https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

South African astronomer to get Edinburgh Medal

8th February 2016

By: African News Agency

  

Font size: - +

Kevin Govender will become the first South African to receive a Medal at the 2016 Edinburgh International Science Festival next month, the National Research Foundation announced on Monday.

Govender’s contribution took shape through the creation and practical establishment of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) office in Cape Town, which integrates the pursuit of scientific knowledge with social development for and with those most in need.

Under the pioneering stewardship of Govender, its first director, the Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD) has successfully harnessed astronomy in the service of global education and capacity building.

Launched in 2011 by the Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor, the office is hosted at the South African Astronomical Observatory in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the South African Department of Science and Technology.

“Besides its technological, scientific and cultural contributions, astronomy fundamentally gives us the perspective we need to change the world,” said Govender.

“It is amazing to see how this vision has rallied people and organisations from just about every continent. It has been, and continues to be a journey driven by many with a shared passion for both science and society.”

Govender and the president of the IAU, Silvia Torres Peimbert, will be presented with the Edinburgh Medal at Chambers of the City of Edinburgh Council, where they will give their winning address: Astronomy for a Better World in the presence of Lord (Martin) Rees, the Astonomer Royal.

Lord Provost of City of Edinburgh Council, Donald Wilson said the difference Govender and the IAU have made in developing countries is astronomical.

“Govender has been leading the Office for Astronomy for Development since 2011 and has overseen the expansions from its roots in Cape Town to be extended to a further nine regional offices in Armenia, China, Columbia, Ethiopia, Jordan, Nigeria, Portugal, Thailand and Zambia,” said Wilson.

Director of Edinburgh International Science Festival, Dr Simon Gage said; “The Edinburgh Medal is awarded to an individual or an organisation who have not only discovered great science but have contributed more broadly to society. It’s an unusual award that recognises two dimensions of the work – the scientific and the social consequences. I’ve followed the work of Govender and the IAU for many years, the positive impact in the schools, universities and communities where they operate is incredible and helping to build a better world”.

Govender, who is from the Cape Town-based OAD and the IAU, will be jointly awarded an Edinburgh Medal in recognition of his wide reaching contribution to science on March 30.

Edited by African News Agency

Comments

Showroom

John Thompson
John Thompson

John Thompson, the leader in energy and environmental solutions through value engineering and innovation, provides the following: design, engineer,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East
Weir Minerals Africa and Middle East

Weir Minerals Europe, Middle East and Africa is a global supplier of excellent minerals solutions, including pumps, valves, hydrocyclones,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.257 0.316s - 164pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now