Exco leader for 2025: Dr Gauta Matlou
| PROJECT | ACTIVITIES | TIMELINE |
|---|---|---|
| Celebrating SAYAS Members | Creating engagements with SAYAS website, updating ORCID profiles, celebrating achievements, uploading opportunities | Continuous Across the year |
| Academic Mentorship Programme | Foundational skills, writing workshops, supervision program, grant writing, NRF rating support | May – December 2025 |
| Partnership with OWSD NEW | Youth Indaba hybrid sessions, mentorship circles, STEM to Academia panels | June 2025 |
| Entrepreneurship & Innovation NEW | Webinars, workshops, product development training for STEMI students | August – September 2025 |
| Annual Young Scientist Conference | Fundraising, organizing committee, scientific committee, participant logistics | 13-17 October 2025 |
| Postgraduate Workshops | Academic writing, research methodology, quantitative analysis workshops | July – August 2025 |
| Quantum Science Year NEW | Information sharing, podcasts, panel discussions on quantum technologies | May – December 2025 |
| SAYAS AGM Meeting | Physical Annual General Meeting for all SAYAS members | 29-30 November 2025 |
Exco leader for 2025: Dr Kamini Govender
| PROJECT | ACTIVITIES | TIMELINE |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Lindau Travel Meeting | SAYAS visibility, EXCO participation, Lindau Alumni engagement, ASSAf partnership | 25-26 June 2025 |
| SAYAS Documents Update | DC committee legislature, SAYAS constitution update | June – November 2025 |
| National Science Month | Member participation, institutional partnerships, visibility campaigns | 31 July – 5 August 2025 |
| Science Diplomacy NEW | Young Academies partnerships, “Free Scientific Research Under Threat” workshop | 14-16 October 2025 Buenos Aires/Online |
| AMASA Conference | Linking to African science community, continental networking | 17-20 November 2025 Rabat, Morocco |
| Science Forum SA | Panel for early career scientists, academic navigation strategies | 25-28 November 2025 |
Exco leader for 2025: Dr Maurine Musie
| PROJECT | ACTIVITIES | TIMELINE |
|---|---|---|
| Blogging Workshop | Science communication through blogging for masters/doctoral/postdoc researchers | 8 May 2025 |
| Pre-Lindau Outreach | Panel discussion for SAYAS visibility, ASSAf partnership | 25-26 June 2025 |
| National Science Month | High school science fairs, Eskom Expo, Sci-Bono partnerships | 31 July – 5 August 2025 |
| STEMI Materials NEW | Design educational materials for SAYAS awareness and STEMI careers | September 2025 |
| School Visits Program | 6 schools: Cape Flats, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Free State – “Story of Science” | Quarterly |
| AI in Scientific Writing NEW | Safe AI usage workshop – ChatGPT, Grammarly for research papers | October 2025 |
| Capacity Building | Stakeholder communication workshop | October 2025 |
Call for Applications/Abstracts
Annual Young Scientist Conference 2025
13-17 October 2025
The South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) invites early career researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and postgraduate students to submit abstracts for the Annual Young Scientist Conference 2025.
Important Dates
| Abstract Submission Deadline | 08 August 2025 |
| Notification of Acceptance | 1 September 2025 |
| Early Bird Registration | 15 September 2025 |
Conference Contact
For further information regarding the conference, please contact:
Mr Kholani Mbhiza
Call for Abstracts
10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum
15-17 September 2025
Brasília, Brazil
In 2025, Brazil is organizing the 10th BRICS Young Scientist Forum and the 7th BRICS Young Innovator Prize. The Forum seeks to promote initiatives and establish an integral system of international cooperation among the future practitioners of the science, technology and innovation (STI) systems of BRICS countries.
Thematic Areas
- Research on climate change mitigation and adaptation
A contribution from BRICS to the 30th Conference of the Parties on Climate Change/UNFCCC (COP30) - Science diplomacy in a changing world
The views of BRICS and the Global South - Artificial Intelligence for Societal Solutions
How can emerging technologies improve the lives of citizens in BRICS countries?
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓ South African citizen (born or naturalized) or permanent resident
- ✓ Under 40 years of age by 31 December 2025
- ✓ Doctoral student, Post-Doctoral Fellow, or young faculty with PhD
- ✓ Research interests aligned with conference themes
- ✓ Commitment to attend full duration of conference
Note: Previous participants of BRICS Young Scientist Conclaves/Forums are NOT eligible to apply.
Key Information
| Application Deadline | 31 July 2025 |
| Abstract Length | Maximum 300 words (excluding title, author, institution) |
| Language | English |
| Funding Support | International travel covered by DSTI; Local hospitality by Brazil |
Submit your two-page CV to: kholani@assaf.org.za
General Conference Information
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION | ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTH AFRICA
