While the National Science and Technology Forum‘s (NSTF’s) discussion forums showcased the work achieved and policy development in key areas, more had to be done in terms of lobbying for the implementation of key government policies, NSTF executive director Jansie Niehaus said on Friday.
Speaking at the forum’s annual general meeting, she highlighted that the objectives of the discussion forums included engaging on public policies and the cross-cutting concerns of the science, engineering, technology and innovation (Seti) sectors, information-sharing among researchers, and for government to clarify Seti-related policies and government initiatives.
However, more had to be done in terms of following up on the concerns noted in these meetings, she said, stating that it was necessary for the NSTF to create multidisciplinary teams to conduct policy analysis.
“We [also] need to work with the Parliamentary portfolio committees to make the voice of the science community heard,” Niehaus stated, adding that this was a task that would have to be taken on by the entire NSTF community.
AWARDS
Meanwhile, Niehaus also noted that the call for nominations for the 2014/15 NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards would be launched at the end of this month.
The theme of the 2014/15 awards would be “Light”, coinciding with the United Nations’ declaration of 2015 as the “Year of Light”.
The deadline for the registration of an intent to nominate someone for these awards was set for December, following which the final deadline for the submission of full nominations was March 6, 2015.