(AGENPARL) - Roma, 10 Dicembre 2024 - (AGENPARL) – mar 10 dicembre 2024 MEDIA RELEASE FROM WITS UNIVERSITY
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
POLITICAL PRISONER TURNED SCIENCE LEADER AWARDED AN HONORARY DOCTORATE
Dr Rob Martin Adam was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate in Science from Wits University, for his exceptional contribution to the advancement of science, technology, and innovation, and the lasting impact of his work on South Africa’s scientific landscape. The ceremony took place on 9 December 2024, in the Wits Great Hall.
The former Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, Dr Adam was recognised for his distinguished career in science leadership. He has held several prominent leadership roles, including that of Chief Director of Science, Technology and Terminology, as Deputy Director General of Science and Technology, as Director General of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, as the former CEO of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, and as the Director of the Square Kilometer Array.
Prof. Zeblon Vilakazi FRS, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits, and a physicist says: “It is befitting for Wits, a research-intensive university to bestow its highest honour on Dr Rob Adam. He has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s science and technology policies, his vision and leadership have helped to establish the frameworks that drive innovation, and he played a critical role in South Africa’s successful bid to host the Square Kilometre Array, which has revolutionised radio astronomy and high-performance computing. These are some of the reasons why we recognise Dr Adam today.”
Dr Adam’s contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievers Award from the South African National Energy Association. Internationally, he was knighted as Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite by the President of France in recognition of his global influence on science and innovation.
“His work has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also stimulated economic development and capacity building in remote regions,” says Prof. Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Science, also a physicist. “His commitment to freedom, democracy, democratising science and empowerment through science, stems from his early days as an anti-apartheid activist.”
Chetty adds: “Dr Rob Adam’s story is one of vision, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to creating opportunities through innovation. He has left a legacy that will undoubtedly benefit future generations. Congratulations!”
CITATION OF DR ROBERT MARTIN ADAM
Dr Robert Martin Adam was born on 13 September 1955 in Springs, South Africa. He matriculated from Bishops and completed his BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1978. He completed a second BSc (Hons) in 1985, an MSc in 1987, and a PhD all in physics from UNISA while detained and convicted in 1981-1990 as a political prisoner in South Africa. He subsequently held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam in 1992 -1993. He received an honorary doctorate from UCT in 2022 and from the University of Stellenbosch in 2023.
He was appointed Director General of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 1999, and transferred to the new Department of Science and Technology as Director General in 2002. He was appointed by Cabinet as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation in 2006 and was appointed as Group Executive: Nuclear at the Aveng Group in 2012. In 2017 he was appointed as Managing Director of South African Radio Astronomical Observatory.
He oversaw the generation of the South African Science and Technology Foresight Study, established the National Laser Centre at CSIR, co-drafted the Bill to establish the National Research Foundation as mandated by the White Paper, successfully presented the case for funding the Southern African Large Telescope at Sutherland to Cabinet, drafted the South African Indigenous Knowledge Strategy, drafted a National Research and Development Strategy for South Africa, as well as supporting strategies in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and astronomy, oversaw the generation of several Strategies as required by the NRDS, for example, the SA Nanotechnology Strategy, established the Fluorochemical Expansion Initiative at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and successfully presented the proposal to support and fund South Africa’s bid to host the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope to Cabinet.
Dr Adam chaired the Steering Committee for the bid that South Africa won to host the SKA Observatory. He guided the establishment of the SA Radio Astronomy Observatory, and successfully completed construction of the MeerKAT radio telescope on the SKA site near Carnarvon. MeerKAT is the most powerful radio telescope of its kind in the world. He drove the Agreement with the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy on the construction of MeerKAT Extension.
He has received numerous awards including the 2010 Lifetime Achievers Award of the South African National Energy Association. In 2011 he was knighted as Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Merite by the President of France, for outstanding achievements in fostering scientific collaboration between France and South Africa.
He has served as the chair of the Board of Directors of NTP Radioisotopes (Pty) Ltd, as chair of the Board of Directors of the PBMR Fuel Organization (Pty) Ltd, as chair of the Board of Directors of NECSA, and as chair of the South African Steering Committee for the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope. He served as president of the Nuclear Industries Association of South Africa, as a member of the Human Resources Development Council chaired by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, and as a member of the Board of Directors of SKA (Pty) Ltd.
He is a member of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa, a member of the Engineering Academy of South Africa, a fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, and a member of the South African Institute of Physics, amongst other professional affiliations.
He has published many peer-reviewed articles in international journals and books, principally in Nuclear Physics Theory, and has delivered many conference papers on science and technology policy. He has co-authored a book on Science and Technology in the Republic of Chile.
Issued by:
Buhle Zuma
Senior Communications Officer | Wits Communications
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