[X]

Students to fly SA flag high at supercomputing competition in Germany

The annual CHPC conference, which took place in Cape Town recently, provided a platform for South African students to showcase their skills in building supercomputers and their innovative ideas on how to prevent cybercrimes through the Student Cluster Competition, and the Student Cyber-Security challenge.

This year, following the theme of the conference on how High Performance Computing (HPC) transforms for the future, growing of women participation in HPC was prominent. This was supported by the introduction of a sponsorship for an outstanding woman in the Student Cluster Challenge.

CSIR student researcher reaches for the stars

Keolebogile (Lebo) Sebogodi is one of the CSIR's researchers who are making inroads into the challenge of creating value from industrial waste, specifically Kraft pulp mills. She is a resilient final-year PhD student who is dead set on making a difference, despite the challenges she has had to overcome.

When Sebogodi (31), who hails from Lobatla Village in the North-West, commenced her studies in BSc in biology and chemistry at the North-West University in 2005, she had to overcome hurdles similar to those that many young first-year students face every year.

CSIR and SANSA join forces to support industrial development in space science

The CSIR and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) will continue to work together in fostering research and supporting industrial development in space sciences and technologies.

On the 16th of October 2018, the two organisations renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see greater support in strengthening the implementation of the space strategies of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the African Union (AU). The first MoU between the CSIR and SANSA was signed in November of 2013.

Modernising mining through partnerships and transformation

Mining is a critical industry for South Africa as the country works towards the achievement of the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.  According to the NDP, the country can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people, growing an inclusive economy, building capabilities, enhancing the capacity of the state, and promoting leadership and partnerships throughout society.

To give effect to this vision, and to ensure that mining does not become a “sunset sector”, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Department of Mineral Resources have partnered to launch the Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP).

CSIR female researchers at the forefront of improving health care in SA

The CSIR has developed a diabetes-detecting chip to monitor blood sugar levels by analysing breath. The breath analyser technology aims to supplement, and eventually replace, the current invasive “finger prick” glucometer for monitoring diabetes in both young and old patients with a completely pain-free solution through a breath analyser based on nanowire sensors.

The breath analyser technology was among some of the technologies displayed at the media briefing held in Pretoria.

Women in science, technology and innovation honoured

The Department of Science and Technology rolled out the red carpet for women achievers in science, technology and innovation at a gala dinner in Limpopo on Thursday evening, 23 August.

The South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA) was held under the theme, "100 years of Mama Albertina Sisulu: Women united in moving South Africa forward", emphasising Sisulu's great courage as a unifying leader during the apartheid era. In 1956, Sisulu was instrumental in leading about 20 000 women from across South Africa to march on the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the law requiring black women to carry passes.

Government launches research chairs focused on waste management

Government has launched South Africa's first ever research chairs on waste management, aimed at transforming the sector while contributing to the country's socio-economic development.

The new chairs under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) – the South African Research Chair in Waste and Climate, and in Waste and Society – were launched in Pretoria today.

CSIR scientist becomes South Africa’s rising star

CSIR senior scientist and advanced material testing lab manager, Georges Mturi, is South Africa’s rising star. Mturi scooped the Standard Bank Rising Star Award in the Service: Public & Private category at an event held at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg recently.  

The Rising Star Awards recognise inspirational and passionate individuals in South Africa who have a capacity for achievement and success.

CSIR and Gold Yard partner to scale up industrial development in Africa

The CSIR and Gold Yard International Exchange Service (Gold Yard), an organisation representing various provincial bureau of China State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, have signed an agreement which is set to boost industrial development on the African continent.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by CSIR CEO, Dr Thulani Dlamini, and Gold Yard General Manager, Mr Anquan Chi, in Pretoria, on Wednesday, 25 July 2018.