physically and Learning Disabled Learners in Gezina, and the Tshegofatsong Special School in Mamelodi. The AISI is an initiative of the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), hosted and managed by the CSIR.
The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Friday 7 December 2012.
The CSIR has published guidelines for the provision of social facilities in South African settlements. These are for use in the planning and development of social facilities locally in towns, cities and provinces. The guidelines apply to a wide range of facilities across many sectors, including health, education, sports, recreation and the public service.
In September 2012, computer boffins from around the world joined forces to find ways in which to address the widespread unemployment problem. They were participants in the m2work Hackathon, a global programme investigating micro employment opportunities presented by new digital environments. m2work is an initiative run by Nokia and infoDev – a World Bank programme – and supported by organisations across the world.
With October being International Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has warned that people should be more responsible with the information they share on internet, especially on the social networks such as twitter and facebook.
The 12th International Conference on Semi-Solid Processing of Alloys and Composites (S2P) will take place at the Westin in Cape Town, South Africa, from 8 - 11 October 2012.
CSIR and its Saudi Arabian partner, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), have taken the next step in their bi-national initiative to enhance engineering research capabilities in Radar and Electronic Defence by establishing a new research program at the University of Pretoria (UP). This initiative also includes the creation of a bi-national research cluster and several Human Capital Development (HCD) programmes at South African and Saudi Arabian universities.
A partnership between leading international aircraft manufacturer, Airbus; local scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisation, the CSIR; and South African aviation industry leader, Aerosud; aims to dramatically cut aircraft component production costs through new technology dubbed Aeroswift. The partnership will explore the application of titanium powder-based additive layer manufacturing for fabrication of large and complex aerospace components.
Fred Senekal is passionate about making robots 'see and think'. His research is about making them do just that by applying his expertise in computer vision to enhance their intelligence. Computer vision focuses on the theory and technology for building artificial systems that obtain information from images or multi-dimensional data. "When the opportunity presented itself for me to join the CSIR's research group working on mobile intelligent autonomous systems, I was very excited," he recalls. "It was amazing to think that I would be doing research in field robotics - a new area of research in South Africa."
Johannesburg, 16 July 2012 - The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and ICON, Munich/Halle, Germany, have announced that they have entered into an agreement that will allow the CSIR to make use of its plant-based manufacturing platform known as 'magnICON®' for research and development (R&D) and royalty-free manufacturing of rabies vaccines and post-exposure prophylaxis antibodies against rabies for the Sub-Saharan Africa region. There are 48 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, most of which are in dire need of efficient and affordable medicines to control the scourge of rabies. Under the recently signed agreement, ICON will provide the materials, know-how, training, R&D licence, as well as royalty free commercial licence option to the CSIR.
Today, ordinary people can directly benefit from innovative technologies as soon as they are conceived. One such case is that of Karen Hultzer, who is benefiting from the use of laser technology to further improve her archery techniques.
Johannesburg, 23 May 2012 - Amidst change and uncertainty in global economies, a shift is seen towards emerging markets that have been more resilient to the economic downturn than their counterparts in developed countries. South Africa is currently well positioned to shine as a global business partner, with the performance of its logistics sector being a key determinant.
Law students from several African countries are set to square up to another when the Africa Round of the 2012 Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition commences on 17 May 2012. The two-day event on 17 and 18 May 2012 is hosted by the Institute for International and Comparative Law in Africa of the University of Pretoria (UP), in collaboration with the Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) of the Department of Trade and Industry. AISI is managed and hosted by the CSIR.
President Jacob Zuma conferred the Order of Mapungubwe: Bronze, for outstanding contribution in the fields of biochemistry and biophotonics, on Dr Patience Mthunzi from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, the Deputy Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Rejoice Mabudafhasi, and the Executive Mayor of the Amathole District Municipality, Ms Nomasikizi Konza, will launch the Accelerating Sustainable Water Services Delivery project on 30 March 2012 in Mbelu, Eastern Cape.
To mark World Water Day (22 March 2012), East London will see the celebration of two successful pilots involving social franchising partnerships for water and sanitation service delivery. The event is an initiative of the Water Research Commission with funding support from Irish Aid and in partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Education (DoE). The success of the franchising partnership model and approach has already been demonstrated at 400 schools and 250 households in the Eastern Cape.
A group of researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are the first in Africa to establish a groundbreaking biomedical stem cell technology, which could hold the key to finding cures to some of Africa's most significant diseases.
Johannesburg - Nestlé, the world's leading Nutrition, Health and Wellness Company, has announced on 5 March 2012 ground-breaking research partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), a science council which reports to the Minister of Science and Technology.
"The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research has gone from strength to strength, and is still, as it was in the 1950s, the biggest and best-resourced science laboratory complex in the country," said the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, at the inaugural CSIR board meeting in Pretoria, on 17 February 2012.
The CSIR and its industry partners - the Department of Science and Technology (DST), National Research Foundation (NRF), Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) and Aerosud - will launch a multimillion-rand Additive Manufacturing platform.
The Digital Drum, a co-creation by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been cited by the world's largest weekly news magazine, Time Magazine, as one of the top 50 inventions in the world for 2011.
Scientists must make critical contributions to ensure food security and environmental sustainability. They can do so by expanding the understanding of agricultural practices that deliver multiple benefits, such as feeding 9 billion people by 2050 while reducing agriculture¿s environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Cornelius Ruiters has been appointed to the leadership team of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He joined the organisation as Executive Director: CSIR Built Environment on 1 December 2011.
A novel method of sharing South African carbon data with a global audience through the use of social media has been put in place in November 2011 by the CSIR's Internet of Things engineering group. Through automated tweets, @CapePointCarbon is providing easy access to carbon levels sourced from Cape Point Global Atmospheric Watch station.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Nanomedicine research programme, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has been awarded Centre of Excellence in health innovation status by the African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation (ANDI). Based at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ANDI promotes and sustains African-led product research and development innovation through the discovery, development and delivery of affordable new tools.
The CSIR Meraka Institute and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have announced that the Centre for High Performance Computing`s (CHPC) Tsessebe Sun Constellation System has been ranked as one of the world¿s fastest supercomputers, taking 329th place in the international Top 500 list. The ranking was confirmed on Tuesday, 15 November 2011, at the Super Computing Conference in Seattle, USA, where the world¿s high performance computing industry is congregated.
The CSIR Meraka Institute and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) have announced that phase 1 of the South African National Research Network (SANReN) is now complete. This follows the completion and commissioning of the Cape Town metropolitan fibre network, and the completion of 10 Gbps links to each of the SALT and SKA sites.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST), together with the CSIR, recently held two well-attended national workshops on a Biocomposites R&D-led Industrial Development Programme in South Africa. Part of the programme involves the establishment of a Biocomposite Centre of Competence (CoC), with the hub at CSIR MSM's facilities in Port Elizabeth.
Information and communications technology (ICT) is a potent tool for socio economic upliftment in Africa. This is the premise upon which presentations, discussions and debates at the 4th EuroAfrica Cooperation Forum on ICT Research will be based. Some 200 delegates from over 10 African countries and various European destinations will attend the event from 14 to 15 November 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the CSIR Meraka Institute, based in Pretoria, have joined hands to create one of the largest Artificial Intelligence research centres on the continent: the UKZN/CSIR-Meraka Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR). The official launch of the Centre will take place on UKZN¿s Westville campus in the Science & Technology Education Centre (STEC) on November 9 at 12h30.
Cabinet recently renewed the contract of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) CEO Dr Sibusiso Sibisi for a third five-year term with effect from 1 October.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Information Security researchers have developed a structural fingerprint classifier that is able to correctly classify a fingerprint with only partial information.
The vast contribution by Geoff Abbott in the planning, design and management of health facilities in South Africa has won him the coveted annual JD Roberts Award. A research architect at the CSIR, Abbott has furthermore provided valuable guidance in immovable asset management in the public sector for more than 30 years.
The Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angew andten Forschung e. V., Germany, and the CSIR Meraka Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at strategic cooperation to develop and market technical and other solutions. The MOU was signed recently in Berlin by Prof Dr H.J. Grallert. Managing Director: HHI, and Laurens Cloete, acting Executive Director: CSIR Meraka Institute.
Microfluidic and microsystem -based devices are at the forefront of diagnostic development for resource-poor areas. They offer solutions to problems such as lack of electric power, running water, clean laboratories and skilled people. Work on devices to be used at the point of care (POC) in Africa for diagnosing common diseases such as HIV/Aids, TB and malaria, where infrastructure is lacking, will significantly impact on the disease burden currently being faced.
PRETORIA, GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA, June 27, 2011 – CSIR Meraka Institute today announced it has been awarded a grant to participate in the HP Catalyst Initiative, a global social innovation program designed to develop more effective approaches to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The network of educational institutions belonging to the program will use an interdisciplinary approach and emphasize creativity, collaboration and cross-cultural expertise to transform STEM teaching and learning, and to inspire students to use their technical and creative ingenuity to help address immediate social challenges.
Dr Math, a mobile mathematics tutoring programme developed by the CSIR Meraka Institute, received a Technology in Government in Africa (TIGA) award in Dar es Salaam on 27 May 2011. United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in collaboration with the government of Finland, selected Dr Math as a winner in the category 'ICT in Education'.
CSIR researchers compiled a toolkit of good waste management practices at rural, local and urban municipalities to serve as examples to other municipalities struggling with service delivery in this regard.
A centre that displays various sanitation technologies has been launched on the Pretoria campus of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This is the only open-air, permanent display centre, focusing on existing sanitation technologies. It is the only centre of its kind in South Africa and, indeed, on the African continent.
A two-year study of the quality of irrigation water from Loskop Dam and its effect on crop production in the Groblersdal area, funded by the Loskop Irrigation Board (LIB), has shown very low levels of E. coli and no detectable levels of other disease-causing bacteria.
It is estimated that poverty-related diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), chagas disease, HIV/Aids and others kill approximately 14 million people annually. While these diseases reflect a dynamic relationship between poverty, morbidity and mortality, they further perpetuate and deepen impoverishment by sapping personal and national health and financial resources.
Drug discovery and development scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have recently joined the European Union's 7th Framework Programme 'PlantLIBRA' consortium, thus strengthening their capacity in support of product development for plant food supplements. 'PlantLIBRA' stands for Plant Food Supplements: Levels of Intake, Benefit and Risk Assessment.
The Department of Water Affairs has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to make the Vaal Dam the first dam in South Africa to use internet social media to disseminate information via facebook and twitter.
Johannesburg, 8 March 2011 - South Africa’s consistently high total cost of logistics decreased by just 1.2% between 2008 and 2009, from 14.7% to 13.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Within a recessionary context this points to an underperforming logistics sector, according to the 7th State of Logistics™ survey released today by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed an agreement with Afriplex - a well-known South African manufacturer of nutraceutical and healthcare products - to carry out biological evaluation studies on the herbal extracts that may be beneficial in the management of colds and flu; allergies; male pattern baldness; hair loss; and erectile dysfunction. Afriplex - a company based in the Western Cape - offers innovative product solutions and services derived from Africa¿s indigenous plants.
The 2009/10 summer rainfall season saw an unprecedented increase in the number of potholes and associated accidents on national, provincial and metropolitan 'sealed' roads. During the coming summer rains, motorists can expect even more potholes to develop on South Africa's roads, warns the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced today that a cooperation agreement has been signed with Phytopharm, a United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical development and functional food company, for further development and commercialisation of Hoodia gordonii for the management of obesity. In terms of this agreement the commercialisation process will be led by the CSIR in collaboration with national and regional stakeholders, and has the full support of the South African San Council. Phytopharm is committed to support this development effort by sharing supporting intellectual property and the know-how and will share benefit from future commercialisation income.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced today that a cooperation agreement has been signed with Phytopharm, a United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical development and functional food company, for further development and commercialisation of Hoodia gordonii for the management of obesity. In terms of this agreement the commercialisation process will be led by the CSIR in collaboration with national and regional stakeholders, and has the full support of the South African San Council. Phytopharm is committed to support this development effort by sharing supporting intellectual property and the know-how and will share benefit from future commercialisation income.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced that it has exceeded most of its targets and has achieved a solid overall performance for its 2009/10 financial year.
The CSIR Meraka Institute selected a Neotel/Broadband Infraco partnership to install a 10 Gigabit per second network to the South African Large Telescope (SALT) and Square Kilometre Array (SKA) sites in the Northern Cape.
With South Africa now in the grip of veld fires in dry parts where the summer rains have not yet brought relief, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced that its Advanced Fire Information System (AFIS) has been upgraded.
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, October 8, 2010 - CSIR Meraka Institute today announced it has received a grant to participate in HP's Catalyst Initiative, a global social innovation program designed to develop more effective approaches to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education worldwide.
A unique partnership between NASA and agencies in Africa and Europe has sent more than 30 terabytes of free Earth science satellite data to South African researchers to support sustainable development and environmental applications in Africa.
