04 December 2012
The opening ceremony of SA-YSSP featured several distinguished speakers. Participants and invited guests heard from Derek Hanekom, the Republic of South Africa Minister of Science and Technology, and Professor Jonathan Jansen, Rector of the University of the Free State.
IIASA Director & CEO Prof. Pavel Kabat represented IIASA at the ceremony, along with Special Advisor to the Director/CEO Chin-Min Lee and IIASA Secretary Margaret Goud Collins.
Dr. Gansen Pillay, who heads two of the three main research divisions at IIASA's National Member Organization for South Africa, the National Research Foundation (NRF), was also present at the opening. Dr. Pillay represents the NRF on the IIASA Council.
A full list of participants and advisors (PDF) is available on the UFS Web site.
Future ventures: South Africa and IIASA
The event was an opportunity for Kabat to converse with Minister Hanekom, with respect to enhancing collaboration between South Africa and IIASA. A number of possible joint ventures were discussed, specifically:
Dr. Kabat called the SA-YSSP "a big success story right from the start," and expressed delight at the closer working relationship developing between IIASA and institutions in South Africa.
Background
The SA-YSSP is organized jointly by the South African National Research Foundation, an IIASA National Member Organization, the Republic of South Africa Department of Science and Technology, the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, and IIASA.
The young scientists will carry out research projects on topics related to IIASA's research, and each will be guided by two scientists: one from South Africa and one from IIASA.
The SA-YSSP schedule also comprises a full program of lectures, workshops, and recreational activities, just like its counterpart in Austria.
From left: IIASA Director & CEO Pavel Kabat, Minister Derek Hanekom, and Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Free State, Jonathan Jansen
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
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