Panel Discussion: Changing the Tides in Ocean Research, through Innovation, Research & Partnerships

NRF-SAIAB Panel Discussion: Changing the Tides in Ocean Research, through Innovation, Research and Partnerships
The National Research Foundation (NRF) is celebrating a major milestone in its history as it commemorates its 25th anniversary since its establishment on 1 April 1999 as a statutory body, mandated to promote and support research in South Africa. To reflect on its contribution to the science system, the NRF and its National Facilities are holding a number of events during the 2024/25 financial year in honour of its quarter century of impact as South Africa’s premier science council.
This NRF-SAIAB Panel Discussion forms part of this celebration of events to showcase the impact of the NRF on society under the theme: “Celebrating Innovation through Research and Partnerships”.
This Panel Discussion unpacks NRF-SAIAB’s Joint Marine Laboratories Programme (JML) in advancing marine research. The Principal Investigators of the JML Programme discuss how four Historically Disadvantage Institutions (HDIs) are transforming the South African ocean research space through the DSI/NRF-SAIAB funded JML Programme.
The JML PIs:
• Dr. Thembinkosi Dlaza
(Lecturer, Biological and Environmental Sciences) Walter Sisulu University (WSU) - and Principal Investigator for the Rural Coastal Sustainability Laboratory.
• Dr. Ntuthuko Masikane
(Senior Lecturer, Department of Zoology) - University of Zululand (UNIZULU) - and Principal Investigator for the Laboratory for Marine and Estuarine Ecotoxicology.
• Prof. Anusha Rajkaran
(Associate Professor, Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) - University of the Western Cape (UWC) - and Principal Investigator for the Laboratory for Microplastics and Coastal Research.
• Dr. Ntombekhaya Nqumla
(Senior Laboratory Technician Biochemistry & Microbiology) - University of Fort Hare (UFH) - working with the Principal Investigator for the Bio-economy & Bio-discovery Laboratory, Prof. Graeme Bradley.
The Panel Discussion was also hosted not only to celebrate the NRF 25 years of Innovation through Research and Partnerships, but to coincide with World Ocean Day, which is an international day that takes place annually on 8 June to catalyze collective action for a healthy ocean and a stable climate and NRF-SAIAB is positioned as an innovative leader in ocean research to develop the Biodiversity Economy and the Blue Economy.
The webinar also features two presentations about the role of the ACEP Phuhlisa Programme in transforming the lives of young researchers. For this short session we hear two speakers sharing their success stories of how they benefited from the Programme.
Panel Discussion of Thursday, 6 June 2024 @ 09:00 SAST