A South African consortium comprising the Meraka Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), The Innovation Hub, Innovation Lab and Ungana-Afrika, has been selected to host the Southern African laboratory of the African Regional Mobile Application Laboratory. This was announced on 8 September 2010 by Dr Tim Kelly, infoDev¿s lead ICT policy specialist, at the AITEC East African ICT Summit in Nairobi. The *iHub consortium, comprising Nairobi¿s iHub, eMobilis, the World Wide Web Foundation and the University of Nairobi School of Computing and Informatics, was announced as the winner to host the East Africa lab.
Every second year since 2006, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) dedicates two days to its 'Science real and relevant' conference to share research progress, breakthroughs and impact in an open forum.
A new technology demonstrator, designed and developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is set to change the game of cricket. Gert Wessels and Matt Vassard, two of the researchers working on the project, envisage Optiplay Cricket becoming a must-have in every coach's arsenal.
Transport infrastructure engineer, Dr James Maina of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the prestigious JD Roberts Award. He is recognised nationally and internationally for outstanding research towards finding solutions for large and detailed problems in his field of expertise. Maina was awarded the 2010 JD Roberts Award at a function held at Murray & Roberts on Tuesday, 20 July 2010.
The twenty-fifth conference on computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (Cad/Cam), robotics and factories of the future has an impressive line-up of international guest speakers and presenters.
Dating a fallen baobab giant from the Pafuri Section of Kruger National Park has led CSIR senior researcher Dr Stephan Woodborne to two surprising discoveries.
The CSIR Synthetic Biology Emerging Research Area, with the support of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), is hosting a practical course entitled Microscopy: from genome scale to the single molecule at the CSIR Knowledge Commons from 31 May to 12 June 2010. The course has received financial support from the national Department of Science and Technology and the French Embassy in Pretoria.
It has now become imperative for communities in the upper and lower catchment of the Olifants River to come together to help with the improvement, conservation and sustainable existence of the Olifants River, says Dr Vik Cogho, Chairperson of the Olifants River Forum.
The South African government commitment to fight against the scourge of AIDS and TB received a massive unprecedented boost with the unveiling of state-of- the- art HIV and TB laboratory facility in Pretoria today.
Paul Nordengen was elected President of the International Forum for Road Transport Technology (IFRTT) at a meeting held in mid-March in Melbourne, Australia. This is the first time someone from the African continent will serve in this position; previous presidents hailed from North America, Europe and Australia.
Dr Phil Paige-Green, engineering geologist and a Fellow at CSIR Built Environment, became the recipient of the ABA Brink Award in March for a paper on aggregate durability. (Also see
SpringerLink)
The popular science magazine Quest is launching an interactive website to make science more accessible and exciting for learners. It will be demonstrated using groundbreaking technology developed at the CSIR Meraka Institute.
(Released jointly by the CSIR and IMPERIAL Logistics, in partnership with Stellenbosch University)
The value that logistics adds to the South African economy, contributing to the country's global competitiveness and sustainability should be greater than the costs. This is according to the 6th State of LogisticsTM survey, the authoritative study on logistics in the country published in March 2010 by the CSIR, IMPERIAL Logistics and Stellenbosch University.
Researchers at the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) have demonstrated a world-first laser cladding system that offers a permanent solution to sealing leaks and repairing cracks at power stations.
Field investigations and hydrological modelling of dryland agriculture in the Berg Rivers catchment are yielding new insight into the origin of salts and the behaviour of a sensitively balanced water system and will form the subject of a workshop to be held at the University of Stellenbosch this week.
Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are one step closer to providing Tuberculosis (TB) sufferers with a once-a-week medicinal regime rather than their current daily doses.
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), with the rest of the world, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the invention of laser, the acronym used for the phenomenon of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
A training course developed by the CSIR Meraka Institute in the design and implementation of wireless mesh networks will be presented at the University of Zululand during the first quarter of 2010. Beneficiaries of this course will be the 2010 intake of learners for wireless mesh networks training, enrolled at the uMgungundlovu Further Education and Training (FET) College in Pietermaritzburg. The initiative is supported by the Department of Communications and the ISETT SETA (Skills Education Training Authorities) training accreditation body.
The Meraka Institute of South Africas CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) has taken the lead in organising the one-day Euro-Africa Cooperation Forum on ICT Research in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This is in collaboration with partners in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) EuroAfrica-ICT EU-funded project. The event takes place on 4 February 2010 at the United Nations Conference Centre.
With the official signing of a collaboration agreement, the CSIR and Cermalab today formalised the work they are doing together at southern Africa's only unbiased high-temperature materials laboratory.
The 2009 national meeting of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) combined with the 5th BELIEF (Bringing European eLectronic e-Infrastructures to Expanding Frontiers) Symposium, takes place from 7 to 9 December 2009 at the Sandton Convention Centre. Some 270 local and international delegates have registered for this event.
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) and CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) have announced that work on the national backbone network of the South African National Research Network (SANReN) has been completed ahead of schedule.
Professor Marlien Herselman of the CSIRs Meraka Institute is the recipient of the 2009 Female Scientist of the Year award by the IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) and IEEE South Africa section committee. Herselman received this award on 21 November 2009 at the University of Pretoria.
CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) laser scientists have made a breakthrough in the design of laser resonators - resulting in a technology that is set to revolutionise the laser industry.
Kentucky BioProcessing has signed an agreement with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop a commercially efficient process for RabiVirTM, the CSIR's award-winning anti-rabies antibody developed in a start-up venture with GreenPharmTM.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), together with the Central University of Technology in the Free State, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, will host the 3rd Robotics and Mechatronics Symposium (ROBMECH 2009) at the CSIR International Convention Centre from 8 to 10 November 2009.
South Africas SumbandilaSAT is now in orbit, and locally, the topic of space technology is one of great fascination. To capitalise on this wave of interest, the Satellite Applications Centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has embarked on a joint space education initiative for learners and educators with three Limpopo-based science centres. Funding for this initiative comes from the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) in Pretoria was the first stop on the Ripples for Good-team's six-month drive through South Africa to raise public awareness around water conservation and safe consumption.
The CSIRs Annual Report for 2008/09 is a record of excellent achievement. Achieving such positive outcomes across all domains is a reflection of a healthy balance that exists between good science and good business at the CSIR, according to the CSIR President and CEO, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi.
Volunteers are needed in the catchment of the heavily polluted upper reaches of the Olifants River to take part in one of the most concentrated projects on a single river in the history of South Africa.
The final pilot of project Lwazi (a Zulu word meaning knowledge or information) takes place on 11 September 2009 at the Thusong Service Centre in Atteridgeville, outside Pretoria. At the heart of this project, which facilitates access for all South Africans to government information and services, lies a winning combination of funding commitment by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and the skills of a group of researchers at the CSIR¿s human language technologies (HLT) research group. The HLT research group is one of the research groups of the CSIR¿s Meraka Institute.
The Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) has launched phase 2 of its operations. The latest addition to its facilities is the Sun Microsystems hybrid supercomputer.
Research statistician Sibusisiwe (Sibu) Khuluse has been awarded the prestigious Mandela Rhodes Harvard South Africa Fellowship. She will further her studies at Harvard for a year from the second half of 2010.
The CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) has awarded the
contract for the installation of the national backbone network of the South
African National Research Network (SANReN) to Telkom. SANReN forms a
crucial part of the national cyberinfrastructure initiative funded by the
Department of Science and Technology (DST). This development concludes the
process of negotiations for the installation of the national backbone,
which was undertaken on behalf of the DST by the CSIR's Meraka Institute.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Brodarski Institute of Croatia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will promote cooperation and good research in explosives.
The development of innovative methods for effective monitoring of harbour and coastal structures is one of the factors that came into play when Dave Phelp of the CSIR was selected as the 2009 recipient of the prestigious JD Roberts Award. These coastal engineering methods play a major role in ensuring the safety and integrity of coastal facilities. The winner was announced at a function held at Murray & Roberts on 16 July 2009.
The CSIR Fibres and Textiles unit in Port Elizabeth recently completed a week-long training course aimed at skills upgrading in the nonwoven textiles industry. Twenty six participants received certificates from the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti)'s director: skills for the economy unit, Dr Julius Nyalunga.
A CSIR study of the ecological status of rivers and wetlands in the Waterberg aims to minimise the potentially adverse consequences of new power stations and mining in the area.
The CSIR in Stellenbosch now boasts its own state-of-the-art no-mix toilets in one of its blocks. These look like regular flush toilets from the outside, but open the lid and it's evident that the purpose is to collect urine and faeces separately.
Urine may contribute up to 80% of the total nitrogen and 50% of the phosphate load in municipal wastewater.
Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are nearing the completion of South Africa's first comprehensive, national study of mercury in the country's water sources. The investigation has taken them to over 70 sampling sites in all 19 of South Africa's water management areas. Preliminary indications are that overall mercury emission is lower than levels that led to South Africa being labelled the second-worst emitter of mercury in the world in an international report in 2006. This assumption was largely based on estimates of total mercury emissions derived primarily from gold mining and coal combustion.
Embargo for publication until 4 May 2009, 16h00 Johannesburg/Harare time $100,000 grants will explore how unique approaches, including the use of tomatoes, cows and magnets, can be used to prevent infectious disease
Highlighting critical change necessary in the local logistics and supply chain industry
The CSIR and Imperial Logistics (a division of Imperial Holdings) launched the fifth annual State of Logistics Survey on 3 April 2009. The bottom-line shows that logistics costs in South Africa for 2007 were R317 billion - 15,9% of GDP - up by 1% from the previous year.
An investment of R 22 million by the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) in a state-of-the-art X-band antenna has bolstered the capacity of its Satellite Applications Centre to track more earth observation satellites and increase its archive of earth observation data.
"Indications are that the next wars will be fought using information warfare and there will be no country excluded from that," says Dr Jackie Phahlamohlaka, manager at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), ahead of the 4th International Conference on Information Warfare, hosted by the CSIR.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and strategic partner Container Corporation of Canada, are pleased to announce the successful completion of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA's) Food Contact Notification process for its patented ENVIROCLEAR Barrier Coating Technology.
Consummate mathematician, Dr Motodi Maserumule, has been appointed Executive Director of the newly-established Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Modelling and Digital Science operating unit.
The practice of innovation for the man on the street by the man on the street is about to take South Africa by storm. This is one of the outcomes envisaged by the Living Labs in Southern Africa (LLiSA) network which was launched in Cape Town at the Devon Valley Hotel at the end of February 2009. The Meraka Institute of the CSIR is responsible for coordinating activities of the network.
Two Executive Directors have been appointed for operating units within the CSIR. They are Hans Ittmann at CSIR Built Environment and Dr Motodi Maserumule at CSIR Modelling and Digital Science.
The world¿s foremost researchers on the hi-tech fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology will convene in Pretoria from 1 to 4 February when they meet at the 3rd Biannual South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) Conference, NanoAfrica2009. The conference, held at the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) International Convention Centre, has drawn 200 participants from twenty countries .
Dr Ndumiso Cingo has been appointed Manager of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Laser Centre. He is Associate Professor of Chemistry at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Cingo has been working on the research and development of spectroscopy-based clinical, medical and environmental sensors, and nanomaterials characterisation techniques for 15 years.
The winner of the first inaugural 2008 SA Bio Plan -Business Plan Competition was announced today (09 Dec 2008) at a prestigious SA Bio Plan awards gala dinner which took place at the CSIR Conference Centre in Pretoria. At the same event, Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena official launched the SA Bio Plan programme. Walking away with the first prize of R100 000 and a possibility of receiving an investment of R15 million, GreenPharm Team (CSIR Biosciences) was announced as the inaugural winner of the SA Bio Plan Business Plan Competition. GreenPharm¿s winning business proposed a technology that will use transgenic plants to generate commercially important rabies vaccines and other complex therapeutic proteins such as HIV antibodies at a competitive price.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has successfully developed a low-cost method of producing antiretrovirals currently employed in HIV/Aids combination therapy strategies.
Pretoria - The CSIR acknowledges that South Africa is facing huge challenges regarding water
quality and management. In this regard, the CSIR has invested significant amounts of resources in
an attempt to ensure that these challenges are addressed. The view of the CSIR is that there is a
need for rigorous analyses of data in order to understand the root causes of problems in water
provision, water quality and water infrastructure.
Real and relevant research addressing a range of topical issues such as safety and security for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, global climate change, HIV/Aids, TB, improved infrastructure, rural access to information and many other critical issues will be discussed and debated at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) conference on 17 and 18 November 2008. "Scientific research must not just be conducted for the development of the science knowledge base but must ensure that this work makes a constructive difference to the upliftment of society,"says Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, President and CEO of the CSIR.
The CSIR's annual report for 2007/08 confirmed the organisation as a significant component of South Africa's research and development (R&D) sector and a key player in the country's national system of innovation (NSI).
