Towards a National Strategy for the
Mathematical Sciences
A national discussion forum for:
- Identifying the most urgent areas of attention in terms of national development of mathematical sciences.
- Concretizing challenges in these areas and determining an innovative action plan for addressing these challenges within effective workstreams.
- Determining and planning the form of engagement that needs to take place with Universities, Schools and other entities that are stakeholders in the development of mathematical sciences in South Africa, for: further input on challenges and suitable action plans for addressing them, and for their contribution towards the workstreams that will be tasked to address the challenges.
First formal discussions in Stellenbosch, 12-13 June 2023
Venue: Protea by Marriott Hotel Dorpshuis & Spa
Arrival: 11 June
Departure: 14 June
Proceedings:
Delegates:
Official representatives:
AIMS
- David Holgate - Western Cape (also representing NGA(MaSS) and SAMF)
AMESA
- Alwyn Olivier - Western Cape
- Setati Manare (President) - Limpopo
- Jojo Zingiswa - Gauteng
NGA(MaSS)
- Freedom Gumedze - Western Cape
- Loyiso Nongxa (Chairperson of the Strategy and Steering Committee) - Gauteng
NITheCS
- Francesco Petruccione - Western Cape
- Alfeus Mesias - Western Cape
SAGS
- Sudan Hansraj (President) - KwaZulu-Natal
SAMS
- Zurab Janelidze (President) - Western Cape
- Boitumelo Moletsane - Gauteng
- Cerene Rathilal - KwaZulu-Natal
SAMF
- Nico Govender (Board Chair) - Eastern Cape
- Ellie Olivier - Gauteng
SAMSA
- Farai Mhlanga (President) - Limpopo
- Farai Nyabadza - Math & Applied Math HoD, University of Johannesburg
SANUM
- Nick Hale - Western Cape
SASA
- Warren Brettenny - Eastern Cape
- Inger Fabris-Rotelli (President) - Gauteng
- Trudie Sandrock - Western Cape
Early Career Academics:
- Anastacia Dlamini - Gauteng
- Thama Duba - Gauteng
- Simo Mthethwa - KwaZulu-Natal
Guests:
- Karin Howell - Women in Math (SAMS)
- Jonathan Jansen - ASSAf President
- Sophie Marques - Founder and Managing Director of Wisaarkhu
- Simiso Moyo - Math & Applied Math HoD, University of Venda
- Sibusiso Moyo - DVC Research, Stellenbosch University
- Ingrid Rewitzky - Math Science HoD, Science Vice-Dean Teaching & Learning, Stellenbosch University
- Bernardo Rodriguez - Focus Area Coordinator, CoE Mass
Notes in progress (feel free to leave your comments):
Program
11 June
16:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Arrival
18:30 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Dinner: informal discussions over dinner table around the needs for a healthy national development of mathematical sciences
12 June
6:30-8:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Breakfast
8:00-9:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Reading of written material provided in preparation for the meeting
9:00-9:05 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Welcome and acknowledgements
by Inger Fabris-Rotelli
9:05-9:10 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Opening and context
by Loyiso Nongxa
9:10-9:15 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Overview of the program
by Zurab Janelidze
9:15-9:45 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Brief introduction of participating entities
by their official representatives
9:45-10:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Group photo
10:00-11:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Debating three most urgent areas of attention in terms of national development of mathematical sciences. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
11:00-11:15 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Coffee break
11:15-12:30 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Formulating three broad areas of national development in mathematical sciences that require urgent attention. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
12:30-13:30 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Lunch
13:30-15:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Concretizing challenges in the first area of development. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
15:00-15:15 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Coffee break
15:15-16:00
Getting to the Neelsie Cinema
16:00-17:00 at the SU Neelsie Cinema
South African Mathematical Sciences Research Landscape in 2050
NITheCS Colloquium talk
by Loyiso Nongxa at the Neelsie Cinema.
Introduction by Francesco Petruccione and David Holgate
17:00-17:30 at the SU Neelsie Cinema
NITheCS reception at the Neelsie Cinema
17:30-18:15
Returning to the Hotel Dorpshuis
18:15-19:00
Input from
Michelle Namachemo
19:00-21:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Dinner
21:00-21:30
Words of thanks
led by Sibusiso Moyo
Programm
13 June
6:30-8:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Breakfast
8:00-10:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Concretizing challenges in the second area of development. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
10:00-11:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Input from Jonathan Jansen. Session chair: Loyiso Nongxa
11:00-11:30 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Coffee break
11:30-13:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Concretizing challenges in the third area of development. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
13:00-14:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Lunch
14:30-16:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Brainstorming work streams. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
16:00-16:15 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Coffee break
16:15-17:30 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Challenges and action plans. Discussion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
17:30-19:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Next steps for this forum and conclusion led by Inger Fabris-Rotelli. Writers: Zurab Janelidze and Cerene Rathilal.
19:00 at the Hotel Dorpshuis
Dinner
14 June
6:30-9:30
Breakfast
End of the meeting
Mathematical Sciences Strategic Alliance