Stellenbosch University (SU) awarded an honorary doctorate to the former director-general of the national Department of Science and Innovation Dr Philemon (Phil) Mphathi Mjwara at its graduation ceremony on Tuesday 25 March.
Mjwara received the degree Doctor of Science (DSc), honoris causa, at a graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Science.
He was honoured for his outstanding achievements as science policymaker and advocate, and his exceptional leadership contribution to the strengthening and advancement of science at the national and international level.
Over the past three decades, Mjwara has contributed significantly to the development of South Africa’s system of science, technology and innovation. As the former director-general of the Department of Science and Innovation, he ensured that science was used to improve the lives of all South Africans.
In recognition of his efforts in this role, he received the 2020 Batho Pele Excellence Award for Director-General of the Year.
As part of his many contributions to the country’s science, technology and innovation landscape, Mjwara also led the team who conducted the first South Africa Foresight Exercise for Science, Technology and Innovation (SAForSTI).
In his acceptance speech at the graduation ceremony, Mjwara said we live in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is going to have a huge impact on our lives. He added that we will have to deal with the challenges of AI.
“These challenges will require the skills and solutions that higher education institutions and the scientific community can provide,” he pointed out.
“I, therefore, wish to pledge my support as a newly appointed permanent representative of South Africa to Unesco to continue to work with the science, innovation and technology community to ensure that what we have learned in South Africa about using knowledge for development and science for solving the problems I have referred to is important.”
Mjwara concluded his speech by thanking SU, the science community and his family for their support.
Prof Burtram Fieling, dean of the SU Faculty of Science, congratulated Mjwara and said: “Dr Phil Mjwara is a visionary leader known for his significant contributions to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation within South Africa, the broader region and on an international scale. We celebrate and honour his dedication to fostering the development of science across southern Africa.”
More about Mjwara
Mjwara holds a BScHons (1984) and an MSc (1987) degree from the University of Fort Hare, as well as a PhD (1995) from the University of the Witwatersrand. His academic career included serving as professor of Science and Technology Policy at the University of Pretoria, and teaching physics at the universities of the Witwatersrand, South Africa and Fort Hare.
He has published and presented numerous papers on physics, technology analysis and technology foresight processes.
Mjwara serves on a number of advisory councils and review boards and was recently appointed as South Africa’s permanent representative to Unesco. In his various positions and – perhaps most significantly – as the country’s longest-serving director-general, Mjwara has made a major contribution to science policies geared towards supporting researchers and moving South African society forward.
