Academy of Science South Africa 2005/6 Annual Report

ASSAfProgramme 3Implementation of the evaluation process: ASSAf recently held a Double Symposium on evidencebasedadvice (see 3.7). The goal of the Symposium was to bring South African scientists and nationalpolicy makers together for a dialogue on the potential role of science academies in supportinggovernment decision making. The Symposium was aimed to provide opportunities for relationshipbuilding, networking and shared learning on the potential for evidence-based advice to inform SouthAfrica’s most significant public policy challenges. To evaluate success towards achieving its goals in theSymposium, evaluation forms were handed out to those who attended in order to obtain useful guidanceon shortcomings of the approach. A similar evaluation form was handed out during an IAP-supportedinternational workshop on science teacher education organised in Gauteng by ASSAf staff. ASSAf hasthus begun to implement monitoring and evaluation systems in its activities.Ms Rudzani Ramaite is the designated monitoring and evaluation officer within ASSAf, reporting toDr Xola Mati as Projects Director and Prof Wieland Gevers (MASSAf) as Executive Officer.Lessons learned, and recommendations to other ASADI participant African science academiesThe first year of the ASADI partnership has brought home the following:Careful attention has to be given to the balance between an Academy (as reflected by its seniorscholarly membership/fellowship, together with its official governance organ, the Council) on theone hand, and the Academy office (with its Executive Officer, Projects/Programmes staff and otherofficers fulfilling a variety of essential functions) on the other. Enthusiastic and capable staff maysucceed in driving the Academy agenda and business, and are indispensable for success, but theCouncil (office-bearers) and Academy members/fellows must play a very active leading role for theraison d’etre of an Academy’s niche in a country’s science system to be realised. Real authority flowsfrom the independence, the high scholarly quality and the multi-disciplinarity of an Academy, and cantherefore be successfully and legitimately applied to addressing national problems. Fostering a goodbalance between office effort and the broad “Academy” is a fundamental requirement.60 Promoting Excellence in Science for Society