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The South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions Presentation to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology, Cape Town, 24 October 2012 Dr Rolf Becker Pr.Sci.Nat. Executive Director 2

NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS ACT OF 2003 The current Act (No. 27 of 2003) replaced the Natural Scientific Professions Act of Act = Voluntary registration 2003 Act = Compulsory registration 3

WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY? Professionals provide a service to the public. The public has a right to be protected. 4

WHY SHOULD REGISTRATION BE NECESSARY? Professionals provide a service to the public. The profession has a right to be protected. 5

WHAT IS SACNASP’s FUNCTION? To register natural scientists. To represent the practitioners of the natural sciences and to campaign on their behalf. To ensure maintenance of acceptable standards of training. To advise the Minister on matters relating to the natural scientific professions. TO ENSURE SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE BY REGISTERED SCIENTISTS 6

Whom and what does SACNASP represent? Professional Natural Scientists The Community Wide range of Intellectual Capital A major investment in South Africa’s future “Education and research are for tomorrow, not today. These are the investments society makes in its future” ( Casey NH, Livestock Science, 2011) 7

What does SACNASP believe? That scientific evidence should be used as a matter of routine to inform decision and shape policy. That the sciences must be protected from the influences of money and politics. That the importance of knowledge, rationality, logic and deduction is paramount to our professions. 8

CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION Certificated Natural Scientist (Cert.Nat.Sci.) Candidate Natural Scientist (Cand.Nat.Sci.) Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) 9

REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTRATION Cert.Nat.Sci. Recognised 3 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT and between one to five years experience. Cand.Nat.Sci. Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT with no experience. Pr.Sci.Nat. Recognised 4 YEAR DEGREE OR DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT plus three years experience. 10

Certificated Natural Scientist Level A A recognised 3-year National Diploma (N. Dip.) or 3-year Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc.) or the equivalent thereof with a minimum of one year appropriate work experience. Level B A recognised 2- or 3-year National Diploma or the equivalent thereof, followed by 3 years of work experience in the event of the 3-year qualification and 5 years work experience in the event of the 2-year qualification. The strict requirements for the basic sciences are not considered a prerequisite for registration at this level. 11

WHY REGISTER ??? Register and be recognised ! – By Peers – Endorsed backing of unbiased Council – Public Enjoy Professional status Protect and strengthen your Profession 12

WHY REGISTER ??? (cntd.) No work identified under the Act may be done by persons who are not registered with SACNASP. Required for OSD! 13

HOW DO I REGISTER? 14

The Registration Process Complete application received Professional Advisory Committee (PAC) Registration Committee (RC) Qualifications Assessment Committee (QAC) Council Appeal Process Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 15

NUMBERS TABLE 1SACNASP numbers from 30 April April Cand Cert Prof Total Annual increase

STATISTICS TABLE 2 SACNASP age distribution for all categories from 30 April 2006 to 30 April Age distribution (%) 60-plus

STATISTICS TABLE 3 SACNASP gender distribution from 30 April 2006 to 30 April Gender (%) Male Female

STATISTICS TABLE 4 SACNASP distribution by Race from 30 April 2006 to 30 April Distribution by Race (%) White Black Asian Coloured

NUMBERS as at 1 October Certificated Natural Scientists (+28%) 453 Candidate Natural Scientists (+46%) 4562 Professional Natural Scientists (+5%) 5384 Total (+446 for year; +9%) 20

DISTRIBUTION IN FIELDS OF PRACTISE 28% Geological Science 11% Earth Science 10% Environmental Science 8% Agricultural Science 8% Animal Science 7% Chemical Science 4% Ecological Science 21

CURRENT PROJECTS Strengthen SACNASP Become more relevant Rejuvenating the Act Revising the Rules Enhancing our visibility Educate scientists and public 22

CURRENT PROJECTS Continuous Professional Development (CPD) – Geology – Animal Science Modernise registration process Streamline administration procedures Marketing campaign 23

IMPROVED SERVICE Frequent communication through regular newsletters Personal Indemnity Insurance Support conferences and symposia Regional breakfast sessions Employment opportunities through website 24

FUTURE PROJECTS Greater involvement in the development of curricula for the natural sciences Accreditation of training centres Step up media coverage Facebook Start to engage the youth 25

Thank you 26

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