DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• BRIEFING TO THE
• SELECT COMMITTEE ON
• EDUCATION AND RECREATION
• 10 JUNE 2003
• NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS BILL, 2002

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OBJECTS OF THE NATURAL SCIENTIFIC PROFESSIONS
BILL, 2002

• Establishment of the SA Council for Natural
  Scientific Professions for the Registration of
  Professional, Candidate and Certificated Natural
  Scientists

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OBJECTS OF THE NATURAL SCIENTIFIC BILL 2002

• Necessary to review the Natural Scientific
  Professions Act assented to in 1993 due to
  certain limitations
• Stipulations regarding appointment procedures of
  Council members in the present Act are made more
  transparent and flexible
• Developments in the tertiary education system
  after 1993, for example the establishment of
  SAQA, are now reflected in the description of the
  Councils functions
• Certain stipulations, needed to ensure more
  efficient management, are added

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FUNCTIONS

• Education and training in the natural sciences.
• Establish mechanisms for registered persons to
  gain recognition of their qualifications and
  professional status in other countries.
•  Recognise any examination or withdraw the
  recognition thereof.

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FUNCTIONS

• Enter into an agreement with any person, within
  or outside the republic, with regard to the
  recognition of any examination or qualification
  for the purposes of the Act. 
• Give advice or render assistance to any
  educational institution, voluntary associations
  or examining body with regard to educational
  facilities for, and the training and education
  of, registered persons and prospective registered
  persons.
•  
• Conduct any examination for the purposes of
  section 20.

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FUNDING

• Receives funds largely through registration and
  annual subscription fees of members.
• Remuneration of council members, committee
  members and officials.
• Fund for the purpose of education and training
• The Minister may with the concurrence of the
  Minister of Finance and on request of the council
  advance or grant to the council, money
  appropriated by Parliament.

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CATEGORIES OF REGISTRATION

• Three categories of registration viz
  professional natural scientist, candidate natural
  scientist and certificated natural scientist.
• Decide on any application for registration as
  well as the period of validity of registration
  and fees.
• Decide on register, keep a register of registered
  persons, update this register, amend the
  register, decide on the form of certificates,
  maintain issuing of certificates.

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FIELDS OF PRACTICE
Hydrological Science Industrial Science Marine
Science Materials Science Mathematical
Science Mathematics Education Science Metallurgica
l Science Microbiological Science Natural Science
Education Science Physical Science Radiation
Science Water Care Science Zoological Science
Agricultural Science Animal Science Biological
Science Botanical Science Chemical Science Earth
Science Ecological Science Environmental
Science Food Science Forensic Science Forestry
Science Geographical Science Geological Science
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REGISTRATION

• Only a registered person may practice in a
  consulting capacity.
• Must be done in a prescribed manner and
  accompanied by a registration fee determined by
  the council.
• Persons may be registered in the 3 categories as
  mentioned.
• Applicant is informed in writing if registration
  is refused.

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CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION

• May take place if the person has been erroneously
  registered, or registered on information proved
  to be false.
• Fails to pay prescribed fees.
• Registration in another category.
• Written request.
• Investigations into alleged improper conduct-no
  cancellation.
• Liable for fee for the period registered.

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RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS

• Submit the framework for the requirements for
  recognition of a voluntary association to the DG
  for approval.
• As soon as the framework is approved, the council
  must determine the requirements with which a
  voluntary association must comply for recognition
  by the council.

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RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS

• Associations that comply with the requirements
  will be granted a certificate of
  recognition-valid for 5 years but may on
  application be renewed for further periods of 5
  years.
• Consult with voluntary associations regarding the
  identification of the type of natural scientific
  work which may be performed by registered persons
  (submitted to DG for consideration)

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GOVERNANCE ISSUES

• Council
• The council will consist of no fewer than 20 but
  not more than 30 members appointed by the
  Minister.
• Not fewer than 12 and not more than 18 must be
  professional or certificated natural scientists.
• No fewer than 4 and not more than 6 must be in
  the service of the state.
• No fewer than 4 and not more than 6 must be
  members of the public.
• Term of office of Council is 4 years.
• A Council member may not serve for more than 2
  consecutive terms of office.

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GOVERNANCE ISSUES

•  Administrative powers
• The council may subject to the approval of the
  Minister and the Minister of Finance determine
  the allowances payable from the funds of the
  council to its members and to members of any
  other committee of the council.
• Arrange for the payment of pension and other
  benefits to any official of the council.
• Funds of the council and keeping and auditing of
  accounts
• Comply with the Public Finance Management Act.

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GOVERNANCE ISSUES

•  Reports
• The council must within 6 months of the close of
  the financial year provide the Minister with a
  report regarding its activities during that
  financial year (open to inspection).
• Provide the department with any information
  regarding a registered person.
• Committees
• The council may establish any committee to assist
  it in the performance of its function, appoint
  members, determine the chairperson.

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CONSULTATIONS

• Other departments, institutions and bodies have
  been consulted
• Grassland Society of Southern Africa
• Liaison Committee of Scientific Societies
  Concerned with Agriculture
• South African Society of Crop Production
• South African Chemical Institute
• South African Society for Enology and Viticulture
• South African Institute of Physics
• South African Institute of Forestry
• South African Society for Animal Production
• South African Association of Botanists
• South African Society for Animal Science
• South African Mathematical Society
• South African Institute of Computer Scientists

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CONSULTATIONS
South African Instuitute of Ecologists South
African Statistical Association Southern African
Society for Aquatic Scientists Southern African
Weed Science Society Southern African Society
for Horticultural Sciences Joint Council of
Scientific Societies Joint Council of Earth
Sciences Operations Research Society of South
Africa Zoological Society of Southern Africa
All national departments