The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions Professional Registration of Scientists Women in Nuclear Conference 23 August 2018 Dr Gerda Botha Pr. Sci. Nat. Chairperson

Contents Legislative Mandate of SACNASP Council Objectives Background to the Fields of Practice and the VA’s SACNASP Pillars (Regulator, Enabler, Advisor) Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Registration

South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions A statutory body established under the Natural Scientific Professions Act 2003 (Act no. 27 of 2003) Registering scientist in three categories – Professional Natural Scientist Certificated Natural Scientist Candidate Natural Scientist The Council is mandated as the Accounting Authority to implement the provisions of the Act, under the oversight of the Minister of Science and Technology.

Purpose of the Act To provide for a credible professional registration and regulatory body for natural scientists to establish, direct, sustain and ensure a high level of professionalism and ethical conscience in the natural scientific professions sector. To improve standards of services rendered by professionals, maintain their integrity, enhance their status and manage liabilities attendant to the practice of natural science professions.

SACNASP Mission and Vision To be the leading Council for registration, development and advancement of the Natural Scientific Professions in South Africa. Mission To provide an efficient statutory Council for the recruitment, registration and development of Natural Scientific Professionals to ensure high quality services for social benefit and economic growth.

Ministerial Directive The Hon Mrs. Naledi Pandor, MP, Minister of Science and Technology at the inauguration of the new Council of SACNASP on the 25th June 2015 was clear about what she required of SACNASP. “SACNASP should not be considered merely as a regulatory and registration body. It should also help DST to enhance South Africa’s standing insofar as the natural scientific professions are concerned”

SACNASP Strategic Objectives (2017 -2022) To proactively advise Government and relevant stakeholders on the contributions and role of the Natural Scientific Professions in South Africa To register and regulate natural science professionals To promote SACNASP and the natural science professions in South Africa To promote the professional development and transformation of the natural science sector of South Africa. To foster a culture of good corporate governance in relation to the Council.

Fields of Practice - examples of industry application areas Relating to Agriculture & Food Security: Agricultural Science Animal Science Extension Science Water Resource Science Food Science Microbiological Science Soil Science Toxicological Science Relating to Mining/Environmental/Conservation Atmospheric Science Geological Science Geospatial Science Environmental Science Ecological Science Aquatic Science Conservation Science Earth Science Relating to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), Energy, and Commercial Sector: Chemical Science Physical Science Mathematical Science Specified Science Statistical Science Relating to other areas of the Bio/Green Economy and Indigenous Knowledge: Biological Science Botanical Science Material Science Zoological Science

Voluntary Associations (VA) Academy of Science of South Africa Anatomic Society of Southern Africa The Institute of Information Technology Professional South Africa Entomological Society of Southern Africa Grassland Society of Southern Africa Operations Research Society of Southern Africa (ORSSA) Soil Science Society of South Africa South African Mathematical Society South African Society for Agricultural Extension South African Society of Crop Production South African Statistical Association South African Wildlife Management Association Southern African Genetics Society Southern African Geophysical Association Southern African Society for Plant Pathology Southern African Society of Aquatic Scientists Southern African Weed Science Society The Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA) The Physiology Society of Southern Africa The South African Association of Physicists in Medicine and Biology The South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST) The South African Association of Botanists The South African Chemical Institute (SACI) The South African Institute of Ecologists & Environmental Scientists (SAIEES) the South African Institute of Engineering & Environmental Geologists (SAIEG) The South African Institute of Physics (SAIP) The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) The South African Society for Enology and Viticulture (SASEV) The South African Society for Horticultural Science The South African Society for Microbiology The South African Society of Atmospheric Sciences The South African Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology The Southern African Institute of Forestry The Toxicology Society of South Africa Water Institute of South Africa (WISA) Zoological Society of South Africa (ZSSA) National Institute for Explosives Technology South African Wetland Society National Association for Clean Air Institute of Certificated and Chartered Statisticians of South Africa (ICCSSA) Society of South African Geographers Institute of Environmental and Recreation Management Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA)

Current SACNASP Membership Database of 12 500 registered scientists 45 Voluntary Associations Aligned to SACNASP Aligned to the NSI network Creating opportunities to contribute to national agenda Building platforms for networking

Year on year registration by gender

SACNASP Pillars Regulator Enabler Adviser Quality and Safety Continuing Professional Development Candidate Mentoring Phase Adviser To Government To Voluntary Associations

Regulation

SONA 2018 “We urge professional bodies and regulatory authorities to take action against members who are found to have acted improperly and unethically.” (Quotes from His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa President of the Republic of South Africa at SONA 2018)

WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY? Natural Scientists provide a service to the public. The public has a right to be protected. The Profession has a right to be protected

Practice of Professional Science The practice of professional science is the performing of any activity that requires application of the principles of the sciences, and that concerns the safeguarding of Public welfare Life Health Property Economic interest The environment

Practice of Professional Science This may include: Investigations Interpretations Evaluations Consultations Management of discovery and development

NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS ACT OF 2003 Section 18 (2) A person may not practise in any of the fields of practice listed in Schedule I unless he or she is registered ……. Section 20 (1) Only a registered person may practise in a consulting capacity.

