News
CSIR research into dynamic spectrum and future internet networks continues to garner international recognition; this after a paper co-written by the CSIR and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) won Best Paper at this year’s IST-Africa Week in Namibia. In 2015, the CSIR’s research into dynamic spectrum management was also awarded Best Paper at the International Conference on Internet in Malaysia.
South Africa ratified the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 1997 to promote international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought. World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is commemorated annually on 17 June. This year’s theme, ‘Our land. Our home. Our future.’ speaks volumes to the central role productive land can play in turning the growing tide of migrants abandoning unproductive land, into communities and nations that are stable, secure and sustainable into the future.
A harmful Algal blooms (HABS) detection tool, developed by the CSIR, has recently gone live. This is the first Decision Support tool on the Oceans and Coast Information Management System (OCIMS) to be made available to users. This initiative forms part of Government’s Operation Phakisa Oceans Economy policy implementation. The CSIR is supporting the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in building South Africa’s Ocean and Coast Information Management System.
In a speech that illustrated the relevance and responsibility of the CSIR in using science, technology and innovation to reverse the plight of marginalised and excluded South Africans, the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, outlined her Department’s priorities in her budget vote speech in Parliament on 16 May 2017.
CSIR Biomanufacturing Industry Development Centre (BIDC): Call for Expression of Interest (EoI)
The EoI call is targeted at entrepreneurs and SMMEs entering the biomanufacturing sector to grow and expand biomanufacturing capacity to meet market demands. Read more...
South Africa’s foremost climate experts met at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform in Cape Town recently to discuss the drought condition that is being experienced in the Western Cape currently.
Part of their deliberations was the possibilities that the 2017 winter season in the Western Cape region may be drier than normal or relatively normal - none of which will alleviate the current low reservoir levels.
The coordination of space activities across the continent is vital for unlocking the promise that space holds for sustainable development, as well as economic growth, said the Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs Naledi Pandor, in her opening address of the 37th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment (ISRSE).
The Sheffield University-led strategic research network partnership begins its research into digital data for development with the initial meeting held at the CSIR. The newly established strategic research network partnership to explore the role of digital technologies and participatory approaches in international development had its kick-off workshop at CSIR Meraka Institute on 24-26 April.
CSIR principal researcher Dr Louis Celliers has co-edited a new book and valuable resource in the management of the oceans, seas and coasts of the world.
Titled “Geoinformatics for marine and coastal management”, the book responds to the 14th Sustainable Development Goal: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources. The book represents an important stepping stone in the journey into a better future, where sophisticated analytical frameworks are evolving to probe and determine the interrelationships of the oceans.