ABOUT US
The SANi is endorsed by the then South African Department of Science and Innovation and enjoys worldwide support from various international bodies.
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WE ARE THE LEADER
IN INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS
The South African Nanotechnology Initiative (SANi) has become the necessary network for academics, researchers, scientists, engineers and industrialists from institutions of higher learning, the private sector and research councils with the collective goal of involving South Africa in the emerging fields of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience.
One of SANi’s mandates coined by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) when the organization was launched is to manage all “nano” activities across the country. Interestingly, the occasion of the launch of the SANi took place in this very institution, the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) close to 2 decades ago.
Since then, we have organized and hosted numerous conferences, workshops and symposia across the country geared towards promoting this new technology among various groups and communities.
Today, our focus has shifted even to newer and novel fields including advanced materials, nanocommercialization, 4th industrial revolution (4IR) and artificial intelligence (AI).
STARTED IN 2002
SANi was initiated through the initiative of some members of the science community with an interest in nanotechnology.
ENDORSEMENT
The South African Department of Science and Technology encourages and supports this initiative and international cooperation.
We Were started at the University Of Witwatersrand
The call for participation and promise of support, by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), in the European Community Framework Programme 6 offered the opportunity for the first meeting of interested parties, called by Dr Malik Maaza and Dr Phil Mjwara, on 14 May 2002 at the University of the Witwatersrand. From this day SANi has evolved into an initiative that spans South Africa. An interim committee organised a one day workshop which was held on 25 October 2002. At this workshop SANi’s first committee was elected.