The promising and fast-growing field of research and technology for application of advanced robotics and mechatronics is to gain momentum in South Africa with the second robotics and mechatronics symposium, which will be held on 11 November 2008.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR) is hosting its 2nd Biennial Conference, themed 'Science Real and Relevant', which will focus on critical issues confronting South Africa and its economy in the years ahead.
The release in October 2008 of the latest version of the National Accessibility Portal (NAP) presents a significant step forward in the drive to integrate persons with disabilities into the mainstream economy and society through the use of information and communications technology (ICT).
The International Oeko-Tex® Association, a grouping of 14 well-known textile research and test institutes in Europe and Japan, with representative offices in over 40 countries worldwide, will be meeting in South Africa for the first time. The annual General Managers meeting of the Association will be held in Cape Town from 27 October 2008.
The launch of the Blue Gene for Africa (BG4A) initiative at the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) in Cape Town on 7 October 2008 marks a significant milestone in South Africa's expanding cyberinfrastructure.
South Africa's ICT community to benefit from partnership
First call for proposals due from South Africa - Finland Knowledge Partnership on ICT programme
SAFIPA (the South Africa - Finland Knowledge Partnership on ICT) has announced its first call for proposals. SAFIPA is a partnership programme between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for Finland (MFA) and South Africa's Department of Science and Technology (DST), and operates within the Meraka Institute of the CSIR.
The second South African International Aerospace Symposium (SAIAS) was opened by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom, at Spier Conference Centre in Stellenbosch this morning.
Scientists from South Africa and 11 other SADC countries will be putting their heads together next week to come up with ways to curb the expansion of deserts.
South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today received approval from the South African government to undertake greenhouse trials on genetically modified sorghum.
An Appeal Board set aside an earlier ruling by the regulating authority, the Executive Council of Genetically Modified Organisms, denying the CSIR a permit to undertake contained greenhouse trials on transformed sorghum. The Board was appointed by the Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Ms Lulu Xingwana, in accordance with the country's Genetically Modified Organisms Act (No 15 of 1997).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is hosting its prestigious second biennial conference on 17 and 18 November 2008. Its scientists, engineers and technologists will present exciting research outputs set to impact positively on society and the economy. The conference themed `Science: real and relevant¿ will take place in the spirit of sharing such research. The aim is to foster industrial and scientific development and thereby improve the quality of life of South Africans. This lies at the heart of the CSIR's mandate.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will put its research and technological development prowess in the area of defence, space technologies and related manufacturing and information communications technologies on display at this year¿s Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) show. The event is held at the Air Force Base Ysterplaat in Cape Town, from 17 - 21 September.
AAD is Africa's largest aerospace, defence and security exhibition and it features three trade days and two public days.
Many have dubbed this the 'century of the photon' and in keeping with South Africa's commitment to science and technology, a photonics initiative - supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) - has been established. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Laser Centre and the Laser Research Institute at Stellenbosch University are currently driving the project, titled the South African Photonics Initiative (PISA). It ultimately aims to stimulate multidisciplinary research, human capital development (HCD), as well as create economic benefits for South Africa via photonics. Interim CSIR Group Executive: R&D, Dr Thulani Dlamini, is leading the CSIR's involvement in the initiative.
A new book which explores sustainability science from a developing world perspective was launched at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) today. This book is the product of research collaboration between the CSIR and several other South African and international research institutions. Edited by CSIR principal scientist, Dr Mike Burns and CSIR Research Fellow, Dr Alex Weaver, the book proposes a framework for ongoing sustainability science research within the region.
Dr Liesbeth Botha joined the CSIR on 1 August 2008 as Executive Director: CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing.
She qualified as an electronics engineer in 1983. For her PhD studies at Carnegie Mellon University in the USA she developed an optical computer utilising holograms and lasers.
Dr Phil Paige-Green, an acclaimed engineering geologist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been named winner of the 2008 JD Roberts Award. The award was handed to him at a function held in Pretoria on Tuesday 22 July 2008. He received the award for outstanding research and innovation, with an international flavour, in the transport infrastructure field. His research has resulted in the application of products, improved materials usage and specifications for sustainable road construction, which have had a great social impact.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Imperial Logistics announced the release of the fourth State of Logistics Survey recently (23 July 2008). Putting the spotlight on domestic logistics and transportation in relation to international trade, the CSIR reports positive logistics growth for the southern African region and highlights the challenges we face in order to increase our global competitiveness.
A consortium comprising the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Durban-based internet service provider East Coast Access (ECA) has received a three-year R14,5 m investment by the Innovation Fund of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
Wireless Africa, a unique pan-African initiative led by the Meraka Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has named three reference sites (in Nigeria, Ghana and Uganda) to lead the first phase of the project in setting up and studying community-owned information networks to benefit poor and rural Africans.
How to manage connections among developing communities will be the overall theme of an international operational research conference to be held in Sandton on 13-18 July 2008. Hans Ittmann of South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and chairperson of the local organising committee, says, "It is the first time that this conference, which is held every three years, will be hosted on the African continent since it inception in 1959. This is a strong vote of confidence in the local operations research community and especially in the Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA)".
The CSIR has developed a novel injectable suspension to expand tissue and induce tissue regeneration. This suspension has potential application in several areas of soft tissue augmentation, with the first targeted application being gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The promising and fast-growing field of research and technology for application of advanced robotics and mechatronics is to gain momentum in South Africa with the second robotics and mechatronics symposium, which will be held on 10 November 2008.
The third NanoAfrica conference will be held on 1 - 4 February 2009 in Pretoria, Gauteng. Two conferences were hosted successfully in 2004 and 2006, respectively, in Cape Town, South Africa.
Optronics researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) are developing a new educational telescope prototype kit, which is aimed at stimulating learners' interest in space science, engineering and technology (SET). This follows a one-year contract between the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the CSIR.
Researchers at the Meraka Institute of the CSIR have released a spelling game for all 11 official South African languages. The game, OpenSpell, can be localised for additional languages.
Creating opportunities for the development of science and technology (S&T) cooperation between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa in the field of information and communications technology (ICT) is the goal of the 8th EuroAfrica-ICT (START) Awareness Workshop. This workshop is above all intended to support the efforts of the community of the European and sub-Saharan African organisations (companies, research institutes, universities, etc.) involved or interested in the development of joint ICT research and development (R&D) projects.
CSIR principal researcher Dr Hulda Swai has been elected to an international committee of prominent African scientists and professionals that advises on three main poverty-related diseases: HIV/Aids, malaria and tuberculosis.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) implementation unit of a Cabinet-approved national strategy of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is showcasing projects undertaken in its first three years since inception at a project symposium on 21 and 22 April in Pretoria.
The South African National Research Network (SANReN) has reached a significant milestone when the first four research infrastructure sites went live in Johannesburg on Monday, 31 March 2008. This is a major step forward in the creation of an information and communications technology platform for South African research.
The late King Mayisha III of the Ndzundza Ndebele people in Mpumalanga together with his subject, Dr Jackie Phahlamohlaka, showed the world that tradition and science do mix as proved by a newly published book. Phahlamohlaka, a systems modelling expert at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), is the lead editor and co-author of the book.
Issued by Advanced Chemistry Department Inc (ACD/Labs)
Toronto, ON, Canada (February 13, 2008)-The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in South Africa carries out research into drug and therapeutic discovery, the development of green technologies, and plant biotechnology using structure elucidation as an integral tool in characterizing compounds derived from indigenous resources or green processes.
Airbus, the world¿s leading commercial aircraft manufacturer, has joined forces with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to conduct research into new technologies and processes in the area of computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Respected crime prevention expert Barbara Holtmann has been elected vice president of the International Centre for Prevention of Crime (ICPC) that is based in Montreal, Canada..
A team of scientists from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of Cape Town (UCT) is departing on a Southern Ocean research cruise aboard the French vessel Marion Dufresne on 9 February 2008. Dr Pedro Monteiro of the CSIRs Ocean Systems and Climate research group will lead the South African team, who will join some 60 international scientists, departing from Cape Town.
Cost-effective access to digital data that result from publicly-funded research is one of the topics to be highlighted at an international conference in February 2008. The first African digital curation conference will be held in Pretoria on 12-13 February.
Joel Ramatlhape (41) has been appointed chief information officer (CIO) at the CSIR. Before joining the CSIR, he was CIO at the Government Employees Pension Fund, information and knowledge management analyst at the National Prosecuting Authority and part-time lecturer at the Wits Graduate School of Public and Development Management.
An international conference on fibre-reinforced composites will be held from 9 to 12 December this year in Port Elizabeth. Jointly organised by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) of the Department of Science and Technology, the conference is aimed at providing an international forum for various classes of composite materials and structures.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), in partnership with the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS), has launched a state-of-art micro-manufacturing laboratory, which is the first platform dedicated to this technology area in South Africa.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been appointed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to establish a Hydrogen Centre of Competence (CoC) to focus on hydrogen production, storage, delivery and distribution. The CoC will be established jointly with the North-West University (NWU).
Paul Nordengen, an expert in infrastructure management systems at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been elected president of the South African Roads Federation (SARF) for 2008 and 2009. Nordengen has been closely involved with the SARF for many years - he represented the CSIR on the SARF Education Committee and Council for the past 17 years and chaired that committee for the past 11 years. He served as SARF vice-president in 2005 and 2006 and as deputy president in 2007. Nordengen was also honoured by the SARF in November 2005 for outstanding service to the federation.
Dr Igle Gledhill, a physicist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been elected to the Council of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP).
The strategic role of water in alleviating the human tragedy associated with HIV/Aids and poverty in southern Africa will be in the spotlight in Pretoria on 26-29 November 2007. An international workshop on this topic will be co-hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Chris Sturdy (33) and Raynold Zondo (39) have been appointed to the Executive of the CSIR in the positions of Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director: Services, respectively.
The CSIR will co-host the first symposium for Advanced Robotics and Mechatronics which takes place on 12 November 2007 at the CSIR International Convention Centre. Engineering faculties from universities in South Africa will have an opportunity to present and share their work at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The symposium will be open to all industries, academia and members of the public.
The President and CEO of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, today (9 October 2007) presents the CSIR's Annual Report 2006/2007 to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology in Cape Town. The Annual Report was tabled in Parliament recently by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena.
The elephant population density - the number of elephants per square kilometre of current elephant range - has risen to such an extent in some southern African countries that concern has been expressed about impacts that this is having on the landscape, the viability of other species, and the livelihoods and safety of affected people. Others contest these points.
A new digital mapping and geographic analysis platform (GAP), developed by the CSIR, The Presidency and the Department of Trade and Industry (dti), is enabling researchers and decision-makers to estimate the spatial distribution of economic activity in South Africa in greater detail than ever before. An analysis of GAP statistics, together with variables such as population, relative geographic position and land capability, indicates that 45% of the country's territory is sustaining only a very marginal level of human activity.
The Baltic Sea region has adopted a new approach to sustainable development, based on ideas generated by South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
There is indeed a need to review the conventional approaches to water resource management. This was the outcome of discussions held during the World Water Week, held in Stockholm at the moment. This annual event is the foremost water conference attracting ministers, senior officials and leading researchers from developed and developing countries and international development organisations. South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) hosted a seminar at the event and presented its new research framework on water resource governance.
Water and sanitation, environment, development and related issues such as climate change will be discussed at the 2007 World Water Week in Stockholm when leading international experts will gather in the Swedish capital this August to highlight concrete work that takes cognisance of he poor, the environment and our common future.
The first FabLab in the Northern Cape will be launched by the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Derek Hanekom, in Kimberly on 6 August 2007. The launch of this sixth FabLab marks a further realisation of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) goal of providing science, engineering and technology (SET) platforms for social development, while benefiting private sector competitiveness and growth.
South Africa's fast-growing economy and the resultant increase in freight movement and traffic volumes are placing huge pressure on the country's already strained logistics infrastructure. The third annual State of Logistics survey, authored by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Stellenbosch University, and sponsored by Transnet and the CSIR, highlights the challenges of implementing logistics strategies in a developing economy.
The fifth FabLab in South Africa will be launched by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena, in Potchefstroom on 2 August 2007. The launch of the FabLab marks a further realisation of the Department of Science and Technology's (DST) goal of providing science, engineering and technology platforms for social development, while benefiting private sector competitiveness and growth.
In his State of the Nation address, President Thabo Mbeki announced the target of universal access to electricity for all South Africans by 2012. Unfortunately, some 3,4 million households in South Africa are still not connected to the electricity grid, according to Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica. Speaking at the French-South African conference on energy in Cape Town earlier this year, she said: "A challenge to the Department of Minerals and Energy is the integration of alternative energy carriers into rural electrification, where there is little or no bulk infrastructure. In some areas the topography is such that it is difficult to even get the same bulk infrastructure to those areas."
