Quest Science for South Africa

04/09/2026

South Africa has never had an official mascot to represent its national space programme. Now, SANSA needs your help to design it.

If you're in Grades 8-11 at a registered South African school, or home school, you're eligible to enter. Simply draw your character, write a short explanation of your idea, and submit it through the online portal by midnight on Monday, 14 September 2026. No design experience required!

The winning entry will become SANSA's official public mascot, appearing at schools, events and outreach programmes across the country. There are awesome prizes up for grabs - and better yet, you'll be forever credited as the mascot's original designer.

Enter now by going to https://mascot.sansa.org.za/

04/09/2026

🌍🌱 SUB-THEME 2: CLIMATE RESILIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 🌦️💧

How can we build communities and water systems that are ready for a changing climate? 🤔

At , emerging scientists will explore adaptive strategies, nature-based solutions and innovative approaches to strengthen climate resilience and protect our environment. 🔬🌿

🌱 Work with nature.
💧 Protect our water.
🌍 Build resilient communities.

Together, let’s shape a more sustainable and climate-resilient Africa. 🚀🌍

04/09/2026

💧🏗️ SUB-THEME 1: WATER RESOURCES & INFRASTRUCTURE 🌍🔬

How do we ensure that everyone has access to safe, reliable water and sanitation — now and for generations to come? 💦🤔

At , emerging scientists will explore the critical role of water resources and infrastructure in building a healthier, more resilient and sustainable Africa. 🌱🌍

From water quality and quantity to investment in infrastructure and innovative technologies, will examine how science and innovation can help deliver equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation. 🚰💡

But it’s about more than people — fit-for-purpose water is essential for healthy ecosystems, thriving communities and sustainable economies. 🌿👥📈

💡 Innovate. Invest. Protect.

Together, let’s explore the solutions that can secure Africa’s water future. 💧🌍

📅 13–15 September 2026
📍 Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha Campus

🔬 — Science shaping solutions for Africa’s future.

04/09/2026

💧🌍 THEME : 🌍💧

This year, the ASSAf Young Scientists’ Conference ( ) aligns with the 2026 African Union theme:

💦 “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.”

Water is life. 💧
Sanitation is dignity. 🚰
Science is part of the solution. 🔬💡

Africa faces significant challenges in securing safe water and sanitation. In 2022, 418 million people lacked basic drinking water services, while 779 million lacked basic sanitation. 🌍

That’s why will bring emerging researchers and innovators together to explore inclusive, sustainable and climate-resilient solutions to one of the continent’s most urgent challenges. 🌱💧

From research and innovation to science advice, science diplomacy and collaboration, puts the spotlight on the role of Africa’s next generation of scientists in shaping a more resilient future. 🚀🔬

🤝🏽 Connect. Collaborate. Innovate.
💡 Share ideas.
🌍 Shape Africa’s future.

At , young researchers will engage with established experts, learn from one another and build collaborations that cross disciplines, institutions and borders.

💧🔬 One continent. One shared challenge. Many scientific solutions.

📅 13–15 September 2026
📍 Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha Campus

🚀 This is . This is science in action.

02/09/2026

We are inviting Information Science students to apply for tertiary bursaries for the 2027 academic year.

Check out the criteria on the advert and visit the link below to download the application form.

https://tinyurl.com/r69jpcnp

The closing date is 30 September 2026.

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

Calls for applications

The CSIR-hosted Southern African Biomanufacturing Training Hub is pleased to announce the commencement of a course titled: “Advanced Downstream Processing for Biologics and Vaccine Manufacturing”, scheduled to begin on Monday, 5 October 2026.

Deadline for applications: 10 September 2026
Duration: Two weeks
One-week online training and one-week hands-on training at the CSIR in Pretoria.

More info:https://www.csir.co.za/sites/default/files/2026-09/Advanced-Downstream-ProcessingforBiologics-and-Vaccine-Manufacturing.pdf

Apply: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=1cXTL7Ld006YA_iWdZKN9PkF8dw1f9pDuHVTnUnjJbJUMjk3Qlk1MlpYUUc1MlVaQkZMNTlLVkZFVy4u

This course is designed to build theoretical knowledge and practical competency in downstream processing technologies used in the manufacture of vaccines, biologics, recombinant proteins and other biopharmaceutical products.

01/09/2026

01/09/2026

📢 Vacancy reminder: Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Science
ASSAf invites applications from outstanding scholars to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the South African Journal of Science, South Africa’s premier multidisciplinary scholarly journal. Click here for more information: https://buff.ly/4vlG9gF
Application deadline: 16 September 2026