SAIAB has enjoyed an active and productive year in 2010. Some key milestones include the launch of the Ukwabelana and ROV together with the Elwandle Node, in Port Elizabeth, the completion and official opening of the new Margaret Smith Library by the Minister for Science & Technology, and the installation of a state-of-the-art X-Ray inspection system. We moved the library into the new facility. The administration of the SAEON Elwandle Node has been transferred to SAEON head-office in Pretoria. We received funding for the final stage of the renovations of the building – for which the planning is now at an advanced stage, as well as extraordinary funding for IT infrastructure and for large specimen storage bins in the wet collection. We made significant changes to the management structures including the appointment of Linda Coetzee as our Finance and Operations Manager, and undertook a significant shift in our Communications and Outreach strategy. Our scientists have been very busy with their projects, including field work in interesting areas, and we have practically doubled the number of students in training. Many publications and conference presentations have been made, cruises undertaken for ACEP and ASCLME, and one researcher, Dr Swartz spent four months in New Zealand on a mini-sabbatical. And there is so much more besides. I am grateful to all staff and stakeholders for all of this. The break and rest is well deserved and provides an opportunity to recharge the batteries. This is important because next year promises to be more of the same, if not even more hectic. May you all have a peaceful, safe and happy time.
Professor Paul H Skelton
Managing Director
SAIAB
AQUAzone is the internal e-newsletter of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Five tips to help you spend wisely this festive season
1. Price Comparisons. The most obvious way to save money on gifts is to compare prices in sales ads and on the internet.
2. Coupons. Several retailers offer discount coupons for a single item or an entire purchase. You can find these online or in a newspaper.
3. Pay with cash. Unless you have a credit card with a really good rewards program, you should avoid using your credit cards for holiday shopping,
4. Don't waste your time or money on gifts for people you don't really want to buy for. This just makes the list unnecessarily long.
5. Very important-if you get a gift you don't like, don't, I repeat DO NOT, open it! If you got a floral dish you don’t particularly like or already have, leave it in its original packaging and re-gift it.
Notice Board December 2010
NRF Values Champions of the months Aug-Nov 2010
From left are Naniswa Nyoka, the October Champion for People-centred; Edlyn Wolhuter, the August Champion for Integrity; Professor Paul Skelton; Nokuzola Zabo, the September Champion for Respect and Penny Haworth, the November Champion for Accountability.
Unathi Lwana- Biomaterials Officer
Margie Shaw- Head Librarian
Khanyisile Ngomani– DST/NRF Intern
Poogy Reddy– Senior Laboratory Assistant
We wish you the very best in all your future endeavors!
Promotions
Ernst Swartz promoted to Senior Scientist
Francois Lamont promoted to Senior Technical Officer
Poogy Reddy promoted to Senior Laboratory Assisstant
World AIDS day 1st December 2010
Since 1988, the world made a pledge to stand together for the fight against HIV/AIDS on the 1st of December each year. World AIDS day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education around the deadly, incurable virus. SAIAB staff made food, clothes and cash donations to the Jabez AIDS Health Centre in Grahamstown on 1st Deecember.
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