Dr Sidney Parsons, a senior researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was named the winner of the 2007 JD Roberts Award at a function held in Pretoria last night. The award was made to Parsons in recognition of his groundbreaking research into the crucial role of architectural engineering processes in improving the design of healthcare facilities, particularly to prevent the spread of airborne diseases such as tuberculosis (TB).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is participating in an international research consortium aimed at enabling people in rural areas to participate fully in the research and technology development (RTD) activities that potentially affect their lives. Funded by the European Union's (EU) Framework Programme 6 (FP6), the consortium comprises 30 partners from 15 countries. Researchers from CSIR Built Environment and the Meraka Institute, a national research centre managed by the CSIR, are involved in the project.
A European Union (EU) initiative aimed at increasing road transport research cooperation between Europe and the emerging markets of Brazil, China, India, and South Africa continues to gain momentum with a two-day meeting of key partners and stakeholders kicking off in Pretoria today. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is coordinating the activities of the project, code-named SIMBA, in the South African region.
The building and construction sector is a significant consumer of raw and natural materials, while also contributing to the emission of global warming gases. In line with strategies proposed in Agenda 21 - a United Nations programme in support of sustainable development - the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is investigating the application of natural fibre composites (NFCs) in construction, with the aim of producing construction materials that are less harmful, recyclable and made mainly from renewable materials.
South African researchers now have the advantage of using massive computing power in their quest for new knowledge and application. The Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) is the first of its kind in South Africa. Initiated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), hosted by the University of Cape Town (UCT) and managed by the Meraka Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the CHPC is making scientific 'supercomputing' a reality for South Africa.
Dr Mike Burns of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been appointed a Harvard University Fellow. The appointment is based on one of his recent research proposals, which calls for the production of a multi-authored reference book on the advancement of sustainability science in southern Africa. The CSIR adopted sustainability science as a research theme in 2005.
The Meraka Institute - Africa’s advanced institute for information and communication technology - has been awarded the rights to host the second Africa office of the world’s biggest ICT standardisation body, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), in Africa. The office will be officially launched in South Africa on 14 May 2007. The Meraka Institute is a national research centre managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.
The reality of South Africa’s first 2.5 m natural colour seamless mosaic dataset came one step closer at the launch of the SPOT 5 satellite direct acquisition availability programme by Mr Derek Hanekom, the Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, on 20 April 2007 at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre.
When the Meraka INNOVATE Conference got underway in Pretoria on Wednesday 18 April 2007, some 150 educators from all over South Africa had the opportunity to share knowledge, experience, lessons learnt and good practice from each other for the following three days. The conference takes place on 18-20 April 2007.
The Meraka Institute has been appointed as the new South African Master Affiliate of the Linux Professional Institute (LPI), taking over from the Shuttleworth Foundation. The Meraka Institute (a national research centre managed by the CSIR) concluded a Master Affiliate agreement with the LPI's head office in Canada at the end of February 2007 and will be facilitating the LPI certification and examination activities in South Africa in future.
With the launch of the handbook, Governance as a Trialogue: Government-Society-Science in Transition, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) shares with the world how trends leading to a worsening global water crisis can be reversed through good water governance. The book, published by Springer-Verlag and IWM, was launched by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Lindiwe Hendricks, at a cocktail function held at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on 22 March 2007 - World Water Day.
You are cordially invited to the launch of the new CSIR book, Governance as a Trialogue: Government-Society-Science in Transition, which addresses how trends leading to a worsening global water crisis can be reversed through good water governance. The book, published by Springer-Verlag and IWM, will be launched by the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Ms Lindiwe Hendricks, at Gallagher Estate, Midrand, on 22 March 2007 - World Water Day.
A unique lighting design competition, which encouraged innovative use of technology to showcase local design talent, drew to a close last night when three young designers were named winners of the national Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) FabLabs Lighting Competition. The AMTS FabLabs is a joint initiative with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and is supported by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
A new technology demonstrator has been developed that allows people to access satellite information on severe storms through their cell phones. The technology demonstrator - or Personal Digital Assistance Animated Weather System (PAW) - provides near real time information on clouds, rainfall, wind and fires.
The African Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project, an international research collaboration aimed at improving the nutritional value of sorghum, will continue to engage with the South African government in efforts to proceed with contained greenhouse trials on sorghum with improved nutritional value. This according to local research partner, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Amidst debates on whether or not to allow the use of cell phones in schools, the Meraka Institute has put its expertise in information and communications technology (ICT) to work in an effort to use these devices positively in a teaching and learning environment.
Ms Kagiso Chikane has been appointed centre manager of the Meraka Institute with effect from 1 January 2007. The Meraka Institute (a national research centre managed by the CSIR) was launched in 2005 in response to President Thabo Mbeki’s vision of an African Advanced Institute for Information and Communications Technology.
Towards the end of 2006, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) adopted the open document format (ODF) in support of access to information and as an enabler of the adoption of open source software (OSS). In terms of the adoption of the standard, CSIR word processor, spreadsheet and presentation files will be in ODF, wherever possible.
A seat on the board of the International Water Resource Association (IWRA) concludes a year during which the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) played an active role in critical global water issues.
A European Union (EU) initiative aimed at increasing road transport research cooperation between Europe and the emerging markets of Brazil, China, India, and South Africa is gaining momentum with a regional priority workshop for South Africa kicking off in Stellenbosch today. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is coordinating the activities of the project, code-named SIMBA, in the South African region.
Resident expertise within the CSIR on turbine technology has led to the organisation's inclusion in the European Union Framework 6 (FP6) project entitled VITAL (EnVIronmenTALly Friendly Aero Engine). French Aerospace company Snecma is the lead partner in the VITAL consortium of 53 partners.
Thirty-two technical specialists convene on Thursday and Friday (7 & 8 December 2006) to present their defence-related research projects to members of the defence community at the Institute for Maritime Technology in Simon's Town.
The South African Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) has concluded a R10 million contract with IBM, which will provide the technology to power the country¿s pioneering high performance computing (HPC) system for scientific research.
The National Accessibility Portal (NAP) - a partnership aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities - held a business breakfast on 24 November 2006 at the CSIR in Pretoria to celebrate and showcase key milestones in its research and development initiatives over the past three years. Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the Office of The Presidency was the guest of honour at the event, where he also delivered the keynote address. Other dignitaries at the event were Dr Sahim Khothu, Director-General of the Department of Health; Ms Petronella Linders, Chief Director: Disability Unit of the Department of Communications and Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, President & CEO of the CSIR.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will represent South Africa in an international, multi-partner project, aiming to demonstrate that solar disinfection (SODIS) of drinking water is an effective, appropriate and acceptable intervention against waterborne diseases. The project has recently been awarded a €1.9 million research grant from the European Union (EU). Those who stand to benefit from this project include vulnerable communities in developing countries who normally do not have a reliable, safe water supply, as well as those communities who might find themselves exposed to natural or man-made disasters.
Water is essential to all aspects of life, yet 99% of the water on earth is unsafe or unavailable to drink. Some 1,2 billion people globally lack safe water to consume and 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. Its estimated that 9 500 children die world-wide every day from water-related diseases and a lack of clean drinking water. Water is an economic issue as it is essential for poverty reduction, agriculture, food and energy production.
An assessment conducted by a Global Research Alliance (GRA) consortium for the World Bank's Global Environment Facility (GEF) Program has resulted in a number of key recommendations to support the implementation of large-scale solar thermal electricity generation projects in developing countries. The consortium comprised South Africa¿s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the CSIRO in Australia and the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany.
Innovation by the Human Language Technologies (HLT) research group at the Meraka Institute continues to contribute to the betterment of all South Africans - this time through the newly developed DictionaryMaker. -The Institute is a national research centre managed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Twelve Grade 10 learners from St Mary's Diocesan School for Girls have clearly demonstrated that there are no wrong solutions, and that given the freedom to experiment in a high-tech environment, learners can be highly creative and innovative.
With this week being National Marine Week (16 - 20 October) the spotlight falls on the role science is playing in preserving and protecting our marine environment. Here’s a look at the research the CSIR is doing around the sea in Mozambique to curb cholera.
South Africa, Namibia and Angola need to consider additional environmental management and monitoring actions to better understand and mitigate the effects of discharged sediments resulting from near-shore and coastal diamond mining. This advice is contained in a report, compiled under the leadership of the CSIR, on the cumulative effect of discharges resulting from such mining activities in a defined area in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) region.
Oceans of Hope - Nations working together for the protection of our marine environment; Before it was decided that this will be the theme for the 2006 National Marine Week, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other South African role players had already partnered with neighbouring Namibia and Angola to bring a coordinated management process and protection to the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) area. This initiative is funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the governments of the three countries.
With this week (16 - 20 October) being National Marine Week, CSIR coastal and marine pollution researcher, Tim McClurg, takes a look at the health our oceans and their sustainability.
The CSIR and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), recently signed off on project deliverables for the development of a resource directed management of water quality (RDMWQ) series. The series provides policy, strategy and management instruments to facilitate the management of water quality from a water resource perspective.
CSIR to improve cereal crops without using foreign genes
A research consortium led by South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has received a substantial international grant to explore an advanced method of nutritionally enhancing two of Africa’s major staple food crops without introducing any foreign genes to these plants.
An appropriate structure and environment where researchers can flourish and grow into the future generation of innovators - that is what the CSIR is creating. This observation is made by outgoing CSIR Board Chairperson, Roger Jardine, in the CSIR's 2005/6 annual report that has been tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena. Jardine continues to express particular interest in the impact of the organisation's young researchers establishment fund aimed at assisting young researchers in following their own research ideas, developing their own areas of expertise and building their reputations as credible researchers.
The CSIR Satellite Application Centre continues to wow the international space community following its recent successful support of the Koreasat 5 satellite launched on 22 August 2006.
The CSIR was contracted by the National Ports Authority (NPA) in 1999 to conduct an environmental impact assessment (EIA). This was in preparation of an application by the NPA to expand the container terminal stacking area at the Port of Cape Town. In terms of legislation, EIAs are required to be conducted prior to development projects
Operationalising Benefit-Sharing: the South African Experience; this is the title of a paper that was presented by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the World Water Week, held in Stockholm, Sweden from 20-26 August 2006.
“Education and Localisation” was the theme of the West Africa Developer Roadshow that took place in Ghana on 8-13 August 2006. South Africa's Meraka Institute and the Advanced Information Technology Institute of Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE) held the five-day roadshow at the University of Education in Winneba.
Mac Mashiri, a researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was named the winner of the 2006 JD Roberts Award at a function held at the Murray & Roberts Corporate Office in Johannesburg on 2 August 2006. Mashiri received the award in recognition of his groundbreaking research in the field of rural infrastructure and development, conducted over a number of years
Khungeka Njobe (36) has been appointed as Group Executive of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Her portfolio includes research and development outcomes and strategic human capital development. Her appointment follows the departure of Dr Phil Mjwara from the organisation to take up the position of Director-General at the Department of Science and Technology.
Convergence of technologies, from biotechnology to information and communications technology, will be the focus of a multi-disciplinary international symposium co-hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) next week.
The Kids Club project, which is being piloted by the Meraka Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria, gives children the opportunity to experiment with science and technology in a fun, relaxed atmosphere with none of the constraints and pressure to perform found in traditional classroom teaching. Merryl Ford of the ICT (information and communications technology) for Education Group within the Meraka Institute says, "Our extra-curricular activities let the children give free reign to their creativity and imagination. They know no boundaries or limitations, and apply innovative and imaginative ways in their technology design projects.
The South African public will see a world first on television when the SABC becomes the first public broadcaster to televise active fire maps as part of its weather reports on Tuesday, 6 June 2006 at 17:30. The fire map, developed jointly by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and power utility Eskom Holdings, will show active fires throughout South Africa as detected by satellites over the preceding 12 hours.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) has been dubbed the `Detroit of South Africa' by some because of the key role it plays in the car-manufacturing and vehicle assembling industry. A new research initiative involving the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU), is set to ensure that the city further enhances its capabilities in this domain. The Metro has now launched the first project within this research initiative to address the longer term needs of its automotive industry.
Metrology, the science and technology of accurate measurement, plays a vital role behind the scenes of medical diagnosis and treatment. Measurements of one kind or another are indispensable to modern health care. Measurements as straightforward as body mass or blood pressure, or as complex as detecting drugs in blood or urine or calibrating the parameters of X-ray and CAT scanners, play a critical role in diagnosing disease and monitoring the success of treatments.
Free/libre and open source (FLOSS) activities in Soweto will receive a boost with the launch of an office focusing on FLOSS and its applications by the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Mosibudi Mangena. The Meraka Institute, managed by the CSIR, has set up an office at the NICRO Community Centre in Soweto to support and grow current FLOSS activities as well as other information and communications technology (ICT) endeavours.
The Nerve Centre of the Global Research Alliance (GRA), previously hosted by the CSIR, has relocated to The Innovation Hub. This first internationally accredited Science Park in Africa, situated across the road from the CSIR, is home to a regional centre of innovation and knowledge creation.
