Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

ASSAfProgramme 3Seeks to mobilize and applyscientific thinking and knowledgepromises to generate a significant new job market in South Africa, addressing one of the most serious socio-economicproblems facing our country.It needs to be emphasised that Prof Alberts’ invention has relied on a deep and subtle understanding of thephysics of materials, as well as a gift for innovative thought and exceptional laboratory skills. The process thatDr Alberts has invented solves a problem that has plagued the world’s leading researchers in the field for manyyears. He has been sought out to address audiences on the invention on various international platforms.InterAcademy Medical Panel (IAMP)Prof A Mbewu (MASSAf) represents ASSAf on the IAMP, which considers health-related issues at aninternational level. He was recently elected Co-Chair of this panel, and will be supported by ASSAf staffin meeting the demanding obligations of this leadership position.International Human Rights Networkof Academies and Learned Societies (IHRN)Professor Chabani Manganyi (MASSAf) represents ASSAf in the IHRN, which mobilises internationalsupport for scientists who are unjustly treated or prevented from practising science on political grounds.Prof A Mbewu (MASSAf)Represents ASSAf on the InterAcademy MedicalPanel (IAMP), of which he is co-chairThe African Science Academies Development Initiative (ASADI)This initiative was launched in late 2004/early 2005 by the United States National Academies (USNA), andcame at a critical time for the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). With a short history, havingbeen established as a voluntary association in 1996 and given statutory recognition by the South AfricanParliament as late as 2001, the Academy has had to establish its credentials and spread its wings in acrowded system of national science institutions with many overlapping functions and aspirations. Whatapplied to South Africa, applied equally to the continental science scene, with the recent establishment ofthe Network of African Science Academies (NASAC) representing one of the first signs that the “academy32 Promoting Excellence in Science for Society