The Vice-Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Prof. Francisca Oladipo, and the lecturers of the university attended the International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development (IYBSSD) Roundtable virtually via Zoom Meeting in the Conference room.
The program was facilitated by Prof. Himla Soodyall, the Executive Officer of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF). The opening remark was given by Mr. Imraan Patel who is the Deputy Director-General for Research Development Support in the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI).
Prof. Jonathan Jansen, the president of ASSAF delivered a presentation captioned: Interdisciplinary between Basic Sciences and the Social Sciences and Humanities in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The presentations in the virtual Roundtable include: “Using basic science to accelerate innovation to achieve the SDGs” as delivered by Dr. Sudesh Shivarasu, the Co-chair of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).
Dr. Beverly Damonse, the Group Executive of Science Engagement and Corporate Relations, National Research Foundation (NRF) delivered a presentation on “Using science to inspire the next generation of scientists”.
The last presentation which focused on “Public Engagement of Science” was delivered by Dr. Nnditshedzeni Eric Maluta, the Head of the Department and Coordinator of Vuwana Science Resource Centre, University of Venda.
The presentations in the IYBSSD roundtable were moderated by Prof. Stephanie Burton, the Vice President of ASSAF Council, Royal Society Council of South Africa, and the University of Pretoria.
The Executive Director of Strategy, Planning, and Partnerships for NRF, Dr. Aldo Stoebel gave the closing comments after the question-and-answer session while Prof. Himla Soodyall spoke on the way forward.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Oladipo urged the lecturers who attended the conference to not put restrictions on the coverage of their academic papers but allow inputs from other aspects of sciences such as social sciences in the discourse of their papers.