On 3 April 2006 a one-day seminar will be held on the applications, relevance and future for Africa of earth observation data from MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-Radiometer) and the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Preparatory Project (NPP). The event, which will take place at the Auditorium of the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Pretoria Botanical Gardens), is being organised by the Meraka Institute (a national research centre managed by the CSIR), the University of Johannesburg, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the National Oceanics and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with sponsorship by Eskom and the Department of Science and Technology.
Earth observation and remote sensing technologies skills will be strengthened nationally with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by South Africa and Flanders in March 2006. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Flemish VITO made a mutual commitment to cooperate across international boundaries in areas of common concern.
South Africans will be able to view the total solar eclipse in Ghana on 29 March 2006 via the internet. Two experts from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will record and broadcast this rare phenomenon via a web cam in collaboration with scientists from Ghana.
Intellectual property and patents are high on the agenda for improving South Africa's competitiveness. A number of researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have earned due recognition for their innovative ideas that have been registered as South African patents. The Innovation Fund, a unit of the Department of Science and Technology that is managed by the National Research Foundation, has announced that these CSIR researchers will benefit from its Patent Incentive Fund.
Accurate forecasting of results and analysis of voting trends by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) contributed significantly to a raised level of discussion among political commentators during last week's local government elections.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has announced that an agreement was reached in principle whereby Herley Industries, USA, will acquire Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) technology from the CSIR. Herley Industries will use this technology to manufacture DRFMs in the USA and internationally.
Current science and technology strengths, as well as the use of these in meeting national needs and priorities, will be showcased at the first research and innovation conference of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 27-28 February 2006. The CSIR conference has been scheduled to coincide with the implementation of the organisation's new focus, structure and activities.
The CSIR and Syngenta SA (Pty) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 3 February, committing to the objective of uplifting and shaping the agribusiness future of South Africa through innovative research and technology.
Space science expertise in South Africa and France will receive a boost following a skills development agreement between the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Alcatel Alenia Space France.
While holidaymakers and law enforcement agencies countrywide are gearing up for the festive season, the CSIR is demonstrating that modern technology is key to contributing to the well-being of South Africans on the roads.
The importance of logistics and supply chain management for the South African economy is re-emphasised by the launch of the second annual State of Logistics survey of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on 30 November 2005. The biggest logistics cost driver in South Africa is still transportation costs, increasing by 11% (or R13 billion) compared to last year's results.
The implementation of the first regional Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS), tailored to the needs of local industry and a unique provincial environment, will be launched in the Western Cape on 24 November 2005 .
A research and development (R&D) consortium under the leadership of the CSIR announced today that it has successfully developed a new pasteurisation system that greatly reduces the risk of Salmonella enteritidis infections acquired from eggs. This has led to the first sales of pasteurised, whole shell eggs in South Africa. Preliminary laboratory data indicate that the pasteurisation system may also be effective against the virus that causes Avian influenza.
When the second phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) commences in Tunis, Tunisia, on 14 November 2005, South Africa's Meraka Institute will be among the participants. As the CSIR's national research centre dedicated to information and communications technology (ICT), the Meraka Institute will be part of the Department of Communication's delegation on the ICT4All exhibition - the major parallel, multi-stakeholder event of the WSIS.
The Tshwane Consensus on Science and Development emerged during a symposium that was hosted by the CSIR recently. Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, CSIR President and CEO, invited leaders in science and technology to this symposium that formed part of initiatives marking the CSIR's 60th anniversary this year. The leaders who attended the symposium hail from science institutions, higher education and industry from Brazil, India, Italy, South Africa and the USA. The Innovative Developing Countries (IDCs) referred to in the Tshwane Consensus include Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa, and Thailand.
Wednesday 5 October 2005 marks the 60th anniversary of South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). "We are launching a reshaped and revitalised CSIR to respond with agility and resilience to changing environments, unpredictable expectations and emerging opportunities," says Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, CSIR President and CEO.
In gearing up towards launching the refocused Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in October 2005, the top management of the organisation is now at full strength with the appointment of its final member, Vishnu Pillay.
Enabling communities to empower themselves with knowledge is the theme of the second International FLOSS (Free/Libre and Open Source Software) and Free Knowledge Workshop to be held at the Centurion Lake Hotel, Pretoria, from 21-23 September 2005.
Health workers will meet in East London in September to learn how information and communications technology (ICT) can empower them in their profession. Telemedicine, medical informatics, and e-learning in e-health, including HIV/Aids, will be themes at a workshop to be held from 21-23 September 2005.
With the celebration of its 60 years of existence in 2005, the CSIR is refocusing its core activities to adhere to its founding purpose that is grounded in science and technology, according to the Chairperson of the CSIR Board, Roger Jardine, in the CSIR annual report 2004/5 that was tabled in Parliament on 12 September 2005.
A model rocket will be launched into mid-air near the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) groundstation at Hartebeesthoek this weekend. CSIR SAC is hosting the South African Rocketry Association (SARA) to launch their model rocket at 8:00 on Sunday 18 September 2005.
Two researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were honoured recently at the joint congress of the Operations Research Society of South Africa (ORSSA) and the South African Institute of Industrial Engineers.
Three women researchers from the CSIR who are pioneers in science, engineering and technology research and development have recently received recognition for their inventions.
The Meraka Institute's Open Source Centre (OSC) will host Soweto's first ever open source workshop on Saturday 13 August 2005. The workshop, to be attended mainly by computer enthusiasts who run their own computer-related businesses in that area, will be held at the Funda Centre in Soweto.
To contribute towards countering the global pressures experienced by the clothing and textile industry in South Africa, the clothing technology competency area of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) regional office in Port Elizabeth commissioned a 3D full body scanner.
The Southern African Network for Biosciences (SANBio) was established on Friday 5 August 2005 in Pretoria to strengthen the biosciences capacity in the broader southern African region. SANBio will be a network of technology suppliers from the 12 countries making up the southern African group.
The 2005 winner of the prestigious JD Roberts Award is Dr Sharon Biermann of CSIR Building Technology. This award recognises Biermann's research contribution to public sector infrastructure investment and development, focusing on integrated land use, infrastructure planning, land suitability assessment, development prioritisation and spatial infrastructure economics.
Partnership to develop more nutritious, easily digestible Sorghum with increased levels of pro-Vitamin A and E, Iron, Zinc, Essential Amino Acids and protein prototype with increased lysine
South Africa hosts the eighth World Conference on Computers (WCCE) in Stellenbosch from 4 to 7 July 2005. The conference, which takes place every four years, aims to explore the use of information and communications technologies (ICTs) in education and teaching of informatics.
It has rescued a $400 million satellite, received data from scientific packages left on the moon by Apollo astronauts, and even tracked the BIOS capsule with a monkey on board. The 40 ft (12,19 m) parabolic antenna of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been providing excellent satellite support services for more than 40 years, dating back to August 1964. The gigantic antenna continues to dwarf other antennae at the CSIR Satellite Application Centre (SAC) at Hartebeesthoek.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are participating as partners in a project for Global Free and Open Source Software Research, FLOSSWorld. The two-year project involves 17 partners in 12 countries around the world, jointly receiving a total of R4.8 million from the European Union's 6th Framework Research programme.
Following its establishment as an independent Section 21 company in May 2005, the African Laser Centre (ALC) has appointed CSIR Group Executive Director: Research and Development, Dr Phil Mjwara, as the chairperson of its Board of Directors.
There are 1,2 billion people in the world today without access to safe drinking water, while three billion people do not have access to proper sanitation. In addition, 50% of solid wastes remain uncollected.
The date 20 May has marked World Metrology Day for the past 130 years. The aim of this day is to commemorate the science and practice of measurement, which influences everyone's daily life and supports free and fair trade. Locally, this year's World Metrology Day focuses on small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) throughout South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). As large enterprises are restructuring and some are downsizing, SMMEs play an increasingly important role in the SADC economy and development.
The Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) workshop saw about 30 open source flag-bearers, some from as far as Europe, Asia, Australasia and other parts of Africa, converge at the State Information and Technology Agency in Pretoria in April 2005. Its aims were twofold - to effectively plan and map out the synergies amongst various international FLOSS initiatives and events and secondly, to seek ways to inform the planning around regional and local efforts, such as the Regional Task Force on open source software (OSS) and the United Nations Development Programme's Regional Open Source Centre. It was also an opportunity for networking with key players in the open source space in Africa.
The date 17 May not only marks World Telecommunications Day this year, it also sees the launch of the Meraka Institute at the CSIR in Pretoria. This African advanced institute for information and communications technology is being introduced to stakeholders with a keynote address by Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, Minister of Communications, and a presentation by Mr Derek Hanekom, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology.
Researchers and research managers from South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana met in Zimbabwe recently for the first technical workshop of the Regional Research Alliance (RRA). Participants developed a short to medium term plan within the three research focus areas of the RRA (water and food security; energy; and construction and infrastructure).
When Boeing’s Spaceway F1 satellite is launched on 26 April 2005 in Long Beach, California, the CSIR will have all systems in place to provide the launch support for the first Ka-band telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) satellite ever launched.
The thrilling world of lasers, optical illusions and physics in general will be taken to Grade 10-12 learners from the Orange Farm and Ennerdale regions next week. They will gain hands-on experience when the CSIR hosts three days of interactive experiments, demonstrations and lectures at the Region 11 Civic Centre on 19-21 April 2005.
Participants of the 2005 Sasol SciFest can expect to gain hands-on experience in the exciting world of laser technology when they visit the interactive exhibition stand of the CSIR National Laser Centre (NLC). Elements to be showcased will include an optical scale, an optical illusion, a laser light show, a light communicator, a laser alarm system, and a gas laser. A feature unique to all these exhibits is that they are all made from inexpensive items found at electronic stores and around the home, making them more accessible to learners who are keen to experiment.
In line with its focus on excellence in research and development (R&D), the CSIR has appointed Dr Phil Mjwara (47) to its new top leadership structure as Group Executive responsible for R&D. Mjwara is currently the Head of the CSIR National Laser Centre (NLC), where he has been instrumental in growing the centre's activities since its inception in 2001 and in creating a network of laser centres in Africa.
Ministry for Environmetal Affairs and Tourism - Statement by the Office of Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, on 24 February 2005
A revolutionary new concept in earth observation will allow the animation and analysis of the behaviour of real world objects instead of just mapping their spatial distribution.
"This new breed of instrument, called a sensor web, will transform the way we explore, monitor and control the environment. It will have an impact on many areas including disaster management, transportation planning, agriculture, ecology, security and defence," explains Andrew Terhorst, Earth Observation Manager at the CSIR.
Currently, South Africa does not have a national policy on enclosed neighbourhoods, commonly known as road closures. Decision-makers from local authorities stand to benefit from an upcoming international seminar and workshop on the subject of gated communities. The CSIR will host the event in Pretoria on 1-3 March 2005 as part of a series of international symposia addressing the issue of gated communities and related subjects.
Logistics costs in South African represent a considerable percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP), namely 14.7% (R 180 billion), compared to 8.5% in the USA. This is one of the core structural problems highlighted in the first annual State of Logistics Survey for South Africa, which was released by the CSIR in Sandton on 7 February 2005
A globally competitive genetic source of pine trees - that is what the forestry sector is aiming to achieve with a new initiative. Early in February, interested parties met and agreed to start a process to set up a sustainable pine tree breeding research platform for South Africa.
Traditional healers and scientists from around the world will converge on Benoni from 9-11 February 2005 for an international workshop on indigenous knowledge (IK).
Road tests are currently conducted on two sections of the N12 East. The slow lane of the N12 near the Putfontein/Daveyton off-ramp will thus be closed off and temporary deviations used during the tests, which should continue until the end of March 2005.
Road tests are currently conducted on two sections of the N12 East. The slow lane of the N12 near the Putfontein/Daveyton off-ramp will thus be closed off and temporary deviations used during the tests, which should continue until the end of March 2005.
In the face of growing health and safety challenges, stringent government regulations and rapid transformation, the local mining industry has one success record that it can look back on with pride. This year marks 100 years of hoist rope testing in South Africa, which was celebrated at a centenary event held at the Cottesloe testing facility of CSIR Mining Technology on Friday 26 November 2004
As part of the National Accessibility Portal (NAP) project, the CSIR demonstrated a communication prototype on Tuesday 23 November to Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the Presidency, people with disabilities, other stakeholders, and the media.
A global effort was launched in New York on 16 November 2004 to help address the world's most difficult health and societal problems through using the idle computing power of millions of PCs. The project, called the World Community Grid, seeks to involve leading research institutions who wish to conduct innovative research needing massive computing power, as well as individual and business owners of PCs who will donate unused computer power to the Grid.
