Message from the Chairperson of the SASUF Symposium 2019 Scientific Committee
The 2nd Research and Innovation Week of the South Africa – Sweden Universities Forum (SASUF) will be held on 6 – 10 May 2019 in South Africa. The South Africa – Sweden Research & Innovation Week (6-10 May 2019) consists of two parts: Satellite events (Mon-Wed) and the South Africa – Sweden Research Seminar (Wed-Fri) that is hosted by the Stellenbosch University in Cape Town (Visit: http://www.sasuf.org) .
The Satellite events (smaller workshops, seminars, symposia, guest lectures, project site visits, industry collaboration etc.) have been organized by individual researchers, universities or other organisations linked to research, education or innovation. These events include students, researchers, industry, NGOs, university management or other relevant groups. Satellite events are taking take place across South Africa.
The Nelson Mandela University, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Human Settlements, the Mandela Bay Development Agency, the Nelson Mandela Bay City, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa other Sweden universities such as Malmo, Uppsala and Lund, will hold a Symposium on 6th May 2019 in the North Campus Goldfields Auditorium, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
The event presents a platform for researchers, professionals and general public to share multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary research outputs and innovative case study projects aimed at systematically responding to the urbanisation challenge through innovations, technology transfer and partnerships. The event is convened under the Theme: ‘Sustainable urbanization through research, innovations and partnerships’, with subsidiary focus areas being: sustainable rural development interventions, urban renewal and re-design, peace and stability, citizen hope and universal happiness, urban economy and business development, nutrition and food security, public spaces and inclusivity. Academic papers located within these topics will be subjected to a double blind peer review process that will culminate into symposium presentations, conference proceedings and (high quality papers) accredited journal publications. Case study innovative projects that are pursued through partnerships will be entertained. A portfolio of collaborative innovative projects will be assembled and their progress tracked in future SASUF Research and Innovation seminars or symposia.
Under the guidance of a Scientific Committee, a multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral Panel of Reviewers to consider academic contributions has been assembled. Abstracts of between 150 and 250 words, responding to one or more selected thematic areas, are invited. Authors should indicate the thematic track (s) that their abstracts are responding to. The Abstracts should entail a problem statement, a clear purpose of the paper, the methodology followed in the study, the key findings, recommendations and implications to the existing body of knowledge and or praxis of the paper. All abstracts should be concluded with a maximum of ten key words or terms that are used quite often in the paper. The author(s) full names, organizational affiliations and contact details should accompany the abstract submission.
Authors will be advised of the acceptance of their Abstracts. Based on this feedback authors will be expected to prepare and submit full papers of not more than 5000 words within the set timeline. Papers that have been recommended by Reviewers and accepted by the Scientific Committee will be presented during the Symposium on 6 May 2019. Authors will be required to effect amendments on their papers taking into account the Symposium feedback. This process will lead to the publication of contributions either in the Conference Proceedings or a special edition of an accredited journal. Contributions that confront head-on the complexities and contradictions of urbanisation are eagerly awaited from emerging and established researchers, industry professionals, development activists and civil society organisations. Presentations on innovative development projects, of varying scales, that are implemented through partnerships are, particularly, sought after to foster exchange and collaboration.
“It always seems impossible until it gets done.” (Nelson Mandela)
Prof Sijekula Mbanga