South African Women in Science Awards (WISA) Dr Mathoto Thaoge

Background The DST has been implementing the South African Women in Science Awards (WISA) awards since 2003. The awards are hosted annually as part of the National Women s Month celebrations. The awards are made to women who are South African citizens or permanent residents. There is a different theme for each year informed by the - United Nations Commission Status of Women OR - Other global activities OR other national activities The theme for the 2016 WISA was Women's Empowerment and its link to sustainable development. 2014 20 years of democracy and freedom.the changing landscape of women s participation in science and technology education, training, and employment. 3

Purpose and Significance of WISA Aim to recognise and reward achievements of South African women scientists and researchers. To profile women scientists and researchers as role models for younger scientists and researchers. Encourage and reward younger women who are starting their careers. 4

Categories Awards for: Distinguished Women Researchers Distinguished Young Women Researchers Research & Innovation DST Fellowships - Master s and Doctoral students : 3X in any discipline, and 2X in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) TATA Africa - Scholarships for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology: Master s students (X3) and Doctoral students (X3) 5

DST Fellowships for postgraduate students Awarded to 8-10 women studying full-time for master s/ or doctoral degrees. Awards recognise outstanding ability and potential in research Additional funds to a postgraduate scholarship awarded by the NRF or universities or other agencies To enhance the winner s research experience and output To encourage and support more young women to complete their research degrees 6

DST Fellowships & TATA scholarships Who can apply? Master s & doctoral students South African Citizens or permanent residents Under 35 years Have been high performers in previous and Are excelling in current studies TATA - areas where participation by women is traditionally low - Agriculture, Architecture, Astronomy, Astrophysics, Computer/ Information sciences, Engineering, Mathematics and Statistics. 7

DST Fellowships CATEGORIES PRIZES (2016) Natural Sciences 2 X Masters students R30 000 2 X Doctoral students R40 000 Human and Social Sciences (HSS) 1 X Masters students R30 000 1 X Doctoral students R40 000 Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) 1 X Masters students R30 000 1 X Doctoral students R40 000. 8

TATA Scholarships CATEGORY PRIZES (2016) TATA Scholarships Payment done by TATA for tuition, registration, purchase equipment, attend international conference /research facility 3 Masters degree R60 000 3 Doctoral degree R60 000 9

The call 10

DST Fellowships & TATA scholarships What documents should be submitted? Certified copy of ID Completed application form, proof of research publication, Letters of reference, Full academic record, certified copies of qualifications; Letter of intent/candidate statement 11

WISA Adjudication TATA & fellowships\wisa CALL for nominations 2016 April 2016 FINAL (TS 4).doc 12

DST Fellowships continues What is the adjudication criteria? Previous academic record Relevance of the research being pursued Evidence of current research excellence in current studies Role in encouraging and supporting young women in SET careers Supporting documents Other indicators of outstanding ability 13

TATA Scholarships continued What is the adjudication criteria? Quality and feasibility of proposed plan of study/ research & time schedule Demonstrable need for the specialised knowledge & skills to be acquired Academic and professional qualification, and publication record. Relevance of the research. Past and present achievements, and candidate s commitment to advance women and girls 14

Winners Nominees and winners are notified and invited to the gala dinner with a partner A video clip and profile about their work is made Profiled in different media & at gala dinner Special treatment with - beauty products goodie bags - interaction with the high level delegates, VCs, Minister, DG 15

Access to the money Deposited into student account May be used for attending or presenting a paper in a local or international conference Publishing a research paper, registering a patent or Obtaining personal equipment to conduct research such as a laptop TATA - Meant to be used for tuition - Payment arrangements are made between TATA, the University and the student 16

Feedback from previous winners..dr Thozama Qwebani-Ogunleye Applied when she was doing a PhD in Chemistry at Wits Winning at WISA pushed me to complete my PhD WISA the engine that propelled me WISA shows that women can achieve merit in science It was an honour and a great achievement to be a WISA winner The money that I received helped me to attend and present a paper at a prestigious international Chemistry conference in China 17

Caroline Pule PhD student at SUN..TB Research Boosted my profile as young women scientist I got to participate in radio interviews and science events to motivate young girls to follow under my footsteps The money assisted me in publishing my research article in a peer reviewed accredited journal 18

Caroline I used the fellowship funds to attend and present my research work at the TB Summit held in London, UK. I plan to use these funds for spend three months at an international research facility in the United States, Atlanta to expand my international experience. For my upcoming 2017 academic registration. 19

Thulile Khanyile Used the money as a supplement to the CSIR scholarship Bought a laptop, storage devices for my data, books and used it when I travelled to a conference. Presented an oral paper at the Nanomedicine workshop in Nante (France) The award exposed me to a network of leading scientists in the country through the award dinner. My profile was elevated to a point where I was approached to apply for various job positions where I ultimately took up a lecturing position at the University of the Witwatersrand. 20

Thulile. I had a lot of media coverage which contributed to opportunities outside of the science and research setting - Profiled and featured by magazines and newspapers -Identified as a Nedbank Talks4 Success Igniter - Attended the SPARK bio-innovation workshop in Stanford (CA, USA) and from this am in the process of registering a start up company for an innovation that seeks to solve an unmet medical need. - I am now a director of the Black, Science, Technology and Engineering Professionals (BSTEP - Sunday Times named her as an influencer to young people and a mover and shaker in their Youth month edition in June 2016. 21

Closing remarks It not just about the money Prestigious award with long term effects on your career We need more applications, especially from former disadvantaged universities and UoTs Get this year s application from and start working on your application Start preparing for your career after your PhD Get involved outside your research project - student societies - other competitions You are a bright spark already.you might need assistance to activate the spark. 22