For the past four months, the community in Orange Farm has received training in information and communications technology (ICT) to build capacity in support of economic development. Following the training, the Orange Farm ICT Hub will be launched on 18 November 2004 by the Mayor of Johannesburg. The Economic Development Unit of the City of Joburg Metro partnered with the CSIR's Information Society Technology Centre (ISTC) in this joint venture to establish the ICT Hub in Orange Farm.
Harnessing information and communications technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of Africa's tertiary education sector is the topic of the UNESCO-sponsored Expert Group Meeting on Developing the e-Campus Model for Africa to be held next week.
The use of space technology to manage water resources in Africa will be top of the agenda next week in Pretoria. Experts from Europe, Canada and the USA will join some 150 counterparts from more than 20 African countries for a three-day workshop to put the "Space for Water" initiative into action.
Scientists and South African San join forces in research project on San use of indigenous plants Bioprospecting agreement between the CSIR and the South African San Council signed in Upington
The evolution of the fixed-wing aircraft, rocket and spaceplane engines, as well as future propulsion systems are among the topics to be discussed at the CSIR from 25 to 27 October 2004.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT) has commissioned the CSIR to develop an information system, based on marine and coastal indicators, that aims to support national decision-making and reporting on the coastal environment in South Africa.
South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe have just formed a research alliance. Initial focus areas of the Alliance will be in the areas of energy; building, construction and infrastructure; and water management and food security for increased impact.
The recent hearings conducted by the Human Rights Commission have again stirred up the public debate in the media on enclosed neighbourhoods, or street closures.. The question regarding the constitutionality / legality of closing off existing public streets is of critical importance, given the history of our country. However, it is important to recognise that there are a number of other aspects that also need to be considered carefully when addressing the issue of enclosed neighbourhoods.
In response to international concern about road safety, CSIR Roads and Transport Technology (Transportek) together with the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) based in London will release the results of a three-year pilot study on the use of community education programmes to promote road safety in South Africa.
The VeZA® (Visit and Explore South Africa) CD-ROM, an integrated travel and tourism tool developed by the CSIR, is now available in a new version with an enhanced, vector-based trip planner, the system was launched at the Getaway Tourism show held recently. The mapping system also allows the user to zoom in and out of the map (to view specific areas in detail) or move/pan in any direction. According to the CSIR's Pieter Coetzee, VeZA project manager, the VeZA database of service providers, accommodation establishments and attractions are displayed on the maps, and can be accessed according to the user's preference.
The future lies in innovation in science and technology (S&T). Greater investment is necessary to stay close to the frontiers of knowledge in all major areas of technology in order for the CSIR to meet the challenge of global industrial competition and ensure that its technology contributes to the development of the people of South Africa. This is the message of the Chairperson of the CSIR Board, Mr Roger Jardine, in the institution's annual report for 2003/4 that was tabled in Parliament on Thursday 2 September 2004.
The Olympic Games are frequently regarded as the ultimate challenge in an athlete's career. Competitors train for many years in advance in order to achieve peak condition for events that perhaps seldom last longer than a few minutes or even seconds. The optimum combination of diet, physical training and mental preparation is essential and now technology intervention can provide athletes with a competitive advantage.
In a boost for South African participation in international science, local researchers have started work on three major, new research projects undertaken by international consortiums, following the inclusion of the CSIR in three contracts awarded by the competitive European Commission Sixth Framework Programme (EC FP6).
CSIR Mining Technology strives to support the mining and related sectors by improving occupational health, safety, productivity and cost-effectiveness of mining operations. Its mandate is to provide technological innovation to contribute to the challenge of sustainable socio-economic development in the mining sector.
Vishnu Pillay has been appointed as Executive Director of CSIR Mining Technology. He was formerly the Senior Consultant in charge of Mine Planning and Resource Management at Gold Fields for its South African and International Operations.
From yesterday, Mothibi Ramusi (Centre Manager of CSIR SAC) and two of his colleagues, Alex Fortescue and Philip Frost, have had numerous interviews with media representatives for write-ups in newspapers, technical magazines, radio slots and even television. This follows the inauguration yesterday of the reception capability of two earth observing satellite systems, MODIS and Landsat.
An international workshop hosted by the CSIR, planned to take place on March 3rd, 2005, is set to make a significant contribution to the debate around gated communities. Aimed at policy-makers, the workshop forms part of the fifth in a series of international symposia addressing the issue of gated communities and related subjects.
Funding agency backs combination of indigenous foods, technology and active role of traditional leaders - Queens, Queen Mothers, delegated wives of chiefs, and government representatives from various Southern African nations gathered in Limpopo Province for the launch of an initiative exploring the role of traditional leaders in the conservation and promotion of indigenous foods and resources.
The CSIR's Information Society Technologies Centre (ISTC) is partnering with the City of Johannesburg Metro in a joint venture to establish an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub in Orange Farm.
An electronic warfare conference with an emphasis on regional affairs and issues relating to the support of peace operations in Africa will be held on 17 and 18 August 2004 at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.
"A practical approach has been adopted throughout the text, with a number of realistic examples of useful applications to assist the reader in understanding design methodologies," says author Jeffrey Mahachi. "All design examples have been structured in such a manner that the reader can easily follow the methodology and cross-check the necessary clauses in the code."
The CSIR has joined a research consortium that will be focusing on the development of strategies for the production of pharmaceutical proteins in plants. The project brings together 39 scientists from 11 European countries and South Africa.
Residents of Mamelodi now have the opportunity to reap benefit from science and technology by becoming more technologically literate through teaching themselves computer skills.
At a function held at Murray & Roberts in Bedfordview last night, Murray & Roberts Construction's Graham Mullany presented the 2004 JD Roberts Award to Steve van Huyssteen from CSIR Building and Construction Technology. The award was made to Van Huyssteen in recognition of his outstanding contribution to construction industry development in South Africa, over a number of years.
Pretoria - The CSIR's telehealth project based in the Eastern Cape has just been selected as one of three winners in the health category of the prestigious Stockholm Challenge. The challenge is an awards programme for pioneering information technology (IT) projects worldwide. The winners were announced at the Final Event yesterday (13 May).
Structural integrity of new and ageing aircraft will come under the spotlight at the First National Symposium on Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) which will be hosted by CSIR Defence Technology (Defencetek) this year.
In the first, dark hours of 15 April 2004, the day after South Africa’s third democratic elections, the CSIR’s statistical model predicted the ANC’s national results would be 69, 6% and forecasted that the ID would get 1, 7% nationally. This was at 01:17 on 15 April, when only 2% of the results had come in. Both these percentages proved to be accurate when the final results were determined.
The Department of Science and Technology and the CSIR have produced a brand new recipe book on South African Indigenous Foods. The book is the result of a poverty alleviation project and it has been selected as a gift to be handed to guests at the inauguration of South Africa's President next week.
South African researchers and industry have the opportunity to participate in one of the biggest research funding mechanisms available globally, the European Union (EU) Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). As this is quite a complex set of mechanisms, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has appointed seven people (two of them from the CSIR) to be South Africa‚s network of National Contact Points (NCPs). The aim is for them to assist the DST specifically in maximising South Africa‚s participation in the FP6 (see www.cordis.lu/FP6).
CSIR Transportek will heed the World Health Organisation's worldwide call by celebrating World Health Day (WHD) 2004 in style from April 5 - 8. A number of events reflecting the theme of WHD 2004, "Road Safety is Everyone's Business", will be taking place at the CSIR main campus in Pretoria.
The CSIR's telehealth project based in the Eastern Cape has qualified as a finalist in the prestigious Stockholm Challenge - an awards programme for pioneering information technology (IT) projects worldwide.
Nomathemba Kontyo, South Africa's 15-year old NASA student, received a rousing welcome last week when she returned from a two-week visit to the Mars Exploration Rover mission in the United States. Acting CEO of Technology for Women in Business (TWIB), Ms Daphney Mashamaite, met Nomathemba at the airport with a group of Techno-girls to welcome her home. TWIB, a national programme initiated by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and administered by the CSIR, which encourages young women to pursue careers in science and technology through its Techno-girl Programme, announced that Nomathemba has been appointed as its Techno-girl ambassador.
Gated communities are a growing phenomenon world-wide and are receiving increasing interest from a range of professions (geographers, planners, urban designers, legal practitioners, sociologies, anthropologists and criminologists) and stake-holders (residents, local authorities, the police, etc.). Boutek is on the forefront of research into many of the issues surrounding gated communities in South Africa and has been a recognised contributor to the increasing number of international conferences and publications aimed at discussing gated communities and related themes. The fifth in a series of international conferences addressing this issue will be hosted by Boutek in January/February 2005.
he Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) has been granted Agrément certification for an innovative roofing system. Agrément SA assesses the fitness-for-purpose of non-standardised and innovative building products and systems.
CSIR Defence Technology (Defencetek) has developed a network Internet Protocol (IP) camera for remote observation from a desktop computer. The camera can stream images with sound at 16 frames/sec to a computer. The network camera follows the trend of linking digital security cameras to computer networks. The advantages of the network camera's fully digital image capturing and processing capability outweighs what analogue cameras have traditionally offered. This includes, among others, installation, multimedia capability, incident detection and image storage.
An international conference aimed at bringing together major stakeholders to map out a common agenda for the development of a sustainable built environment in Africa in support of NEPAD and other regional development initiatives will be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa from 13 - 18 September 2004. Hosted by the CSIR, in association with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB), the United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE), Sustainable Building '04 - Africa (SB'04 - Africa) will provide the opportunity for African experts to share locally developed knowledge and expertise with each other and the broader international community.
Storymaker is a software program designed to preserve South Africa's rich storytelling heritage. It has been developed at icomtek, the CSIR business unit that specialises in information, communications and space technologies.
World attention is currently focussing on local innovation in information and communications technology (ICT) during the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) taking place in Geneva, Switzerland on 9-13 December. The delegation from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) led by Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, and the CSIR are exhibiting and showcasing three projects during the Summit.
The Government is seeking partners with software development expertise to help establish a web-based facility which will form an integral part of the State's anti-corruption drive. The project is spearheaded by four public institutions - the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), the Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and the CSIR which will play a lead role in the development and implementation of the system. The Open Source Corruption Management Information System (OSCMIS) seeks to provide a solution that will contribute to efforts to improve institutional efficiency within Government.
Africa is preparing to play a major role in the use of lasers to advance science and technology (S&T) on the continent with the launch of the African Laser Centre (ALC) in Johannesburg today. Established by a group of African countries with an interest in laser applications, the ALC is destined to be a virtual centre that will serve as a central point to coordinate a network of excellence in laser research across the continent. The International Office will be located in South Africa.
Some of South Africa's impressive indigenous crafts will be showcased at the second southern African SMME Exhibition, Small Business in Overdrive (SBO), to be held from 23 - 25 October 2003 in Port Elizabeth. The first SBO exhibition, held in June 2002, was generally acknowledged as a major energiser of the local SMME sector.
Chrisna du Plessis of Boutek has been selected for inclusion in the 2003 edition of the Who's Who in the World, which makes her a member of a very exclusive club comprising only 0.006% of the world's population.
The CSIR launches an Open Source Centre today (10 October 2003), at its campus in Pretoria as part of broader endeavours which are aimed at stimulating the adoption of open source (OS) software technologies on the African continent.
South Africa's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy (AMTS) was launched by Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology on 29th September 2003. During his keynote address, Dr Ngubane emphasised that South Africa's "future competitiveness will depend on the capacity of the manufacturing sector to master information technology, to innovate and to meet the precise needs of customers".
The implementation plan of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) -with specific reference to the supporting role of space applications - was highlighted during a four-day symposium held in Austria in September.
A South African scientist is, for the first time, to collaborate in a European Co-operation in Scientific and Technical Research (COST) network. Dr Dean Brady, a CSIR Bio/Chemtek Research Fellow, has been invited by the Working Group on Chemistry to collaborate with an international research network in a five- year investigation into biocatalysis.
Leaders from Boeing Phantom Works, the advanced research-and-development unit of The Boeing Company which is based in the United States, are visiting the CSIR in Pretoria this week to discuss technology projects of mutual interest for possible future co-operation.
The Rock Engineering programme of CSIR Miningtek is participating at the
10th Congress of the International Society for Rock Mechanics ( ISRM ) which takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Sandton on 8 - 12 September 2003.
A spectacular craft installation entitled "A Handmade Dream" will be showcasing South African craft in all its splendour at Decorex South Africa from 6 ¿ 10 August, at Gallagher Estate near Johannesburg. The result of a partnership between the Departments of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology and Trade and Industry; South Africa RAI (organisers of Decorex SA), the Business Trust¿s Tourism Enterprise Programme and the CSIR, the installation places the spotlight on the unique diversity of local craft and design.
The CSIR announced strong overall performance at the launch of its 2003 Annual Report to a select group of stakeholders today. The organisation exceeded its external operating revenue of R593,9 million by R43,8 million, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 13%. The most significant growth of 21.1% was achieved in the international sector, itself an indicator of quality performance and delivery. In addition, good growth was evident in the private sector (16.9%) and the public sector (7.6%).
