SAASTA – South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA)

National Science Week kicks off in Bloemfontein

The 2024 National Science Week (NSW) launched successfully at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein on 28 September. More than 1 500 learners from surrounding schools attended the launch event which also attracted leading scientists, upcoming scientists from schools in parts of the country, senior Government officials, and various innovation companies.

NRF-SAASTA making science accessible at the Presidential Imbizo

NRF-SAASTA together with the CSIR, UNISA Science Engagement Centre, North West University Science Centre and North West Centre for Science and Innovation represented the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) at the Presidential Imbizo that took place at Ikageng sports Complex, Potchefstroom (Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipality) North West province on 20 October 2023, under the theme “Leave No One Behind”.

Advancing Science Engagement Partnerships in Europe:EUSEA Conference 2024

Dr Mamoeletsi Mosia, the Managing Director of NRF-SAASTA, recently participated in the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA) Conference 2024, held in Georgia in Eastern Europe. This annual conference is a significant event for professionals and organisations dedicated to enhancing public engagement with science across Europe and beyond.

The Great Jupiter - Saturn Conjunction Surprise

The discovery of the PARROT pulsar by researchers using the MeerKAT radio telescope was a significant breakthrough in astronomy. This revelation, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society journal ,showcased the power of MeerKAT and hinted at more exciting discoveries to come.

The Dynamics of Galaxy Evolution

The Universe is home to many galaxies, each with its own unique family, morphology, and shape. These galaxies can be classified broadly into three main categories: spiral , elliptical, and irregular. Interestingly, the colour of these galaxies is either blue or red, and this colour conveys important information about the galaxy’s age and the rate at which it forms new stars.

Changing Landscape of Science Journalism in SA

Science journalism is a vital component of informing the public about scientific advancements and discoveries.However, today’s changing media landscape has resulted in a significant challenge for science journalism.Economic pressures have led to a reduction in resources available for news reporting......

To read all the stories or download the full NRF Science Matters Magazine Vol 6 Issue 1

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SAASTA In The News

Unemployed Science, Engineering, Technology and Journalism Graduates Required to Volunteer in the DSTI’s National Youth Service Programme

On behalf of the Department of Science, technology and Innovation (DSTI), the National Research Foundation’s South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) invites the unemployed graduates described below to participate in the DSTI-National Youth Service (NYS) programme over a 12-month period. About 200 graduates will be accommodated.

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Yolanda Mbalentle Mngcongo Triumphs as FameLab South Africa 2024 Winner with Groundbreaking Research on Indigenous Medicine

Pretoria, 20 September 2024 – Moved by her grandmother’s suffering from a hospital acquired infection, Yolanda Mbalentle Mngcongo took a deep dive into her heritage to explore how indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants can be combined with nanoscience to combat modern healthcare challenges.

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