The 2018 Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) will take place in Pretoria from 12 to 14 December, with president Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the keynote address.
Now in its fourth year, the event, organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is intended to ignite conversation on the role of science, technology and innovation in society.
It will take place over two-and-a-half days, with the opening event at the University of Pretoria, while the rest of the forum will be hosted at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Pretoria.
Daan du Toit, the DST's deputy director-general (DDG) for international cooperation resources, says SFSA is a marketplace of ideas.
"The core mission and objective of the SFSA is to have a vibrant debate on the role of science in society; not confining the discussion to a closed community, but making it accessible to everyone with an interest in what role science should play in society."
This year, says Du Toit, strong focus will be on the fourth industrial revolution. Topics will include harnessing the fourth industrial revolution to advance sustainable development goals in Africa, artificial intelligence and the future of work.
"This year, what is special is that we have partnered with the African Academy of Sciences which recognises eminent scientists from across Africa. It is the continental version of our Academy of Science of South Africa."
The DDG adds that this year there will be emphasis on the youth, particularly youth entrepreneurship and youth in science.
SFSA has succeeded in putting local science, technology and innovation on the global map, he notes.
"The forum has earned its reputation as Africa's premier science event. It helps African countries to shape policies and strategies to deal with open science, which is currently a major policy debate in the science community."
For more information and to register, click here.
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