KwaZulu-Natal entrepreneur, Tholakele Hadebe (47) last night scooped the 2003 Technology for Women In Business (TWIB) Award, at a glittering ceremony held in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
A new South African company entered the biotechnology business domain today when Bioventures, the specialist biotechnology venture capital fund, and the CSIR, through its Bio/Chemtek business unit, announced the formation of Mbuyu Biotech (Pty) Limited. Mbuyu has been granted a world-wide licence to further develop, demonstrate and commercialise three CSIR-developed biotechnology manufacturing processes that are being spun out from the CSIR for further technology packaging.
An ITS Laboratory established by the CSIR was launched on Wednesday, 11 June at the Sandton Convention Centre by Nazir Alli, CEO of the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL). The Laboratory aims to assist the ITS industry in addressing a host of transport challenges in the southern African region, including road traffic safety and more effective use of existing infrastructure.
At a function held at the Murray and Roberts Centre in Bedfordview last night, Murray and Roberts Construction MD Mr Stepehn Pell presented the 2003 JD Roberts Award to Ms Maria Coetzee, Project Leader: Integrated Development from CSIR Building and Construction Technology. The award was made to Ms Coetzee in recognition of her enormous contribution, from concept to practice, to Integrated Development Planning in South Africa.
Maize Trust commissions CSIR to research microwave energy for maize pest control - Joint release by CSIR and Maize Trust : Affordable, non-toxic technology to ensure that grain insects and their eggs are destroyed is the primary objective of research commissioned by the South African Maize Trust. Announcing the project, Leon du Plessis, Maize Trust Administrator, says the CSIR, in association with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and other partners, will test microwave energy as a means to control grain pests, which are estimated to cause annual losses of up to R25 million.Du Plessis says grain silos and treatment areas are regularly fumigated in the battle to ensure insect-free products.
A Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) and the Eastern Cape office of the CSIR was bolstered by a CSIR-hosted day-long seminar on the Eastern Cape's Natural Fibres industry. Presented by Dr Lawrance Hunter, a world-renowned leader in the field of natural fibres and Sunshine Blouw Manager of the Natural Plant Fibre Centre on Hemp. on 15 April at the CSIR's site in Port Elizabeth, the seminar focused on wool, mohair and hemp, three of the Eastern Cape's most important products. Several projects leaders from the ECDC participated in the event.
The CSIR and the South African San Council announced today that they have reached an agreement to share the benefits that are anticipated to arise from the potential commercial success of a CSIR patent that followed research and development of new technology related to the Hoodia plant. Dubbed P57, clinical trials continue internationally on the product, which - if successful - will form the basis of a new obesity treatment. The agreement was signed by CSIR President, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi and Chairperson of the South African San Council, Mr Petrus Vaalbooi. South Africa's Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Dr Ben Ngubane, attended this historical occasion and signed the agreement as witness.
The CSIR and the SABS signed a memorandum of understanding this week, which aims at aligning and enhancing interaction between the two organisations in support of national goals. Dr Eugene Julies, CEO of SABS said, "We recognise the mutual interest and benefit in strengthening technical cooperation within a framework of friendship in pursuance of our desire to cooperate in various areas that will benefit the people of our country."
HARTEBEESTHOEK, South Africa, February 27, 2003 - South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and The Boeing Company today inaugurated the first Ka band Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C) facility worldwide at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre, north west of Johannesburg, South Africa. Boeing invested R45 million (US$5 million) to fund the project.
The CSIR-based South African National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) is an initiative financed jointly by the Swiss and Austrian governments to enhance the competitiveness and productive capacity of the national industry through the adoption of cleaner production techniques, and the transfer and development of environmentally acceptable technologies. The NCPC will be officially inaugurated on Monday, 24 February 2003 at the CSIR Conference Centre in Pretoria. This Centre is hosted at CSIR¿s Process Technology Centre, which is part of the CSIR Manufacturing and Materials Technology business unit.
Representatives from nine leading Science and Technology Institutions from around the world met in New Delhi, India, on 20 and 21 January 2003 and agreed to establish a "Global Research Alliance" (GRA) with the objective of applying a global knowledge pool for global good through global funding. The Alliance will facilitate international R&D cooperation to address the problems facing the world, especially in the areas of water, health, energy, transportation and the digital divide.
Peter Schmitz, a CSIR Geographic Information Systems (GIS) expert, has received international recognition again at the highest level for the excellence of his work in crime mapping. The Fourth Annual Crime Mapping Competition (run concurrently with the International Crime Mapping Research Conference held in Denver, Colorado, USA, in December 2002) identified Schmitz as the winner in the category, "Best Analytic Map Display", for his mapping of crime and court statistics at magisterial level in South Africa. Schmitz¿s map display was adjudicated by prominent international experts, academics and practitioners in the field of crime mapping and analysis.
Representatives from nine top Science and Technology institutions from around the world will meet in New Delhi, India, on 20 and 21 January 2003 to finalise agreement on a "Global Research Alliance" (GRA) that will facilitate international R&D cooperation in specific high-impact areas. The participating institutions in the discussions are CSIR India, the Danish Technological Institute (DTI), the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in Germany, SIRIM Berhad in Malaysia, TNO in The Netherlands, VTT in Finland, CSIRO in Australia, Battelle Memorial Institute in the USA and the CSIR in South Africa.
Bringing computer literacy into the ambit and experience of all South Africans is becoming possible through the Minimally Invasive Education Project, a joint undertaking between the CSIR and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, will give the keynote address at a demonstration of the pilot project, situated in Cwili Township, on the border of Morgan Bay and Kei Mouth in the Eastern Cape on 21 December 2002.
Ministers, Premiers, Business leaders and other South African Who's Who will be treated to a taste of South Africa's best indigenous foods when Rustenburg in the North West Province hosts a gala evening to launch a Provincial Food Fair on Friday, 8 November. The Indigenous Food Fair will be attended by guest of honour and keynote speaker, Deputy Minister of DACST, Ms B Mabandla and guest of honour North West Province Premier Mr Popo Molefe. Nafcoc President Mr GM Mokgoko will also deliver a short address at the Food Fair.
CSIR President, Dr Sibusiso Sibisi has raised the importance of the availability of affordable, accessible data from Earth Observation satellites in the interest of African development at what has been called the meeting of the decade for space professionals at the Space Congress in Houston, Texas, 10 - 19 October. Dr Sibisi addressed a group of invited leaders in space applications and technologies at the Space Policy Summit over the weekend. The Summit is set to culminate in specific recommendations that will stimulate the development of new policies and initiatives to catalyse the further expansion of space activities.
The past year has seen the successful completion of the development of a novel natural method for repelling mosquitoes, including species that carry malaria. The repellent, based on a patented discovery of CSIR Bio/Chemtek, is based on the active ingredients of an indigenous plant that is not found in any of the current commercial repellents on the market. This discovery resulted from the ongoing collaboration between CSIR Bio/Chemtek's Bioprospecting Programme and Traditional Healers, initiated during 1998.
CSIR's Mining Technology Director, Dr Güner Gürtunca and HOPE worldwide's Operations Director, Mr André Kruger, signed an Africa Cooperation Framework on 20 August 2002 in an effort to join hands in tackling the HIV/AIDS issue. The Agreement, put together by Ms Berenice Lue Marais, Head of the CSIR Africa Business Development Unit and HOPE worldwide's Mr André Kruger, establishes a cooperation framework in areas of mutual interest, in the field of technical assistance applied to the development of projects in line with national, regional and the New Africa Partnership for Development (NEPAD) priorities.
A full and varied programme awaits delegates to the Pretoria-based complementary event of the Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development, at the CSIR Conference Centre from 26-31 August 2002. The Science at the Summit Conference has been organised by the Department of Science and Technology in collaboration with the South African S&T community. The Summit Conference is structured under five themes: The State of the Planet: Doom or Dawn?; Taking the Pulse: Ways of knowing the Health of the Earth; Science, Technology and Innovation as the Bridge between Development and Sustainability; Sustainability Science for a New World and Science and Society: A New Contract.
Current trends in the manufacturing sector leading to globalisation and international acceptability of manufactured goods, increased competitiveness and rapid technological development has culminated in the CSIR National Metrology Laboratory (NML) developing a "Measurement Practice Improvement Guide" aimed at SMME's in the local manufacturing sector.
The CSIR, the country's top science and technology provider, reported good overall growth in its financial performance despite competitive economic conditions.
A Workshop on Operations Research for Global Logistics involving Africa, jointly organised by North Carolina A&T State University, the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, and CSIR Information and Communications Technology, takes place at the CSIR Conference Centre from 5-8 August 2002.
The Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development at the World Summit in Johannesburg has drawn participation from influential and committed organisations and experts worldwide, resulting in the programme offering a range of S&T topics and perspectives relevant to sustainable development.
The National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI) has ratified an initiative to support the identification and implementation of A National Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics Technology Strategy. NACI, through the Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology advises Cabinet on the role of science, technology and innovation in promoting and achieving national objectives.
The CSIR's Sports Technology Centre (STC) is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the development and application of performance analysis tools aimed at developing winning teams and individuals. Today, the CSIR's technical support team to the Commonwealth Games prepares to leave and accompany the athletes to Manchester in their quest to maintain and improve their international sporting standing.
The CSIR and PricewaterhouseCoopers established an African Cooperation Framework to forge cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Dr Anthos Yannakou, in his capacity as CSIR Vice President Operations and Mr Stanley Subramoney, Deputy CEO of PricewaterhouseCoopers, signed the Memorandum of Agreement on 8 July 2002 at the CSIR. The agreement will cover technical assistance applied to the development of projects in line with national and regional priorities as well as those of the New Partnership for Africa¿s Development (NEPAD).
Dr Anthos Yannakou, CSIR Executive Vice-President, and Ms Berenice Lue Marais, head of CSIR Africa Business Development, were recently afforded the opportunity of attending the Third Annual Conference and Expo of the World Bank's Staff Exchange Programme.
A CSIR/Armscor Strategic Alliance has been established in order to create a world-class technology provider that will maximise the benefit of defence and related technology for the people of South Africa. Further to this alliance, the two parties have also formed a South African Defence Evaluation and Research Institute (SA DERI) Alliance, which is to have a defence technology focus, in order to enhance the delivery of services and support to the Department of Defence.
Green Buildings for Africa (GBA) will be exhibiting at stand no.88 at the SAPOA convention at the ICC in Durban on 30 - 31 May 2002. Members of the media are cordially invited to the stand to familiarise themselves with the activities of GBA, which are aimed at supporting and promoting environmentally responsible use of facilities by property owners, managers and tenants. CSIR Building and Construction Technology`s Facilities Planning and Management Programme will also form part of this expo.
The CSIR's National Metrology Laboratory (NML) is in the final stages of completing a mobile metrology laboratory for Mozambique, under contract to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
A comprehensive new injury control system developed by the CSIR will help reduce and minimize the impact of accidents and injuries on the health, development and well-being of the Umlazi community in KwaZulu-Natal. The Mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Councillor Obed Mlaba, will launch the project on May 17th 2002.
The CSIR and the South African Association of Consulting Engineers (SAACE) signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement on 7 May 2002 at the CSIR as part of an ongoing strategic alliance for the ultimate benefit of the industry and South Africa. The Agreement is aimed at fostering the mutual relationship and facilitating access to mutual expertise residing within the broader industry.
CSIR Water, Environment and Forestry Technology (Environmentek) has been involved in the development and presentation of EIA capacity building courses for the past 10 years. Courses have been presented to government departments, universities, non-governmental organisations, community-based organisations and environmental specialists, in South Africa and countries as far a field as Ethiopia.
In what Dr Ramesh Mashelkar, Director General of CSIR India called a "meeting of minds and heart", the heads of leading international knowledge-intensive research and technology organisations today signed a declaration in which they committed to jointly undertake large impact projects for the benefit of society.
Announcing South Africa's inclusion as a critical mission ground station to render support for the missions under contract to the Lockheed Martin Consolidated Space Operations Office, Piet van der Westhuizen, Business Development Manager of the SAC, says the deal is significant both in terms of initiating business with Lockheed Martin and in terms of the importance of these missions.
Representatives from the San and the CSIR said during a San visit to the CSIR in Pretoria today that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in anticipation of the potential commercial success of a patent that followed research and the development of new technology related to the Hoodia plant. If successful, this South African patent will be at the centre of a new obesity treatment. Both parties have recorded their commitment to interact with each other in good faith to arrive at a comprehensive benefit-sharing agreement.
The Eastern Cape Office of CSIR Manufacturing and Materials Technology has been certified against the ISO9001 Quality Management System. The certificate was handed over at a ceremony at the Business Unit's Port Elizabeth site in Summerstrand on 1 March 2002 by Mr Chris Kruger, representing SABS as the certifying body.
