UP academic wins science diplomacy award at South Africa science forum
The award, presented by Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, recognises Dr Heide Hackmann’s dedication to advancing science diplomacy and fostering international science, technology, and innovation (STI) collaboration
A University of Pretoria academic has recently been honoured with a science diplomacy award.
Director of Future Africa, the university’s pan-African platform for collaborative research. Dr Heide Hackmann was honoured in the category of lifetime contribution in international STI cooperation to serve society at the South Africa science forum (SASF2023).
The award ceremony was a highlight of the official opening of the SASF2023 event, at the CSIR international convention centre in Pretoria and presented by Dr Blade Nzimande, minister of higher education, science and technology.
The award recognises Dr Hackmann’s dedication to advancing science diplomacy and fostering international science, technology, and innovation (STI) collaboration.
Dr Hackmann led the successful merger of two international scientific organisations, the International Council for Science and the International Social Science Council to form the International Science Council (ISC).
This monumental project established the ISC as the world’s largest representative organisation for science, promoting collaboration among members from over 140 countries in the natural and social science disciplines.
Dr Hackmann served as CEO of the ISC in Paris from 2018 to 2022 and as executive director of its predecessor organisations, the International Council for Science from 2015 to 2018, and the International Social Science Council from 2007 to 2015.
The Science Diplomacy Awards ceremony, part of the Science Forum South Africa, is hosted by the Department of Science and Innovation and the science diplomacy capital for Africa.
The award recognises individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to science diplomacy, and whose work lies at the intersection of science, international cooperation and partnerships, policy advice, evidence-based decision-making, and diplomacy with a footprint in the regional and global science community.
Hackmann expressed gratitude for the honour.
“It is a tremendous honour to be recognised and be handed this award, especially because it comes from my own country. This recognition underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges.”
Hackmann said she believes in the transformative power of science to transcend borders and shape a sustainable future.
“Thus collaboration – across the disciplines, across countries and continents, and with society is paramount, and will be achieved by shaping and mobilising international knowledge networks and resources for success, as well as capacitating people and systems,” she said.
Hackmann joined the university in 2022 to lead Future Africa, the pan-African collaborative research platform.
She said as part of her vision, she aims to ensure that African research informs and inspires sustainable development globally and that African researchers are provided with opportunities to shape the global voice for science.
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