Benefits of registration Peer recognition Public confidence Relationship with the voluntarily associations International recognition Marketability Personal Development Networking – link with Government National voice for the Scientists

Code of Conduct Speaks to the professional behaviour of the Registered Scientist “Conduct themselves in such a way as to uphold the dignity, standing and reputation of the natural science professions” Compiled in conjunction with the VAs Enforceable by the NSP Act

Enabling

The Competent Scientist Appropriate Training at the right level Adequate and Relevant work Experience Well developed Communication Skills Strategic and Management Skills Ethical Behaviour and aware of Legislation High attention to detail and Quality of Work These are some of the key attributes SACNASP believes are important to be recognised as a competent scientist

COMPETENCIES (CPD skills) Appropriate scientific skills Exposure to field of practice Communication (written and verbal) Legal/Ethical training Management Interpersonal Skills Knowledge of Technology

CPD/Networking Sessions Continuing Professional Development/Networking Session at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station (20 September 2017) and at the Tsogo Sun, Elangeni Maharani, (12 December 2017).

Engagement at SFSA 2017 Topic 1: Role of a professional registering body and its constituent voluntary associations in the National Systems of Innovation (NSI). Topic 2: Determining competency of professional natural scientists.

Outcomes of SFSA 2107 Engagement Greater interaction between SACNASP, SAQA and CHE on qualifications VAs need to be more involved in CPD for QA Changing trends in the job market need to be monitored Greater support is needed for human capacity development of scientists and especially school educators. Focus on QA, Technology, Engineering and mathematics education. Professional registration needs to be emphasized at an early stage in science careers The NSP Act needs to be substantially revised to regulate non-registered scientists.

Student Empowerment -Free Enrolment of students at HEIs This was crucial to encourage students to access networks within SACNASP and assist in their careers This is for a defined period to assist students access professional networks Creates a pipeline for the Candidate Mentoring Programme (CMP) Marketing company (HDI Youth Marketeers) appointed and roll-out has begun with two institutions targeted a year.

Free Student Enrolment Universities Date University Number of students enrolled 5 - 6 February 2018 University of Johannesburg 215 12 - 13 February 2018 Tshwane University of Technology 525 15 - 16 February 2018 University of Pretoria 221 19 - 20 February 2018 University of Free State 223 21 - 22 February 2018 Central University of Technology 56

Science Festivals at Schools 4th Annual Rural Festival that was held at Tivumbeni Multipurpose Centre, Nkowankowa, Limpopo Province from 11-15 September 2017. P-STEM Foundation hosted the first Science Festival in Rustenburg, North West Province on 14 – 15 October 2017.

Advising

MINISTERIAL DIRECTIVE “the practice of science, technology and innovation is a growing area of work for South Africa. In this regard, the SA Government is determined to make significant investment in this sector as it is believed that it is a driver for growth in the future.” “DST would expect from SACNASP greater knowledge of the basic sciences and advice from time to time as to what the DST needs to do to enhance the natural scientific professions in South Africa”

SACNASP VA Report Voluntary Associations accredited to SACNASP were requested to submit a report to the SACNASP Council Some of the areas covered include: Training, work experience etc. Employment of the members of the Association. Key highlights and challenges the field is experiencing that SACNASP and DST should focus on. Areas in the field that government can assist with. The Report was launched and handed to the Minister on 14 June 2018. It will be published with the HSRC to ensure greater accessibility

Women on the SACNASP Council Dr Gerda Botha Prof Jacky Galpin Prof Igle Gledhill Dr Phillia Vukea Dr Wendy Ngoma Dr Juanita van Heerden Prof Mary Gulumian Ms Thulisile Mashanda Ms Matuloe Masemola (until recent Dr Phethiwe Matutu)

Recognision for Women in Science DST’s Women in Science Awards: Awards for Distinguished Woman Researchers Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences Humanities and Social Sciences Awards for Distinguished Young Woman Researchers Awards for Research and Innovation Distinguished Woman Researcher Distinguished Young Woman Researcher DST Fellowships Four current master's students: 2 in natural and engineering sciences, 1 in human and social sciences (HSS), and 1 in indigenous knowledge systems (IKS). Four current doctoral students: 2 in natural sciences, 1 in HSS, and 1 in IKS. TATA Africa Scholarships for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology Three master's students in disciplines where the participation of women is low. Three doctoral students in disciplines where the participation of women is low.

African Women in Science Science Forum South Africa – 7-8 December 2017 (Gender Sensitive Research – A Global Imperative) Photo – Mail and Guardian

Continuing Professional Development

Continuing Professional Development The CPD Programme was launched on 1 April 2017 In order to comply with SACNASP’s CPD policy, registered scientists need to accumulate 25 CPD points over a five-year period in order to be eligible for re-registration. These points can be gained through a number of activities including attending conferences, belonging to a Voluntary Association, assisting SACNASP as a referee or as a member of a committee. Substantial effort has been put into explaining to VAs how the system works. SACNASP is also hosting workshops around South Africa to address the concerns of registered natural scientists.  

CPD System Requirements Category 1 – Compulsory Category Developmental Activities Validated CPD training programmes 1 CPD credit per year (10 hrs = 1 CPD credit) Category 2 Work based Activities 400 hrs = 1 CPD Credit Mentoring 50 hrs = 1 CPD Credit

System Requirements A total of 25 points over 5 years Category 3 Individual Activities Membership of a recognised Voluntary Association 1 CPD credit per year Other Activities for example research, further studies, meetings 1 CPD credit (10 hours) A total of 25 points over 5 years

Registration

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION Pr.Sci.Nat. Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR EQUIVALENT plus three years experience. (80% Natural Science Content) RPL (10 years work experience) Cert.Sci.Nat. Recognised 2 or 3 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT and between one to five years experience. (50% Natural Science Content) Cand.Sci.Nat. Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR 2 or 3 year DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT with no work experience

HOW DO I APPLY? www.sacnasp.org.za

Enkosi Ha khensa Dankie Re a leboga Ro livhuwa Siyathokoza Siyabonga Thank you