CSIR Information and Communications Technology (icomtek) has successfully secured a DACST Lead fund for a project entitled ¿Enabling Government to Citizen e-Governance¿.
A revolutionary concept for telecommunications is having aircraft and balloons flying at twice the altitude of Boeing 747 airliners to provide a telecommunications platform.
The CSIR recently established a Centre for Integrated Waste Management (CIWM) to provide appropriate, innovative and integrated solutions to waste management. The 2000 White Paper on Integrated Pollution and Waste Management for South Africa emphasises that the country¿s reintegration into the global economy and the international and southern African political arena necessitate an improved pollution and waste management system.
During March 2002, the CSIR is honoured to host a first-ever South African lecture tour by internationally renowned business leader, best-selling author and consultant, Professor Rosabeth Moss Kanter. She will be presenting to various audiences during her lecture tour from 1 to 9 March on topics such as competitiveness, transformation and innovation in the global economy.
Cooperation between M&Mek's Centre for Polymer Technology (CPT) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has been boosted by the signing of an agreement on exploiting a novel biotechnology.
The CSIR Board has announced the appointment of Dr Rodney Milford as Director of CSIR Building and Construction Technology (Boutek), and Mr André Nepgen as Director of CSIR Defence Technology (Defencetek) with effect from 1 December 2001.
The CSIR Defence Technology completed a prototype 4x4, lightweight, air-droppable, rapid reaction vehicle for Armscor. This top of the range vehicle, G-Bat, was launched at the CSIR on Friday, 2 November 2001.
The University of Cape Town (UCT) confirms that Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) has accepted the offer to take up the position of President of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa¿s prime science and technology institution has appointed a new President. Dr Sibusiso Sibisi, currently Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation at the University of Cape Town, was today named by the CSIR¿s Board as the new President. He joins the organisation on 1 January 2002.
South Africa¿s transportation research is in good hands. This was the assurance from Transport Minister Dullah Omar when congratulating the CSIR on 50 years of research into transport technologies at an event hosted in Midrand.
Two young professionals yesterday joined the ranks of South Africa's top qualified remote sensing practitioners when they were awarded a postgraduate diploma in Remote Sensing by the French Counsellor for Science, Culture and Development in South Africa, Mr Bernard Malauzat at the CSIR in Pretoria.
South Africa's indigenous skills will be in the spotlight at the gala evening of the Provincial Indigenous Food and Leather Fair in KwaZulu-Natal on 26 October 2001.
President Thabo Mbeki takes to deep-rural Tsilitwa - located in the mountainous Qumbu district of the Eastern Cape - on Saturday 13 October to review the progress of a project that is bringing information and communications technologies and its benefits to a town that so easily could have been on the losing side of the digital divide.
The CSIR has announced strong overall performance at the tabling of its Annual Report in Parliament. The organisation is measured against a range of goals, including business growth; human resource development and transformation; impacting on South Africa's sustainable development and national imperatives; harnessing the information revolution and embedding quality.
From road-building technology transfer in poverty relief projects to contact recognition software for cricket, the CSIR continues to deliver innovative technology solutions. The CSIR has highlighted the impact of work undertaken by the organisation and its partners with the tabling of its Annual Report for 2001 in Parliament today.
The CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) has reached an agreement with the Russian Aviation and Space Agency, Rosaviakosmos, to sell images obtained from Russian remote sensing systems to the South African market.
A South African product development portal developed by the CSIR's National Product Development Centre (NPDC) goes on display on Wednesday, 12 September 2001, at the Design Africa Expo in the Sandton Convention Centre. The web-based, interactive tool, at www.productdevelopment.co.za, provides information on the full new product development process, as well as direct access to expertise and resources supporting competitive product development.
Today saw a triumph for the economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities, for job creation and for community development with the official launch of a company formed by, and for the benefit of, the community of Dysselsdorp, a small town of 12 000 inhabitants, situated 25 kilometres from Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape.
Draft Mines Ban Treaty (MBT) Enabling Legislation in support of the world-wide eradication of land mines is nearing completion with the direct involvement of CSIR Defencetek.
The CSIR has appointed Sello Matsabu, a seasoned professional from the information technology and telecommunications industry, as Director of its Pretoria-based Information and Communications Technology business unit (CSIR icomtek).
A CSIR-initiated sustainable development sewing project has culminated in a successful partnership and market linkage between the Khayelitsha-based Zenzele Training and Development Centre and Pep Clothing, one of the biggest clothing producers and retailers in the southern hemisphere. The launch on 8 August, 2001 at the Khayelitsha Training Centre celebrates this achievement of the twenty-three strong sewing group, which produces 600 high quality schoolwear shirts per day.
Following the successful completion jointly by CSIR Environmentek and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the South African State of the Environment report, CSIR Environmentek has become involved in the National Environmental Indicators Project to enhance state of environment reporting.
Technical Barriers to Trade is the subject of a joint Kenya - South Africa workshop, organized by the CSIR National Metrology Laboratory (CSIR NML) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and planned for Thursday, 19 July 2001.
In a development that is set to revolutionise the South African geo-spatial industry, the first directly acquired high-resolution satellite image over southern Africa has been received at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC). With a resolution of 1.8m, significantly more detail about the surface of the African continent can now be captured by satellite and purchased commercially in near-real time.
The CSIR has assisted Port Elizabeth-based automotive component manufacturing company Mojack to attain ISO 9001-2000-GRII rating from Dekra in German in the record time of three months. Mojack is the first firm in Port Elizabeth to receive this certification.
Construction work on a new satellite monitoring station for Paris-based satellite operator, EUTELSAT, has commenced at the CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) at Hartebeesthoek, northwest of Johannesburg.
The CSIR has developed an information hub for the textile pipeline in Southern Africa, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and MPCS (a private company specializing in textile market research).
Green Buildings for Africa is proud to announce the enrolment of Anglo American's head office buildings in Johannesburg as its newest Showcase Partners in the Green Buildings programme.
All South Africans should get involved in marketing the country as a tourist destination. A positive, focused and uniform message and strategy to change perceptions is important.
Denel signed a contract with the CSIR on 29 March 2001 for the transfer of the Research and Development portion of Denel¿s Mechem division. The signing of the contract followed the ratification of the CSIR-Denel Mechem deal by Cabinet in October 2000.
The first of a series of State-of-Rivers reports for South Africa will be released by Minister Ronnie Kasrils on 20 March 2001 in Pietermaritzburg, as part of the National Water Week Campaign (19 to 25 March 2001).
The CSIR is hosting the biannual meeting of the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO) Executive Committee to be held on 19 to 20 March 2001.
The Eastern Cape Higher Education Association (ECHEA) and the CSIR are hosting a Competitive Funding for Higher Education Institutions and Industry workshop on 27 March 2001.
Scientists from CSIR Building and Construction Technology and students from the University of Pretoria¿s Department of Architecture and Interior Design are working closely together on a stand for the Green Buildings for Africa programme, to form part of the exhibition at the forthcoming SAPOA Conference in May 2001 at Caesar¿s Casino in Gauteng.
The Innovation Hub has made two key appointments. Mr Neo Moikangoa, has been appointed chairperson of the Board of The Innovation Hub; and Dr Neville Comins, has been appointed CEO of The Innovation Hub Management Company (Pty) Ltd.
Johan Hattingh, former Corporate Audit Manager of the CSIR and Director of Technifin (Pty) Ltd, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of SERA (Pty) Ltd, the private company that forms part of the strategic alliance between the CSIR and the University of Pretoria (UP), as from 1 March 2001.
The CSIR has a weather station in Hermanus and has been conducting weather monitoring in the area since 1989. Due to budgetary restrictions, the CSIR will be forced to close the station, unless other interested parties are prepared to renew the contract, currently financed by the Greater Hermanus Municipality.
CSIR is hosting a workshop that is built on the premises that lie between the Textile Arts and Crafts, as a field of creativity, expression and craftsmanship, and the textile sciences and technology, as fields of learning, understanding, and innovation, on 29 and 30 March at the Sasol Scifest 20001 in Grahamstown.
CSIR Miningtek is participating in a major collaborative initiative between South Africa's coal industry and the departments of Health and Minerals and Energy aimed at combatting HIV/AIDS through community intervention, as well as incorporating a number of social upliftment programmes.
CSIR Technology for Development will highlight the impact of Science and Technology on traditional knowledge and resources during the Science and Technology Week (SET) that is starting in Durban today.
Virus Protection Systems (Pty) Ltd (VPS), a subsidiary company of Aqua Online, in which the CSIR has a minority shareholding, has decided to discontinue further development of the VPS product range. The product, initially developed by the CSIR as a unique South African anti-virus system, was transferred to VPS in 1999.
CSIR Manufacturing and Materials Technology (M&Mtek), jointly with the Netherlands Energy Research Foundation (ECN), RISØ National Laboratory of Denmark and Richard Morris & Associates (RMA) of the UK, hosted a workshop entitled "Renewable Energy ¿ Moving from Policy to Implementation" at the CSIR¿s Conference Centre in Pretoria from February 14-15, 2001.
Through its expertise and experience in the Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) programme, CSIR Transportek is in the unique position to perform drug evaluations on arrestees in order to inform opinion on drug influence and drug category.
The CSIR Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) received its first directly-acquired Landsat 7 satellite image, captured by this earth observation satellite on 20 February 2001.
South Africa has bettered international contenders for the support of the Spaceway satellite constellation under contract to US-based Boeing Satellite Systems (BSS). The contract will result in a multi-million dollar investment by BSS to establish the Spaceway Satellite Tracking Station at the CSIR¿s Satellite Applications Centre (SAC) at Hartebeesthoek, northwest of Johannesburg.
Public response to the drive by The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) to promote Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) was extremely enthusiastic and has resulted in 98 proposals being submitted in the 1999/2000 year¿s PUSET Awards Scheme. The CSIR inter-disciplinary team tasked to co-ordinate the selection of these projects was impressed by this response and has announced that some 19 projects - spanning urban and rural audiences in all provinces - made it through the selection process, and have now been completed.
Public response to the drive by The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) to promote Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) was extremely enthusiastic and has resulted in 98 proposals being submitted in the 1999/2000 year¿s PUSET Awards Scheme. The CSIR inter-disciplinary team tasked to co-ordinate the selection of these projects was impressed by this response and has announced that some 19 projects - spanning urban and rural audiences in all provinces - made it through the selection process, and have now been completed.
Public response to the drive by The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) to promote Public Understanding of Science, Engineering and Technology (PUSET) was extremely enthusiastic and has resulted in 98 proposals being submitted in the 1999/2000 year¿s PUSET Awards Scheme. The CSIR inter-disciplinary team tasked to co-ordinate the selection of these projects was impressed by this response and has announced that some 19 projects - spanning urban and rural audiences in all provinces - made it through the selection process, and have now been completed.
Pedestrian casualty statistics remain alarmingly high in South Africa, with 3452 pedestrians killed and 9886 seriously injured during 1998 alone. In an effort to address this national problem, CSIR Transportek is implementing a short-term pedestrian strategy project, in conjunction with the National Department of Transport, over the period November 2000 to July 2001, as part of Strategy 2000-2004, which was launched by the Minister of Transport, Dullah Omar, during April 2000.
In his opening address to the Congress of the International Association of Hydrogeologists in Cape Town, Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, Mr Ronnie Kasrils, confirmed that South Africa would have to make increasing use of its groundwater resources in order to balance water supply with demand, especially in meeting the needs of the poor.
The Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) is exhibiting at AutoAfrica, along with a number of service providers who are part of the AIDC network. These include the University of Pretoria, Technikon Pretoria, Technical College of Soshanguve, Technikon Northern Gauteng, Mobility, Land Mobility Technology and the CSIR.
CSIR President and CEO, Dr Geoff Garrett, will be taking up the position of Chief Executive of Australia¿s leading science and technology institution, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), early in the new year. The CSIRO is one of the largest and most diverse scientific organisations in the world, with a staff of 6500 and a turnover of R3 billion.
Environmental management in South Africa has been formalised with the adoption of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA). This act states that everyone has a fundamental right to an environment which is not harmful to health or well-being. There are also increasing demands from the public for improved air quality management in South Africa.
The first Annual Conference of the Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) is being hosted by the CSIR National Product Development Centre (NPDC) on 8-9 November 2000 at the CSIR Conference Centre, Pretoria.
The South African Constitution guarantees all citizens the basic right to access clean water, but the recent cholera outbreak in the Eshowe and Empangeni areas of KwaZulu-Natal has once more thrown into sharp relief the urgency of extending access to safe drinking water to rural areas.
South Africa¿s first integrated tourism package being developed by the CSIR¿s Roads and Transport Technology (Transportek), in a joint venture with Satour and in co-operation with private sector companies has been successfully launched in Hannover, Germany during the international "Expo 2000", with approximately 40 million visitors expected over a five month period commencing in June.
