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23 October 2020 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied
Prof Johan H Meyer and Prof Hussen Solomon.

Two scholars from the University of the Free State (UFS) are among 31 of the country’s leading scholars and scientists who were inaugurated as new members of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). 

Prof Johan H Meyer from the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics and Prof Hussein Solomon from the Department of Political Studies and Governance were inaugurated as members of the ASSAf during the annual award ceremony that was held virtually on 14 October 2020.

Looking forward to make a contribution

Prof Solomon says he is humbled to be included into the ASSAf family.

“Earlier this year, Prof Neil Roos asked if he could nominate me for ASSAf. This was done in March, after which I heard nothing until last week. What it means to me is an acknowledgment of my cumulative academic career spanning 31 years. I look forward to making a contribution via ASSAf towards the next generation of scholars and scholarship in SA,” says Prof Solomon.

Humbled and honoured

Prof Meyer says he was asked by the top management of the UFS to apply for membership, but his inclusion came out the blue.

“I feel humbled by this inclusion – to be welcomed in a community that is regarded scientifically significant. I never expected to be selected, but I am nevertheless satisfied with the contributions I could make, in particular to the mathematical community. I feel honoured, and trust that I will be able to live up to it for several years to come,” says Prof Meyer.

Serve as role models for younger academics

Prof Corli Witthuhn, Vice-Rector: Research and Internationalisation, said this honour was bestowed upon the two researchers whose work has been judged by their peers to have significant international impact. 

 “We are very proud of the two outstanding researchers who were selected as members of the Academy of Science of South Africa during 2020. They continue to serve as role models for our younger academics in natural science and in the humanities and social sciences who are striving to produce the highest quality research that is relevant to a local and international audience.”

As the official Academy of South Africa, ASSAf honours the country’s most outstanding scholars by electing them to membership of the Academy. ASSAf members are drawn from the full spectrum of disciplines. New members are elected each year by the full membership of the Academy is in recognition of scholarly achievement. Members are the core asset of the Academy and give of their time and expertise voluntarily in the service of society. The 31 new ASSAf members bring the total membership of ASSAf to 597.

News Archive

Tough future if nothing changes in Africa
2015-02-20

 

The Department of Political Studies and Governance at the UFS recently hosted a workshop with the Osaka School for International Public Policy and the Southern African Centre for Collaboration in Peace and Security Studies.

The workshop, which was held on Thursday 12 February, had the theme of Perspectives on African Peace and Security. During workshop sessions, thoughts and views on peace and security were discussed for both African and South African circumstances. This was the fourth year of this joint workshop at the UFS.

Prof Hussein Solomon from the Department of Political Studies and Governance at the UFS shared some notes:

“In terms of South Africa, the fact that only 11% of South Africans have a post-school education holds negative prospects for us attaining a so-called ‘knowledge economy’”, says Prof Solomon.

“This also means that unemployment will continue to remain high since, in certain key areas, the South African economy is quite sophisticated, and needs a sophisticated labour force. Therefore, high unemployment translates into further social unrest, especially if one considers that youth unemployment is approaching 50%.”
 
Moving to broader issues in Africa, Solomon states that governance remains a challenge.

“There is a need to move away from Eurocentric forms of governance to more hybrid forms, implementing a mix of western forms of governance alongside more traditional forms.”

“Otherwise, the probability of conflict remains high as we look into the future. The possibility of water wars between African states is distinct.”

“Terrorism too will be with us for some time to come, with three terrorist attacks per day in Africa. Making matters worse, whether it is conflict over water or terrorist atrocities, is the African Union’s inability to resolve these issues. It simply does not have the capacity”, says Solomon.

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