Young scientists celebrate success in South Africa

The SA-YSSP is a three-month capacity-building and academic training program modeled on IIASA’s successful Young Scientists Summer Program, jointly conducted by IIASA and its South African National Member Organization (NMO). It takes place at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa, during the Southern Hemisphere summer from November to February. This year the program included 34 young researchers representing citizens and residents of 20 countries around the globe, including 24 from Africa, as well as from Australia, China, Finland, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, and the USA. 

During the program, SA-YSSP participants conducted research related to IIASA’s research themes, including risk, governance, energy, climate, ecosystems, water, population, health, and aging.  Each research project was supervised by a team of senior researchers, one from a South African institution in cooperation with one or more from IIASA and its global network.   The program included a one-week seminar hosted by the African Doctoral Academy at Stellenbosch University, as well as a concluding workshop held on 20-21 February, at which all participants presented their projects and results. Many of the young scientists will go on to publish their work in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. 

Group photo of SA-YSSP participants taken during the opening of the program.

Last edited: 24 February 2014